“Relax,” Randi said, shaking her hips. “That’s better. Now, step back—” Before Randi could finish Cari stepped and landed on Randi’s foot.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” Cari exclaimed.
“It’s okay,” Randi said, squeezing her hand. “Let’s go again. Look down. I’m stepping forward with my left foot while you’re stepping back with your right. We’ll do that twice. Two little steps. Okay, good!”
She looked into Cari’s eyes and smiled. “Now pause. You can either lean forward or step forward one step. There you go. That’s it. Let’s repeat. Ready?”
Cari nodded and looked back down at their feet.
Randi led them through several steps going in the same direction. “Very good,” she said. “Now, look at me.”
Cari looked up into Randi’s eyes and released a big breath. “I’m doing it,” she said through clenched teeth. “Sort of.”
Randi chuckled. “You’re dancing. Relax a little. Feel my hand on your hip and my hand in yours and you’ll know where I’m leading us.”
Cari nodded.
“We’re going to turn a little to the left and dance back by our table,” Randi said. “If you’ll notice most couples are dancing in the same direction so they don’t get in each other’s way.”
“I noticed,” Cari said.
The song ended just as they reached their table. “Thank you for the dance, ma’am.” Randi bowed and smiled.
Cari giggled. “Oh, Randi, you’re too much.”
Randi laughed as they went back to the table. Everyone clapped for Cari when she sat down.
“You did it!” Eden exclaimed.
“I didn’t look anything like you and Randi,” Cari said. “Y’all were so natural and moved with ease.”
Eden chuckled. “We’ve practiced a lot in our living rooms.”
“Yeah, we wanted to fit in when we first moved here and honestly, it’s fun,” Randi said.
“I’m not the best at it, but Eden, would you like to dance?” Tennie asked.
“I’d love to,” Eden replied.
Randi watched as they got up and stepped onto the dance floor.
“Y’all really are good out there,” Analise said. “I could see you from the bar.”
Randi smiled. “It’s so easy with her,” she said, not taking her eyes off Eden. “She likes for me to lead, but I think she’s the one that makes us look good.”
“I don’t know,” Analise said. “You and Cari didn’t look like beginners.”
Cari shook her head. “You’re just being nice.”
“Hey, do you dance?” Randi asked, turning to Analise.
She smirked and took a sip of her beer. “I’ve been known to make a trip or two around the dance floor.”
“Oh yeah?” Randi said with delight. “Care to take a spin with me?”
“Um, we shouldn’t leave Cari here by herself,” Analise sputtered.
“It’s okay,” Cari said. “When you get back I’ll dance with Randi again.”
