Chapter 42

Brad and Jane walk into the place. Immediately, people come up and surround Brad with handshakes and hugs. Jane is on the side, not wanting to take up too much space or interfere. Brad notices she is shying away and reaches over to introduce her.

“Hey everyone, this is Jane Bryden. She is our special guest dancer tonight. You will not be disappointed,” he announces.

A few people welcome Jane, and the woman who owns the house helps Jane with her overcoat.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jane. Brad has spoken so well of you. Thank you for joining us,” the woman speaks with very proper English. “My name is Mary,” she says, reaching out her hand. It is cold, fragile, and thin.

“Nice to meet you,” Jane says, feeling a bit awkward.

“Have you ever been to this island before?” asks Mary.

“No, it’s my first time out of the States,” Jane says innocently.

“Oh, really?” says Mary, a bit disgusted at the lack of culture Jane has just revealed.

“Yeah, I just didn’t have the money, I guess, and both my parents are pretty timid people. It was a big deal for me to move to New York,” says Jane openly.

“Hmm, well, make yourself comfortable, dear,” Mary says, clearly withdrawing from Jane.

Jane feels like she’s said something inappropriate. She goes up to Brad.

“Did I say something wrong?” she asks.

“Not at all, dear. Mary is just a bitch,” Brad responds honestly.

“Oh, okay,” Jane says, feeling comfortable with Brad. Her shoulders drop and she relaxes a bit. She at least has Brad on her side, and based on his status, it is very clear that he is a good person to have in your corner.

Waiters walk around serving hors d’oeuvres and wine. Jane refuses to eat or drink anything because she doesn’t want to be bloated for the dance portion of the evening.

She spends most of her time nodding, smiling, and pretending she’s getting along with everyone. She actually finds them all quite boring. She would much rather go to a room and lie down before they need her to perform. To get out of it, she asks Mary if she can use one of the rooms to freshen up before her performance. Mary fully understands Jane’s need and knows that all ladies need a little powder break every once in a while.

Mary leads her to a spare room and quickly leaves. Jane stands in the room feeling more at ease here than with the party of boring strangers. She looks in the mirror at herself and really likes what she sees—her body, her outfit, and most of all, the pink glow in her face. She recognizes it as the glow of a woman in love. She still doesn’t see what Brad sees, but she will accept it anyway.

Jane starts pirouetting and stretching until she hears a knock on the door. She assumes that it’s Brad so she says, “Come in.”

It’s not. It’s some guy from the party. He walks in boldly.

“Hey, there. We didn’t get a chance to meet. I’m Paul, Brad’s friend,” he says. “You’re Jane, right?”

Jane feels a bit nervous and afraid. She doesn’t know how to respond.

“Uh huh, I’m just practicing, warming up before my show.”

“Oh, right, you’re going to do a little dance for us, aren’t you?” he says. “I like gals in tutus.” He approaches Jane and starts touching her skirt.

Jane freezes. She has never had to deal with an advance from a man she didn’t like before.

“Brad will be coming up soon. I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she says meekly.

“Oh, Brad is a good friend. He shares whatever goods he has with me,” Paul says more directly.

“I’m not a good, Paul,” Jane says. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving now,” she says, starting to walk out of the room.

He grabs her arm. “Where are you going? We were just getting friendly.”

“No, we weren’t. I don’t care if you’re Brad’s friend. You’re not mine,” she says, pulling her arm away.

“Well, Brad and I are tighter than you. He told me you were a virgin,” Paul says.

“What?” Jane looks over to him with anger in her eyes. “How dare you.” She has tears welling up and she runs downstairs.

Brad is there talking to his friends, and she goes up to him fiercely. “I have to talk to you outside, right now.”

Brad can tell she means business and excuses himself immediately. They go out on the patio.

“Who the fuck is Paul, and how the hell does he know I’m a virgin?” Jane says in a pissed off tone.

“Wow, Jane, I didn’t know you could swear. I like it,” Brad says, not taking her seriously.

Jane turns away from him and says “Oh, fuck off. I thought you actually cared,” she says aloud to him.

“I’m sorry, Jane. I really am. What happened?”

“Your so-called best friend, Paul, came into the room upstairs where I was. He started touching my skirt and making advances. I told him off, and he made claims that you and he are tighter than you and I could ever be, and said he knows I’m a virgin. Is this some sick game, Brad? To fuck a virgin?” Jane says loudly, not caring at all if anyone hears.

“Oh my God, Jane, no, you’ve got it all wrong. Paul knows I have a thing for virgins because of my longing for my first girlfriend, who I told you about. I’ve wanted to re-create that time in my life, and a woman who has been with other men just doesn’t cut it for me.

“I’ve been looking for the right woman, and you, well, you are perfect for me. Paul is a dick, and I know that. He’s just someone I’ve known for a very long time. I will address this with him, I swear. I’m just as pissed off that he’d try something as you,” Brad reassures, coming up behind her to comfort her. He takes his coat off and wraps it around her. “Here, don’t catch a cold.”

Jane can smell his cologne on it and turns around. She sobs and falls into his chest. “I’m so afraid I’m going to get hurt, Brad. I just don’t know who to trust.”

“Just trust me, Jane. You can feel my heart, can’t you?” Brad says.

Jane sniffles and nods. “Yes. Yes, I can.”