Page 31 of Last Call Lindy Hop

“Still,” she said, hugging me harder. “It means a lot to me.”

“You’re welcome.”

Amber released me and returned to her own seat.

For just a moment, everything felt normal.

Chapter 16 - Eli

“Hot date tonight?” Josh asked from the other side of the break-room table.

I blinked and looked up from my phone. “What?”

“I asked,” he slowed down in a teasing manner. “If you have a hot date tonight.”

“No. Why would you think that?”

“Oh come on,” he sighed. “You can’t expect me to believe that. You’ve alternated grinning like a fool all morning, and checking your phone. I’m amazed you’ve gotten any work done at all.”

“It’s not a date,” I repeated. “I’m just having a new friend over for pizza and games tonight.”

“Uh-huh,” he deadpanned. “Not buying it.”

“Seriously,” I stated. “That’s all.”

“Prove it.”

I sighed and shook my head, but opened my text chain with Lance and turned it so he could read. “See? We’re just discussing pizza so I can pick it up on the way home.”

“Lance?” he noted. “That’s not a girl’s name.”

“Because he’s not a girl.”

“Well that’s no fun.”

“And my life has to be for your amusement?”

“Well, yeah,” he huffed. “You swear there’s no chick involved?”

I groaned. “No. Just me and him.”

“And you didn’t think to invite me? You know I also appreciate pizza and games.”

“He’s…” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Lance is easily overwhelmed by new people. I just want to let him have a relaxing night.”

Josh studied me, then sighed. “I get it. But invite me too next time, yeah?”

“Only when Lance says he’s cool with meeting new people.”

“Ouch, that’s cold man.”

“Look, talk to Amber if you don't believe me. She knows how skittish he is too.”

“How the fuck does Amber know him?”

“Because we met him at the same place—the one thing you don’t do: dancing.”

“Wait, he doesn’t like to meet new people, and went dancing?”