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“You okay?” he asked when he rejoined her a few minutes later.
“I am. I feel a lot better about everything.”
“I’m glad. Now what do you say we talk business.”
“Sounds good.”
She had no idea what the future held for them but she was sure that she wasn’t going to be just existing and that made her feel really good about her life post-dancing.
The next few weeks flew by as he balanced his new life. He had no regrets about dating Jen. It was turning out to be one of the best decisions of his life. He was finding that he didn’t need to actually date famous women to get their photos in the paper. In fact, the more he included different groups of his famous friends in the club’s events, the more he found that some of them had settled down. And that most of them didn’t miss their old single days.
It was an eye opener for him. He was happy just being with Jen but thoughts of the future made him a little edgy.
For one, he wasn’t too sure about the details of her past and why she left the competitive dancing world behind.
So when Carlos Antonio showed up at Luna Azul and demanded to see Jen one Friday afternoon, Nate felt like he was closer to finding the truth she’d been keeping to herself.
“She’s in a class right now,” Nate said as they stood in the VIP ticket area under the Chihuly glass ceiling.
“I will wait,” Carlos said. Carlos wasn’t very tall and he was slim. He was well-dressed and appeared to be in his early forties.
“Let’s go up to the rooftop club. Jen will be leading the class out there to help open the dance floor.”
“Who are you?”
“Nate Stern, I co-own the club with my brothers. And you are Carlos Antonio, correct?”
“Yes, I am the world-famous dancer.”
Nate rolled his eyes. This guy was a pompous ass from what he could tell. He’d been hassling the girls at the ticket booth for almost forty-five minutes before they’d paged him to come and take care of this guy.
“That’s where you know our Jen from, then,” Nate said.
“Indeed, it is. Have you heard of me?”
Nate shook his head. “I don’t follow ballroom dancing. I’m more into sports.”
He saw the other man flinch. Keeping in mind that this man was probably a friend of Jen’s, Nate thought he should stop needling him. “Sorry about that. I know little of the world of dance.”
“Most people don’t,” Carlos said. “I will go with you to wait for Jen.”
Nate led the way to the rooftop club and found a seat for them both. “What can I get you to drink?”
“Jack Daniels on ice.”
Nate signaled the waitress and placed the order. “Do you live here?”
“No. I’m here for a competition and thought I’d stop by and see Jen.”
Nate wasn’t getting much from this guy. He was glad when the music turned to the familiar “Mambo No. 5” and he saw Jen and her students come out on the dance floor.
She glanced over at him but when she saw who was sitting next to him she lost her ready smile. And her rhythm as the song began. But then she found it again and led the class.
Nate glanced over at Carlos who was sitting back in his chair looking self-satisfied. Nate had the feeling that Carlos had wanted to rattle Jen and that he was pleased that he had.
Nate’s first instinct was to reach over and punch the guy. But he restrained himself.
“Why are you here?” Nate asked.
“I told you to see Jen. We have unfinished business,” Carlos said.
“I don’t think you do. I know for a fact that Jen has left that world behind.”
“Do you? Or did it perhaps leave her behind?” Carlos asked.
“Either way she’s out of it now,” Nate said. He wondered if Carlos was an old partner of hers come to gloat over the fact that he could still dance while she was out of that world. Nate knew men like that. Had encountered more than one player who had treated him that way after he’d been forced to retire.
“I think you should leave,” Nate said.
“I’m staying until I talk to her,” Carlos said. “You can leave me here if you want to.”
Nate did just that. He walked over to the stage and waited for Jen to finish leading the class. He knew she had to go backstage and change into her flamenco costume for the show with Alison in a short while, but this wasn’t something that could wait.
When the lesson was over, she rushed into the dressing room before he could catch her. But as soon as she came out, he cornered her.
“Who is Carlos and what does he mean to you?” Nate asked as soon as they were alone.
“He was…I can’t go into this now. There’s not enough time to explain. Suffice it to say that he’s the reason I’m not dancing anymore.”
