Page 102 of The Dance

As we continued to stuff envelopes, I wondered if Stacey would show up. I thought back to her text, and she’d said she would be in California a few days before the wedding for her last show. Would she come up to San Francisco for the wedding? Would she come alone?

That was weeks ago, and I didn’t text Stacey to ask if she got the invitation. I didn’t want to know.

“Hey, Blake,” I heard my name being purred behind me.

I turned to see Teresa Robinson walking toward me in her sports bra and tight workout leggings. Both black. Both were hot as fuck. “Teresa.” I grinned.

She stopped next to where I was cleaning a floor-length mirror and drew a circle on my shoulder. “Have plans for the weekend?”

My smile turned warm. “I’m going to Tahoe with Brandon and our friends.”

Teresa frowned. “Oh, no. I was going to invite you over for a party.”

“Oh yeah? You’re having a big party for the Fourth?”

“Just some close friends.”

If that were true, why was she inviting me? I’d seen her almost every day at the gym, and while she flirted with everyone, I didn’t know why she wanted me to come to her party.

“Did you invite Jay?” I asked.

Her eyes widened as she probably realized why I’d asked. Jay wasn’t going to Tahoe. It would be Brandon, Spencer, Ryan, Jason and his wife, Becca, and me. “I wanted to ask you first.”

I tilted my head to the side as I smirked. “And if I would have taken you up on the offer?”

“You’ll never know.” And with that, she walked away.

* * *

We arrivedin Lake Tahoe on the third well after dark. By the time everyone finished work, and we made the drive to the cabin, it was already bedtime. Well, at least for most. I wasn’t tired, and while the others sawed logs, I went downstairs and turned on the TV. It didn’t take long before I wasn’t alone.

“Can I watch TV with you?” Ryan asked.

“Of course. It’s your parent’s place, but you can’t sleep?” I asked as she took a seat on the opposite couch.

She shook her head. “Don’t enjoy sleeping alone. Why are you awake?”

The clock on the wall read it was after one in the morning. “Just not tired.”

“Do you normally stay up this late?”

“Hazards of being a bartender.”

“You’re more like the water boy now.” She giggled.

I snorted a laugh. “Hey, now. Brandon is paying me well, and I don’t pay rent. I’ll open my club soon.”

“Do you have a location yet?”

“I do.” At least, I had an idea. One that would be cheap to rent and could get up and running soon. I just hadn’t told anyone yet because I wasn’t sure if it would work out.

“Where?”

“Don’t want to jinx it. How about you tell me why you can’t sleep alone?” I countered.

“You wouldn’t understand,” she scoffed playfully.

“Try me.” I was used to sleeping alone except for a few times I’d slept with Stacey. The first was an accident, but the second time was planned. Both times I hadn’t minded waking up next to her.