Free Finding June by Caitlin Kerry

stage for the creative people to come and share their talents. I couldn’t help but think of what Reece had just told me, about the people you have in your life. This could be a place where you could enjoy the simple company of those who loved, or where you could watch the people of this world.
    In the reflection of the window, I looked back to Reece. “I see life.”
    Reece only smiled at me, his kind eyes giving me comfort.
     

 

     
     
    It took me a few days to talk to Steve, but I felt secure in my decision. I decided to not take the manager position. Steve understood my reasoning and I felt better that I wasn’t letting another person down in my life.
    Later that week, I went in for an all day shift. I had come in around noon and wasn’t planning on getting off till that night. It flew by, and suddenly I looked and it was already six o’clock. Reece was closing, and I saw him walking in the door. He waved to one of his tables that were regulars and smiled. As he walked past me, he squeezed me on the shoulder and said, “Hey, June.”
    I hated to admit it, but I was attracted to him. I had always been, but with his kind words over the last week, despite my bitchy attitude and the fact that I kept pushing him away, he had become harder to ignore.
    I had a few tables when he walked back up front to start his shift, but I still made the effort to say, “Hey, Reece. Pretty busy day, should be a good night.” It was a very friendly statement, and that was my goal … to be friends with him. Unfortunately, after our talk over ice cream, I almost felt we had taken a step back. These niceties paled in comparison to the talks we’d had the last few weeks. Friends , I kept saying over and over in my head. If I kept saying it, I would eventually believe it, right?
    It wasn’t till almost eight that things changed. I wished I could have seen what was about to happen. I wanted to be a bystander in the event that took place, but I was pushed right in the middle of things.
    The restaurant was hopping and all of the tables were full. I was in a smaller section, but had a rowdy table of seven that was currently taking all of my attention. Reece was in the section next to me and moving at a fast pace to get to all of his tables situated. The Shack was a steak house, but wasn’t completely upscale, yet there was still a fun atmosphere. We always had music playing in the background, but I usually never heard it; I had blocked it out after so many years serving. Unless, of course, it was my music playing after we closed.
    I was walking back up front to my seven-top with a pitcher of water, when I glanced up and saw Reece talking to one of his tables. It was so loud I couldn’t actually hear him, but could see his mouth moving. His table started to clap along and talk with him. It was at that point I realized he was singing. I tuned in the song playing on the speakers. It was “Save the Last Dance for Me” by The Drifters. I looked again to find Reece full-out singing along and getting all his tables to join in. Soon the words were taking over from the chatter going on. I stood there motionless, holding the water pitcher in my hand. Reece started to move toward me, singing the song at full blast, a giant smile on his face. My eyes wide, I couldn’t move.
    Suddenly, the water pitcher was out of my hand and there was a hand on the small of my back. Reece grabbed my hand and started to dance with me. At first I was so freaked out I didn’t move, but Reece leaned in and said, “Go with it.” I still had a stunned look on my face as he drifted me along the restaurant. People were hollering at us as we moved along the floor. I couldn’t even believe this was happening. When the instrumental part came on, Reece swung me out and back in as he sang directly at me with a bright smile on his face. Even though this was beyond ridiculous, I couldn’t help but match his grin.
    As the last few notes came to a close, Reece dipped me and