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“Yeah. I guess so. It works for them, so whatever.”
“They sound amazing.”
“They are,” he agrees, smiling at me. “Now, woman, let’s step this up a little.”
I squeal when he spins me out, then dips me when I return. The others stop dancing to applaud. I rarely want the attention of the class on me, but this time, it feels nice. For the first time, it feels like turning thirty isn’t the end of the world.
* * *
OWEN
Am I the nerd who had to learn how to dance like a pro growing up? Yes. Was Mom right when she said it would impress the right woman? Absolutely.
As much whining as I used to do when I was marched off to dance class, I regret none of it now. I’ll wait until later to drop the bomb that I also learned how to box. I have to space my ammunition out. There’s only so much I can impress her with.
“Oh my gosh,” Eliot says as she unlocks her front door. This time, instead of slamming it in my face, she leaves it open for me to follow her inside. “I never knew how hard ballroom dancing is. I’m starving.” I close the door and follow her into her kitchen. “Make yourself comfortable while I throw us together a snack,” she says, pointing to her couch.
I wander over to her bookshelf instead. You know I can’t pass up a library no matter what size. Bookstores are my kryptonite. The bottom shelf is all accounting books, but there are two shelves of fiction and one of history.
Her taste is as eclectic as she is. I’m thumbing through a well-worn copy ofJohn Carter of Marswhen I hear her set something on the coffee table behind me.
“You just ‘threw together’ a charcuterie board?” I ask when I turn around. “Is that smoked salmon?” She shrugs like she’s embarrassed. “My god, is there anything you can’t do?”
“I can’t dance.” She laughs. “Not like you anyway.” She motions me over. I find my place on the couch. She hands me a plate, which I fill with a ridiculously diverse number of snacks. How does she find half of this around here?
“This is amazing,” I add, taking a bite. She smiles her thousand-watt smile. The one that only comes out when she’s truly happy. It’s rare and precious because of that.
“Oh,” she says, jumping back up. “Would you like a beer?”
“Sure.” She hurries to the kitchen and returns with a beer I’ve never heard of.
“It’s from one of the area microbreweries. It’s really good. If you don’t like it though, I have others.”
I take a swig. It’s possibly one of the best I’ve had. What rock have I been living under not to know about this place?
“This is excellent.” She smiles and relaxes slightly. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s nervous. Never did I think I’d see Eliot Caraway nervous. Is it me? “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m great.” No, I don’t think she is.
I finish my plate and stand. “Well, I should go. I have work tomorrow, as do you.” I walk to the door. She follows me. “Tonight was fun.”
“It was. I wonder what we’ll tackle next week?”
“Maybe that grinding you’re so fond of.”
She grows red again.
“Thanks for the dance.” I bend down and kiss her softly on the lips. I don’t want her any more wary of inviting me inside than she already is. I can pull out the manners.
“It was good,” she says when I pull back.
“The dance or the kiss?” I tease.
“Both?” I laugh, and she closes the door in my face again. Doesn’t matter this time. Date number two was perfect.
ten
ELIOT
