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Deep bass pounding through the speakers, which were set on either side of the back porch interrupted the bickering. A long table had been dragged into the backyard. Mateo had erected a light linen canopy over it and strung up fairy lights. Bessie scurried back and forth with plates of food. Faith, Courtney, and Lisa started dancing on the makeshift dance floor.

“Grub‘s up. Dig in!” Bessie hollered.

Half the crowd started piling plates with food, while the other half danced and laughed. Molly stood back, leaning against the porch, observing. Carmen, Mateo, Enid and Faith had injected energy into the ranch and everyone in it. Thinking of them not being there tomorrow was a hard pill to swallow.

“Drink?” Carmen asked quietly, leaning on the porch next to her, offering a bottle of beer.

“Thanks.” Molly took a long draw, her eyes fixed on Faith, laughing loudly as Mateo spun her around.

“He’s an idiot, but he loves that kid,” Carmen commented, her eyes fixed on Faith and Mateo as well. “She’s given us a sense of purpose, I think.”

“She’s happy.”

“Are you?” Carmen whispered. Their bodies close. If it weren’t for the fact Molly could see other people around them, she would swear they were completely alone. It was always that way when Carmen got close. Everything evaporated until it was only them.

“I will be,” Molly answered honestly, her eyes drifting from the party to Carmen.

“Carmen,” Enid screeched, causing them both to jump. “Get your ass over here and dance with me. Mateo has told us you have moves for days.”

“Jesus,” Carmen hissed. “I’m going to shave his eyebrows off tonight,” she muttered, pushing off the porch and making her way to Enid.

Molly’s mouth watered the second she spotted Carmen’s hips sway. And then something fucking fantastic happened. The music changed as Mateo swept in, claiming Carmen. Together they danced, their bodies moving in perfect synchronicity. Was that a salsa?

Out of the two, Molly would say Carmen was the more masculine, even if Mateo was dashing. He was effeminate but now, as they danced. Carmen transformed, her hips swaying as Mateo led her perfectly. Everyone at the party stopped what they were doing and watched.

Molly’s eyes never left Carmen’s ass. Swaddled in short tight black jean shorts, sumptuous butt cheeks peeked out, not entirely covered by the denim. In just a few days of Californian sun, Carmen’s skin had turned a rich brown. Holy fuck!

But then it got better. In between twirls, Carmen reached up and untied her hair. A cascade of black silk tumbled over her shoulders. Molly was completely mesmerized.The dance was perfection and left Molly literally weak at the knees.

Raucous applause snapped her back to the party. “Holy shit,” Enid called, “that was fantastic. Teach me,” she bellowed, grabbing Mateo. The music started again and everyone fell about in hysterics as Mateo tried to teach Enid the steps. Molly couldn’t fully appreciate the hilarity because her head and her libido were still firmly on Carmen Ruiz.

“Wanna try?” Molly sucked in a breath when she realized it was Carmen talking to her, offering out her hand. Molly loved to dance, but this felt dangerous. Of course she couldn’t refuse—not when she was met with chocolaty pools of goodness. Carmen’s eyes were a deadly weapon. Instead of verbally answering. She nodded and took Carmen’s hand.

As she moved into Carmen’s body, Molly knew something had shifted. There was no denying the attraction, not when both Carmen and she were almost visibly vibrating with anticipation.

???

The gentle breeze was a welcome one as Molly slipped away from the party, sweating. One salsa lesson turned into hours of dancing. Hours of having funny feelings towards Carmen as her body danced close to Molly’s.

Taking a break was the only way Molly could stop herself from making a fool of herself. She didn’t miss Bessie and Enid’s eagle eyes firmly trained on her and Carmen as they danced. For once, the duo were probably on the mark. Molly’s thoughts had been less than child-friendly.

“Where are you sneaking off to?” Enid asked from the shadows of the work shed. Molly let out a scream and almost fell over.

“Crap, Enid, what the hell?”

“I saw you heading off on your own. Just wanted to make sure you’re okay, love.”

“I’m fine, just needed a break from dancing and the night is so lovely I thought a walk would be good.”

“Fuck, that’s a long-winded ass way to say you needed to get some space between you and Carmen before you humped her on the dance floor.”

Molly stood looking at Enid, dumbfounded. “Um.” Great rebuttal, Mol! “No.”

Enid tipped her head back and laughed maniacally. “I love it when I’m right.”

“No,” Molly repeated.

“Oh stop. The heat radiating off the two of you was scorching. Stop fighting it. Do you want my advice?”