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His mind raced. She was listening to the teacher and hadn’t seen him yet. Maybe he could slip away without causing a scene. But the teacher clapped her hands, couples paired up, and tango music blared.
Maybe he could manage to avoid dancing with Becca. If not, he could at least refuse to speak while they danced. His first partner was one of the younger alumni. He was shocked when she danced much closer to him, repeatedly rubbing her body against his.
“Spencer.” He heard the teacher’s amused voice over his shoulder. “Now you see how you really dance the tango. It is the dance of love. Don’t look so frightened.”
He recovered from his shock enough to finish the dance and moved to the next partner, who was an older woman, a newbie, like him. He was grateful her dancing was much more tame in comparison to the first girl.
Then Becca was in his arms.
“Spencer?” Her eyes were wide and innocent, but he didn’t believe it for a second. “What are you doing here?”
“Taking dance lessons.”
She danced with him like the other younger girl had, maybe even more suggestively. “Spencer, let’s get together after class. I’ve got some great moves to show you.” She twirled in his arms and lifted her leg high, totally exposed by the slit in her dress. Then she pushed her body against his and slid down his leg, before rising again just as suddenly to fling her arms around his neck. He flinched and closed his eyes, as she pressed her lips to his.
“What are you doing?” He peeled her arms away and gave her a furious shove. “What are you doing?”
“Only the tango.” She pushed her lower lip out in a pout. “But we could do more, if you want.” She lifted her arms toward him.
“Stop it, Becca. I’m not interested in anything you’re offering.”
“What do you mean?” Her voice was indignant. “I’m talking about dancing the tango. What are you implying?”
“I’m not implying anything. I’m telling you straight out I’m not interested in you. I’m in love with Emily.”
“I don’t know what you see in that skinny witch!” she spat out.
He felt rage building inside and struggled to control himself. Other people on the dance floor had stopped to listen to the angry exchange. How he wanted to punch her in the face. But instead, his voice trembling with rage, he told her, “You aren’t worthy to be in the same city with her. Not even to be in the same state or country!”
He spun around and stomped out the door. His dance lessons were over.
*****
Emily tried to concentrate on the little ball she was supposed to hit with her racquet. But the noises were so loud, echoing in the room, bouncing off the walls, reverberating in her head. With every loud bang of the ball on the racquet or hitting the wall, she flinched, closing her eyes. Invariably, she swung and missed, often being pummeled by the ball as it bounced off the wall. She wanted to curl up into a small lump and hide in the corner.
Josh shook his head as she jumped and squealed, rubbing her leg where the ball had bruised her. “Emily, I don’t think this is working. Tell me again. Why are you trying to learn to play racquetball?”
“Because I thought Spencer and I could play together if I learned how.”
He chuckled. “Why is it you’re always injuring yourself in an effort to please Spencer when it’s absolutely unnecessary?”
“That’s not true,” she said, annoyed at the petulance in her voice.
“But it is true. Did he ask you to learn how to play racquetball?”
“No.”
“So, it was all your idea. Right?”
“No. Charlie suggested it.” His face contorted with pain, and she regretted saying her sister’s name. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t going to talk about her.”
He grimaced. “As much as it hurts, I’m still hungry to hear about her. Is she... Is she okay? Is she dating someone else? I really need to know.”
“Josh, I shouldn’t talk about her.”
“Please,” His eyes dropped, and his shoulders slumped in defeat. “She won’t talk to me or write me back. Does she hate me that much?”
“Josh. I’m so sorry. She doesn’t hate you. But I told you she might not give you a chance. I know it’s not fair.”
