Over the past year, there had been one guy outside of our friend group who’d worked up the courage to ask me to slow dance when Ed wasn’t around. He had a military haircut, stood about  6’ 1”, and seemed to be a bit tortured. His name was Nathaniel “Natty” Barnes. We had flirted,  especially when Ed and I were on the outs, but, to me, it was harmless.  

During the insanity I dubbed ‘the cheating fiasco,’ he began spending more and more time around me at Buckles. Back in late October, he’d asked me to be his date for a Christmas party on post. Since I was dealing with the trauma and drama of Ed at the time, I said sure. I was genuinely happy to accept. He was nice to me, he looked at me like he saw perfection in me, and he made me laugh.  

I wish I had taken mom’s advice and never spoken to Ed again. Sadly, I did the exact opposite.  

When it was all said and done, between my lunacy and his cheating, that was enough for the girlfriend to go back to her ex and for Ed to come crawling back to me. Since I still hadn’t learned my lesson, I took him back. 

When Christmastime came, Ed was none too happy that I was going to a party with Natty. He knew Natty liked me.  

In the few weeks we’d been back together, Ed had been very attentive. He always had his arm around me, announced to people that I was his woman, like I was some carnival attraction, and would not let me couple’s dance with any guy who wasn’t his buddy. He was overcompensating and being possessive.  

However, I’d made a promise to Natty. Despite my recent behavior, which I was not proud of,  everyone knew my word was better than any written contract. I apologized profusely to Ed, for some unknown reason, and told him I’d come straight to Buckles after it was over. I was scared of losing him again and frightened of making him angry. It was so unhealthy, but my limited experience in adult relationships, my sheltered and naïve view of the world, and my desperation to never know what it feels like to be cheated on again made me the perfect doormat. 

I asked Natty if I could meet him there. I wanted the extra time to get ready. I’d bought a cute blue dress with rhinestone snowflakes around the bottom of the knee-length velvet skirt. A silk ribbon separated the top from the bottom and tied in the back. The top was lace that formed a  sweetheart neckline and was long-sleeved. Underneath the lace was a corset-style bodice with ribbing from one side to the other. The back of the dress was open. The bodice piece stopped at the sides and dipped into a low band that sat right above the small of my back. The lace followed the outline. I’d found some adorable open-toed, shimmery blue kitten heels that matched perfectly. With my hair full of bouncing curls, I settled in for the hour-long drive to the party.  He had told me ahead of time what to do to get on post, where to go, and that he’d be waiting for me under the front canopy of the Officer’s Club. I had never seen him wearing anything other than a t-shirt or western shirt, jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat. So, when I approached the front of the building, I did not recognize the handsome man in his Marine dress blues as Natty. For the first time, I saw him. I couldn’t help but see him. He exuded confidence, strength, and hotness in that uniform. I smiled as his eyes met mine.  

He seemed to be quite taken with how I appeared as well. Like me, he’d only seen my  Western attire. Tonight, I looked like I stepped off a fashion runway, or at least in my head,  that’s how I felt. His blue eyes shined in the light as he stared at me intently. He was looking me up and down, I could feel his perspicuous analysis of my dress, my body, and the way I moved.  

If I didn’t know it before, I knew it now; he wanted me. How is it that I had not really given this guy the time of day? I treated him like every other guy in the club. Had the blinders been on that tight? Had my madness over Ed caused me to miss other, more worthy opportunities?  

I couldn’t think like that. I had fought hard to get Ed back and he was waiting for me back at the club. It’s just the uniform, every guy looks good in a uniform. Our eyes were still locked. I  shuffled my thoughts and just as I reached the edge of the walkway; he held out his hand to help me step up.  

“Well, good evening, beautiful.” Oh, his voice. Deep, sincere, and low. I could feel the strength in his hand as he made sure I didn’t trip in my heels. “You look absolutely amazing. Not  that you don’t always look amazing, but tonight…wow.”  

My hand was still in his and with a gentle flip of his wrist, he guided me in a full, slow spin so he could take in the view, the complete view. “I’m going to be the envy of every guy here. You  are exceptional.” 

I was blushing, smiling, and falling.