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His eyes widened. Marriage was not his main priority, but the thoughts had crossed his mind more frequently. “Miss. Adele, I haven’t met the woman yet.”
She slipped him a curious glance. “I know you will. I’ll tell Victor you said hello and I’ll get back with you about the photos.”
Another customer came through the door, so Cole waved goodbye and exited the building. His heart nearly stopped at Miss. Adele’s words. It ran through his mind like a runner on a track field. Would that happen for him?
****
Leah bounced on her toes in the dance studio. She didn’t plan on running into Juan and Gia on her girls’ night out with Gemma, but the couple had stopped by the table to say hello. The husband and wife team had only been living in Piedmont Valley for the last two years, and their dance school was already popular. After Gia mentioned their salsa classes would start soon, excitement raced through Leah. Despite the fear twisting in her gut, she reserved a spot in their class.
Leah wrapped her arms around herself. Her list was coming along. She recalled how she had chosen the stationery next to her refrigerator and tore off a page, then snatching up a pen to jot down her thoughts. What do I want? In answer, she had written out a list:
Expand my online business (check LOL)
Change my hair color (maybe highlights)
Change up my workout routine. (Pilates?)
Read… 100 books (I always wanted to read the classics)
Ride a horse (say my prayers before I do that LOL)
Take salsa lessons
Leah had leaned against the counter and sighed, mentally preparing to write something that mattered—something for her, not a goal.
Take myself out on a date
Get to know me again
She had drawn in a long breath. Taking herself out—sitting at a table by herself—made her cringe inwardly. Could she handle the stares of everyone? Would they even care? Leah rubbed her forehead. This was about her. Before she got into another relationship, she wanted time alone. A dating hiatus.
With her list still in hand, Leah had strolled to her bedroom. She sat on her bed and glanced up at the ceiling. Being single? While her list of exes was a short one, Leah had never went too long without a boyfriend. Being by herself would be new territory. Was that what she needed? What if the person she needed to fall in love with first was herself?
Leah rubbed her palms together. As she stood in her low heels and dance attire, Leah observed Juan and Gia carefully. They practically flowed across the dance floor, their bodies moving together as one. Leah wasn’t the only new student in the class. She recognized Mr. and Mrs. Clancy, the owners of the local bookstore, and Aisha and her husband Darius, former classmates of hers. Leah greeted them with hugs, seeing as the women were regulars in her boutique. The class faced forward, all seeing themselves in the floor-length mirrors lining the wall.
Juan pointed to his feet. “We will start in what we call a neutral position. Walk forward on one step and walk back on the other. Your steps will be in place.”
Leah followed Juan’s instructions as she mimicked the steps. Then she observed when he took Gia in his arms. They showed the basic steps to the class together. Leah’s eyes sparkled.
Juan led his wife back and forth on the dance floor. “As you can see, I clasp her right hand with my left, while my right hand is on her back. I call this closed position. I give her a slight push to let her know we’re going backwards, and then a slight pull for her to follow me forward.”
Leah noted the steps in her mind.
“So, you have your partners. We’re going to go over this first part with some music.” Juan gave a thumb up to the disc jockey in the back of the dance studio.
Leah turned to face her dance partner, Luis. Embarrassment stirred in her first. Dancing in public was definitely out of her comfort zone. However, she relaxed with the chivalrous middle-aged man and clasped his hand. He had signed up for classes to surprise his wife for their anniversary. He put her at ease as they listened to the instructors, and Luis led her into the basic steps.
Leah grinned. “Nice job, Luis.”
His eyes lit up. “So far so good. My wife says I have two left feet.”
Leah giggled as they moved back and forth. Fresh energy filled her. While it wasn’t the first thing on her list, she didn’t feel ready to ride a horse. Still, she called Lee’s Dude Ranch two miles out of town. She had visited there a few times as a kid, but hadn’t been back since her high school graduation. It was next on her list.
“Alright,” Juan continued. The disc jockey lowered the music. “Next is a simple right turn. We start in the same neutral position, but on the two count, we’re going to point our right foot in the opposite direction. Men, you will lead the lady with your left hand and create a half of circle leading her into the turn.” Juan and Gia showed the turn to the class.
Leah slipped Luis a curious look. “Did you get all that?”
He stared at their instructors. “I hope so.”
