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Shit. I hadn’t talked to her like I had with Cody. I had been too excited. “I should’ve told you first. I worked as a burlesque dancer for many years.”
“Cool,” both Sutton and Aggie said.
Vienne twisted some of her bracelets. “And you’re worried I’d be upset?”
I nodded. “People have different reactions.”
“Oh. God, Catherine would think that was so cool.” She shook her head. “No, my dad always repeats that old saying about opinions.”
“What old saying?” I sifted through my brain and came up short.
Aggie raised her hand. “Opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one.” I snorted a laugh, but she kept going. “Only my daddy used to say ‘if I wanted to hear what an asshole thought, I put my ear under a horse’s tail.’”
Sutton chortled. “I heard him once say that to one of the neighbors.”
“No worries. I’ve seen you work with the younger kids, and you’re good with them.” She traced a finger on the tabletop, tentative. “Actually, Catherine’s been talking about how you and the neighborhood kids are doing the performance—”
“Oh, I won’t be dancing.”
“Why not?” Genuine confusion filled her eyes.
I glanced from her to Aggie to Sutton. They stared back expectantly, waiting for a valid reason why I wasn’t dancing with the kids. It was almost likethey wanted to see me perform. “I don’t think it’d be received well.” No understanding lightened their gazes. “Because of what I used to do? People don’t understand it.”
“The burlesque thing?” Vienne asked, perplexed.
“Even if I do a completely separate dance, some might worry, and I don’t want to upset anyone. I’ll keep it just about the kids.”
Aggie pressed her elbows against the table. “Do you have a recording of your routine? I bet it was amazing.”
Sutton sighed wistfully. “I can barely two-step. I had to rely on Wilder to basically drag me around the dance floor. I’d love to be able to dance.”
That was an easy fix. “I can teach you. As long as I’m here. What do you want to learn?”
She smiled. “The street dance basics—swing, two-step, Texas two-step, maybe a couple of line dances so I don’t need a partner.”
“Got it. Let me know when you’re free.” I turned to Aggie. “Did you know your brother can swing dance?”
She got a faraway look in her eye. “Maybe? He’s ten years older than me, so it wasn’t like I was at the bars with him.”
Vienne began tapping the table again. “I’d like to pole dance.”
Delighted, I grinned. I hadn’t expected the harried mom to ask about pole dancing, but it was like finding out your new friends liked pineapple on pizza as much as you. “I can teach that too.”
Her eyes lit up. “You can?”
“It’s an excellent exercise. You can get a tension pole for your house. I don’t know what you’ll get in before I have to leave, but you can learn some on your own too.” Could I pack a lifetime of friendship into a month?
She gave me a knowing look. “But will I without you there to hold me accountable?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, that’s sometimes the hardest part.”
“I’d love to learn too.” Sutton’s cheeks flushed red. “I need a different exercise than wrestling kittens.”
“Too bad you aren’t staying in town.” Aggie flicked the tab on top of her can, her expression sly. “You’d have a full class just for pole dancing.”
“Word is already out that you give kids dance lessons,” Vienne said.
“I really do miss teaching kids.” I smiled at Vienne. “Working with Catherine is a treat. Older kids who are brand new can still do more than the littles. They learn the steps quicker and advance faster. I know I’ve only worked with Catherine twice, but she’s doing so well.”
