Finding Me by Mariah Dietz

cocky, making me laugh and shake my head “…we’ll take that step.”
    “You don’t know me to like me.”
    “I know that you have four sisters, so you either have the patience of a saint or have some serious fight in you. I know that Maxwell adores you, which speaks volumes because he doesn’t like anyone.” The exaggerated assessment of Fitz makes me laugh again. “And I’m very attracted to you.”
    “You know, there are a lot of girls here that would be a lot less complicated.”
    “I haven’t noticed anyone since you walked in.”
    My eyes are stuck between wanting to roll at his remark and widening at his sincerity when my chair rocks.
    “Okay, I ordered. Busty blonde seems on it. She really wants another chance with you.” Fitz sings the last few words as he settles in his seat, placing a hand on my shoulder to silently apologize for running into my chair, seemingly unfazed by Danny’s close proximity to me.
    “Your turn to save me,” Danny says, grinning.
    I look up to see the blonde waitress approaching with a look of determination.
    “Wait until the food comes. I don’t want her spitting in it,” Fitz hisses, nodding to Danny’s empty chair.
    Danny laughs and turns to return to his seat. As she arrives, her face gives way to her relief as she wedges herself between Danny and Fitz, so that I can barely see her. “Hey, Danny! Your order is in. I just wanted to see if there was anything else that you guys need?”
    Danny quickly glances over to Fitz and me, and I try to discreetly gesture to Fitz’s water glass. He turns back to the waitress and smiles but leans back on his stool.
    “Could we get some more water?”
    The crowd drowns out her reply as they yell and cheer in unison, but I catch the hint of her smile before she turns and wades through the crowds. Fitz leans forward and says something to Danny that I’m not able to make out over the residual noise, and my eyes scan over the back of the bar where a group of men are acting like cajoling monkeys.
    As the noise begins to recede to a loud hum that allows me to make out the sounds of Fitz’s and Danny’s voices, a curtain of screams and squeals erupt. I turn in my seat to see several women shoving through the tables, followed by a chorus of objections from the patrons.
    “Shit,” Danny groans. I look over to see his eyes scan over the bar.
    “Alright, H, help him out,” Fitz says, tipping his water glass back to empty it in one gulp as though it’s something stronger.
    “What am I missing?”
    “Harper, please don’t slap me. We’re only friends. I know that, and I’m sorry to use you.” The words flow quickly from Danny’s mouth as he rounds the table.
    “Danny, I love you!” The screaming declaration breaks my attention for a moment as I look up to realize the intention of these women.
    Danny’s hands slide along my jaw on either side, and before I can stop it, or question if I want to stop it, he kisses me.
    The bar erupts in catcalls and whistles as Danny’s arm slinks to my back, and he dips me slightly as his lips move over mine for several moments.
    “Thanks,” Danny whispers in my ear as he rights me. His hand brushes along my hair, tucking it behind one ear, as he somehow seems to manage to smile even broader.
    Danny moves his stool beside mine as we watch a few men and some officers that have appeared to escort the women out of the bar. Thoughts and emotions work to break through the tiled façade I’ve buried them under. I keep them at bay by finishing my beer as our food arrives with a man that apologizes for the inconvenience, offering us more drinks that we decline.
    When we finally stand up to leave, Danny accompanies us. It takes an exorbitant amount of time for us to cross the small bar with people approaching Danny, pleading for autographs and pictures.
    “Alright, handsome, I think much more and you’re going to lose your friends.” A large, bald black man appears, his voice deep and husky as