Page 6 of The Dance

“What is it?”

“Long Island. That’s what you ordered the night of your twenty-first, right?”

“You remember?” I grinned and nodded before taking a sip. I vaguely noticed my friends coming into the room as I continued to talk to Blake.

“To be honest, I wasn’t completely sure.”

“Well, you’re right.”

He tilted his head to the side as he thought. “And you’re a Cougar, right?”

“Yep.”

“And,” his gaze roamed over my body, “minoring in dance.”

“Yep,” I said again. “I’m surprised you remember.”

“I’m not just a pretty face.” He smirked.

“I guess not.” I chuckled. “But it’s still a shock. I’d think you meet a lot of chicks every night.”

“I do, but none of them have the moves you have.”

My brow furrowed. “Moves?”

“On the dance floor.”

“You saw us?”

“Oh, yeah. They’re teaching you good stuff at UH.”

“Not all my moves were taught there.” I winked.

Blake smiledthatsmile, and my belly didthatthing again. “You need to show me what else you can do.”

“Maybe after two of these.” I took a sip of the strong drink.

Blake handed me another cup, so I had one in each hand. “Drink up, toots.”

3

Blake

As we were getting closerto summer and the weather was heating slightly, Jimmy hosted more parties at his house. His parents didn’t care as long as he cleaned up the place when everyone left. He tended to keep everyone outside, which was smart, but given the unexpected storm, he let his closest friends in.

Stacey and her two friends danced on the pool table in the basement of Jimmy’s parents’ lake house. Their hips swayed to the bass of the music, putting on a show for us. I didn’t know what type of dance she was learning in school, but if I had to guess, it wasn’t the sultry one she was doing on the billiards table to get my attention, winking and biting her lip when she would look over at me. It was working, though.

“Who are you eyeing?” Dylan asked me.

“Stacey. You?”

“Molly.”

“I’m down with Grace,” Adam chimed in.

“Nah, I got Grace,” Jimmy stated.

“Seems you two are going to have to fight it out.” I snorted.