Page 14 of How Sweet It Is (Willow Shade Island #3)

I stand next to Amelia as Rita starts teaching the rotating box step. My fingers tingle where her soft skin touched mine, and my heart is racing. I had no idea dancing with Amelia was going to feel so exhilarating.

I’ve been taking dance lessons with Rita for two years. Lisa made fun of me for enjoying what she called “old-time dancing,” but I didn’t care. I love the classical music, and I quickly picked up the steps. It allows me to forget all my failures and lose myself in the movement.

Rita turns the music back on, and Amelia’s eyes grow wide. “I can’t do those steps,” she whispers. “I was just getting used to the other way.”

“You’re doing great,” I say, reassuring her and taking her hand in mine again. “Just follow my lead.”

Amelia stumbles a little, but I give her signals, and she quickly adjusts to the small turn in the middle of the steps. “You’ve got it,” I say quietly.

We dance for another minute or two before I feel her relaxing and getting into it.

She grins at me. “I’m shocked to say this, but this is fun.”

I’m relieved to hear her say that. “Really? Because my ex thought this kind of dancing was lame.”

Amelia raises an eyebrow. “Your ex?”

I could kick myself for bringing up Lisa. Why in the world would I tell Amelia about her? But I can’t sidestep it now. “Yeah, the last girl I dated. She made fun of me for liking this.”

“Wow.” Amelia’s gaze softens. “Sounds like she wasn’t the right person for you.”

I swallow, not wanting to admit that. I really liked Lisa. She laughed at my jokes and was the kind of person who embraced the joys of life. She didn’t take things too seriously. I loved that about her.

“How long ago did you break up?”

“About two months ago.”

Amelia gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. It looks like the breakup was hard on you.”

I nod, my throat growing tight. I have dated a lot of girls, but Lisa was special. I felt like we connected on a deeper level. So her words to me really stung.

You’re just a loser. You’ll never amount to anything.

The guy she dumped me for is in his last year of medical school. He’ll be a pediatrician soon. And what will I be? A failed business owner?

Amelia squeezes my hand. “Hey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked about your ex. I ruined the dance high you were on.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Dance high?”

“Yeah, you had this look on your face, like you were floating on clouds. And I messed that up. Now you’re back to looking like Eeyore again.”

I laugh at that. “Eeyore? Was I really that gloomy?”

“Oh yeah. You were even gloomier. Eeyore after getting a paper cut.”

“Ouch.” I can’t stop laughing at that image in my head. Luckily, Rita stops us and shows us how to do the walkaround turn, and we have something else to concentrate on.

As we go back to dancing, I pay attention to Amelia’s facial expressions. She’s getting into the flow and enjoying herself. She’s actually learning the dance steps and not laughing at me. It’s making me extremely happy.

Amelia isn’t tall, blond, and glamorous or all eyes and flirtation like Lisa was. But she’s real. Focused. And she’s not treating me like I’m a joke. And I have to admit, there’s a sizzle between us.

My finger involuntarily caresses Amelia’s back, and her gaze snaps to mine. Does she feel what is happening between us? That intangible pull that makes me want to take her into my arms and explore her lips?

I look into her brown eyes and take in the way her hand feels in mine and the way she’s staring at me, with that look of curiosity. I want to crack a joke, but I force myself to stay silent. To experience this moment as the music moves us around the dance floor.

All too soon, the music stops, and the lesson is over. I have to let go of Amelia. It feels weird now that I’ve shared something so personal with her. I didn’t think about it before I brought her here, but now I don’t know what to do with my hands.

Rita invites us to come to her studio on the weekends for her dance party. I don’t want to see how Amelia reacts to that. For some reason, I’m suddenly shy and slightly embarrassed that I carted her off the island to my secret place.

Amelia elbows me. “Thanks for bringing me here. When I first suggested dancing, I thought you’d take me to some loud club.”

“Is this better than a club?”

She smiles, and it changes her whole face. “So much better.”

My heart swells, and I want to pull her to me and kiss the top of her head. I refrain, though, because she’s my employee, and I don’t think she would like that. But I’m seriously happy Amelia likes this dance studio. I never had the courage to bring Lisa here. I knew she’d hate it.

“I’m glad you had fun.”

Amelia slides her jacket on and pulls her purse off the hook. She turns to me, sliding her hand over her hair. “I think my hair is falling out of my bun.”

I bite my lips together, because she’s totally right. Strands of her hair are falling down, and it’s kind of messy looking. But I honestly love it. Amelia needs some messiness in her life.

“Not really,” I lie, holding back a laugh.

“You liar. It’s totally falling out.”

“Okay, maybe a little. Just there.” I point. “And there.” I point all over her head. “And there.”

She grabs my finger, pulling my hand down, but she doesn’t let go right away. It lingers for a second before she breaks contact. “Very funny. I’m sure I look like a disaster.”

“Not so. I think it’s cute.” I pause and look at her. “ You’re cute,” I say quietly.

The words are out before I can stop them, and I worry I pushed it too far. She’s the one insisting that she can’t date me. That we stay professional.

But those lines are blurring, and I’m afraid I’ve started liking Amelia a little too much.