The dance floor cleared when it was time for the slow dance. A few of them trotted back to their seats but most of them remained on the dance floor, grabbing a partner to slow dance with. Miguel and Bianca were on the dance floor, swaying slowly to the music. Vino and Lily were dancing too. She whispered something to him that made him laugh. Meanwhile, Brian and Jeff walked back to our table.

"Aren't you going to ask someone to dance?" I asked them.

"I need a breather," Brian replied, holding up his hand and panted exaggeratedly.

"That's what you get for going all out earlier." I smirked, and Jeff laughed and agreed with me.

"Party like there's no tomorrow. That's Brian's motto when it comes to parties."

"Kane, don't worry. I am going to dance with you," Brian assured me.

I smiled and nodded. "I know that."

Jeff removed his camera from his neck and started clicking on some buttons.

"May I see your shots?" I asked.

"Sure," he answered, pulling his chair closer to mine.

"Kane, may I dance with you?"

I looked up in surprise, seeing Noah extending his hand to me. I exchanged glances with Jeff and Brian who seemed just as surprised as I was.

"Sure," I responded and stood up from my seat.

I never imagined Noah to be my first dance but here I was swaying to some old love song with him.

"The party's going well, don't you think?" he asked.

"Yeah, it is."

"Uh..." He cleared his throat and asked, "I hope you don't mind if I ask you. Do you have a boyfriend?"

I chuckled. "What? Why?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to know."

I glanced past him and saw Vino looking uncomfortable as he loosened his tie. Lily laughed and playfully hit him in the arm.

Noah craned his neck to look behind him.

"Didn't you date anyone after Vino?" he asked.

***

4 years ago

I had stared at my reflection as I contemplated if a floral dress looks better on me than a t-shirt and denim cut-offs combo. But I had decided to go for the latter.

I returned my dress inside my closet at the same time my phone beeped. It was a text from Gab. He was arriving in a few minutes.

"This is it," I whispered to myself.

It was the moment of truth—my first time introducing a guy to my family, except for Daddy who wouldn't be home for the next two months.

I walked and hurried to the front door to wait for Gab. After a few minutes, he arrived like he said he would.

He was carrying a bouquet of roses and a box of cake.

"These are for you," he mumbled before kissing my cheek.

"Aw, thanks. You didn't have to," I responded.

"I'm meeting your mom and sisters. Of course, I have to."

He handed me the roses and I led him inside the house where Hadley was waiting in the living room.

"Gab, that's my sister, Hadley," I began introducing them to each other. I widened my eyes at Hadley to prompt her to greet Gab when I saw her hesitation.

"Hi. It's nice to finally meet you," she said with a forced smile.

"I've heard so much about you," Gab replied. "Your sister said you're an artist."

"Make yourself comfortable," I requested. "I'll go get Alex and Mommy."

I sprinted to the kitchen where the two were preparing our lunch. Mommy wiped her hands with the kitchen towel before acknowledging my presence.

"Is your boyfriend already here?" she asked.

"Yes," I answered.

Alex gasped and hurried to my side. "Ahhh. We're finally meeting him."

I squealed but tried to remain quiet. "I know. It's happening."

"Alex, go and meet Kane's boyfriend. I'll finish up here," Mommy suggested and Alex and I left the kitchen.

When I returned to the living room with Alex, I noticed that Hadley was silent and Gab was trying to carry the conversation. I knew something was off considering it was Hadley. She always had something to say to everyone.

"Hadley, can I talk to you for a sec?" I asked.

When she was inches away, I pulled her into the nearest room.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Nothing," she replied, avoiding my eyes.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Don't you like him?"

"I just don't feel him yet."

I raised my eyebrows from surprise. "Why? But I like him and he's a good guy."

She nodded, finally locking eyes with me. She twirled her curly locks with her finger—a mannerism I thought she had forgotten already.

"Does he play sports?"

I shook my head. "But he plays the flute."

She scrunched her nose and looked like I said something disgusting.

"What?"

"Nothing. But you like him and he's going to be a doctor like you, right?"

I nodded. I had no idea where our conversation was going but it hurt a little knowing that my sister didn't like Gab. I knew that much.

"He's not that tall and he doesn't have brown hair or brown eyes."

My face fell when I realized what Hadley was thinking about.

"He's not half Australian," I answered. "He's a good guy. I promise. You just have to give him a chance and get to know him."

She stared at me for a few seconds before finally agreeing. "Okay. You love him so I will get to know him better."

"Thank you."

I had known my sisters liked Vino and Hadley had looked up to him as a big brother the first time she met him. It had hurt knowing that Hadley was having a hard time warming up to Gab because she still thought about Vino. But I had known I couldn't blame her. Vino had been a part of our lives and he would always be.

***

I cleared my throat. "I dated in college."

"Oh, I see..." Noah responded, sounding unsure.

"How about you?"

"Dated in college as well but now I am single," he answered.

I glanced at Vino and accidentally locked eyes with him for a brief moment and he gave me a small smile before looking away.

I sighed.

"You still like him?"

"What?" I asked.

"Vino."

I looked Noah in the eyes. His face was serious as he stared back at me.

"Vino and I are still good friends. We haven'thung out much but we're good."