Page 98 of The Singles Club

I sent one back.

Maybe we really could pull this off. After last night, there was no doubt that I was in love with him. The question was whether or not I could finally make a relationship work.

* * *

Justin

Leo was not at all what I expected. He was edging fifty, but fit, with a full head of brown hair that was only starting to grey at the temples and in his goatee. He looked like the rugged type who spent a lot of time outdoors. None of us wanted to look downward and make him uncomfortable.

“I know you all want to check out my bionic leg.” He lifted his gym shorts up to give us a better look. “I’m 50% Italian, 25% French, 25% Cyborg, and proud of it. I even have a metal plate in my head.” He winked. “I love to mess with TSA agents with that one.”

I liked him immediately and was glad Vivian had asked me to help with this.

“So, ah, who is the poor sucker stuck with the task of giving me some sense of rhythm?” he asked.

“All three of us,” Vivian said. “Katerina’s the instructor.”

“Alright, I’m yours for the next hour.” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together.

“What music will be playing at your reunion?” Katerina asked.

“We graduated in ’89, so I’m guessing most mid- to late-eighties hits.”

“Well, you won’t be dancing every song, and you’ll probably be able to make requests,” I said. “Maybe we should think about learning some moves to a slow song you like and then something more upbeat?”

Leo nodded. “Not a bad idea. Can we start with the slow one first?”

“You have a song in mind?” I asked.

“Penny likes those eighties duet love songs.”

“‘Somewhere Out There,’” Vivian chimed in. “She loves that song most.”

“Fievel the mouse. I remember that movie.” Leo smiled. “Then that’s our song.”

Katerina nodded to me. “Show him the stance for the waltz.”

I walked up to Leo and helped with his posture, bringing up his right arm. “You hold the palm of her hand like this.”

Leo leaned back a little, wincing a bit. “We’re not dancing together, right? No offense, but, uh, you’re not really my type. I prefer guys with mustaches and bare chests.”

I laughed, taking a step back. “No, just helping you with the set-up.” I looked over at Vivian. “Would you mind?”

“No, of course not.” She clasped her hand in his, and I showed him where to put the other.

“You should probably hold her a little closer,” Katerina said. “You won’t be doing the waltz at your reunion, but it would be good to get down some basic moves.”

Leo held Vivian closer, and we showed him the steps. He moved awkwardly with his prosthetic when the turn came and tilted off balance. “Sorry. It’s been a while since I’ve been this close to a woman. I think it’s giving me a stiff leg.”

Leo had managed to do what Vivian and I could not—get Katerina to crack a smile. I think I even heard a hint of a chuckle.

I watched while Katerina gave instruction, and Vivian danced with him. She put him at ease with the whole thing, and that beautiful smile of hers lit up the room.

When the hour was up, we made plans with Leo to come in again tomorrow. Katerina offered to stay later to go over our dance routine at no extra charge, but of course I would pay her for it. We had the first half down to a tee, but once we got into the soft shoe paired with spins, especially in the finale, we were a bit of a mess and needed a lot of work. Well, it was mostly me who needed the work. After Katerina left, we stayed and practiced until the studio closed.

On the ride home, Vivian held my hand, and we talked about Leo and Penny.

“I’ll understand if you’d rather go to the reunion with Becky on Saturday,” I said. “We can always pick another night as our official first date before you leave.”