The One with the Kiss Cam

by Cindy Steel

And when Duke held his hand out behind him, his fingers beckoning to me like a lifeline, I took it.

The fun, spontaneous actions of others are what drove me to a life made up of barriers and lines and boundaries.

No. I wasn’t embarrassed by the work. I was embarrassed by my life.

A sigh escaped me at the relief it was to feel hidden.

His eyes could not contain any more delight. His cup was full.

There was no way I would be giving up this opportunity.

The urge to both cry and dance across the room to the loudest version of Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” hit me hard, though I resisted. Even if I was fired tomorrow, I had lived through two romantic-comedy moments this morning, and I couldn’t help the smile that crossed my face.

His words spoke of friendship. Of kindness. Of…trust. Which terrified me more than any other sensation.

You don’t have to do everything on your own. You can let people help you, you know.”

There are moments in our lives that can shape us. Define us. Make us who we are.

I leaned back in my chair, suddenly craving popcorn.

Too bad I was a glutton for punishment, because I was quickly discovering that I wanted all the sweet discomfort that came from being too close to Duke Webber.

enjoyed seeing a handsome man with a crisp white shirt and tie. Of course I did. But his clothes today spoke more to my soul than all the ties and dress shoes ever could.

My first instinct was to say no. It was always no. Fun meant idleness when I should be working.

Duke liked to tease, but he was a gentleman. I knew that. I wasn’t nervous to get in the water with him for any safety concerns.

There was something so vulnerable about closing your eyes for a person.

The light bristles from his face marked my skin, causing my breath to catch and my footing to stumble. This moment felt like coming home in a way that didn’t quite make sense. He held me with such sweetness and care it almost made me ache.

I had been right. Whatever came next, I knew this had been a moment not to be missed.

I wasn’t sure why Duke’s grandmother was the person I decided to bare my soul to, but here we were.

“Hope and fear like to think they can occupy the same space, but there is only room for one. It’s up to you to decide.

Nobody can predict the future. We can only do the best we can.

“The point is, reward takes risk. Life is messy. People are messy. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but oftentimes, it can be even better than perfect.”

We drove for a while in the quiet, his hand on my knee and my heart on my sleeve.

the fear began to quiet once more as hope burrowed its way through my chest. A dichotomy of light and dark, dancing and swirling until I was left dizzy with emotion.

There was a truth and a gentleness radiating from him that spoke peace to my soul.

The audacity of Duke Webber. If my life were a romantic comedy, that would be the title.

It was humbling. To have someone give something without first taking. My family needed me. They loved me, but they needed me. Duke didn’t need me. He wanted me, and that made all the difference.

Fear had ruled so much of my life. It was time to let hope have its day.

How many years had I lived in fear of the one thing I had hoped for more than anything else?