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My gaze drops to my lap when a frown overtakes my face as I remember how purposeful my life had felt back then.
“Lita got sick, and her care was…I mean, her careisexpensive. Reality took over, so now I guess dancing for anyone else reminds me of a dream that died.”
Silence hangs heavily between us for a weighty beat until Alex lays his hands atop my clasped ones. The simple contact sends a wave of unmistakable calm through every inch of my body, and for some reason that I can’t fathom, this man’s touch centers me enough to stop my rising emotions in their tracks.
“The sunshine after the storm has passed will be all the sweeter if you can learn to dance in the rain.”
I raise my head at those words—words that speak to my soul—to find those beautiful eyes of his trained solely and intently on my face. Our gazes hold for endless minutes, time seeming to stand still.
My breath quickens as his eyes darken to a deep brown to match my own until Darcy’s voice calls out from the back room, and I sever the connection, quickly averting my gaze.
“There’s an old jukebox over by the restrooms if you fancy taking her for a spin around the floor, pretty boy.” She chuckles loudly enough to be heard despite the distance. “I’d pay good money to see you attempt it.”
I begin to shake my head, but Alex springs from his stool with an enthusiasm reminiscent of Fifi, the Golden Retriever I’d had as a kid.
His strides eat up the distance in mere seconds. He reaches his destination before my body catches up with my brain, and I slip from the stool to speed walk after him.
“What was your favorite dance?” He glances at me, then continues to scan the song choices before him.
“I’mnotdancing today.”
He turns to face me as I reach him, his expression more than a little sheepish, and I can already feel my resolve waver.
“Okay, so hear me out.” He tilts his head to the side, sending me the biggest puppy dog eyes so that all I can do is nod as I press my lips together to stifle my rising smile.
“I was born with two left feet. Without an ounce of rhythm in this most perfect of bodies.” He shrugs as he brushes non-existent dust from his chest, his lopsided smirk growing by the second. “I mean, I’m not perfect, but I’m damn near close.”
My smile splits my face, lighting me up from within as he gently grasps my upper arms. “Teach me some simple steps, and I’ll beforeverin your debt, Reyna.”
I exhale heavily through my nose, narrowing my eyes at him. “Fine. You win. Somesimplesteps, purely because I could use some comedic relief, Leftie.”
He leans closer with a self-congratulatory smile. “I’m a fast learner, I’ll have you know.”
I shake my head before moving around to stand beside him.
“I’ll be the judge of that statement.”
He looks down at me, all signs of mirth gone from his face, now fully prepared to learn, and I feel a small hum of excitement building in the depths of my stomach at the thought of dancing again.
“We’ll start with the box step, and once you have that, we’ll take that spin around the tiles.”
He nods succinctly, and we both turn our focus toward the floor.
“Okay, so your feet will step like this. Forward on your left, to the side with your right, and bring them together.”
I show him what I mean, and he copies me after a beat.
“Now, you’ll repeat the movement, but like this. Back with your right foot, to the side with your left, and then bring them together.”
I shoot him an encouraging nod with a smile, and this time, he executes the steps instantly.
“Very good. Now let’s repeat.”
A handful of full turns later and Alex sends me a smug grin before he turns back to the jukebox, looking through the music in his apparent readiness.
The day has taken a sharp turn, and the constant smile that’s plastered to my face is all down to the man with the time-turner.
My misery most definitely loves this guy’s company.
