‘Thank you,’ Sophie said. ‘For what it’s worth, I’ll credit both of you and give you a glowing review. It’s been so much fun, even if I’ve stepped on Mike’s toes a million times.’
‘I don’t mind,’ Mike said gruffly, moving them both back into a starting position. ‘My toes are at your disposal.’
‘That’s the spirit,’ Javi said. ‘Okay, let’s go from the top, people. And, one, two, three!’
The social took place in an open room, with a scattering of high-top tables along the edges. A live band was on thestage, already playing the first song. Mike had gone to grab them both a cocktail from the bar while they took a breather before joining the other dancers. There were people of all levels dancing, some from their beginners’ class from earlier, some experienced, all of them there to have a good time. The lighting was dim, most of the light coming from colourful hanging lanterns.
Mike joined her at the table, depositing her drink in front of her. ‘Your “These Hips Don’t Lie”, which I am convinced is almost entirely tequila, so I’m recommending caution.’ He pulled a bottle of water out of his pocket, placing it next to her. ‘For hydration purposes.’ He fished out his own bottle of water and set his cocktail down, something with a lime wedge on the rim.
‘What did you get?’
‘ “La Noche”,’ Mike said, taking a sip. ‘Don’t ask me what’s in it. I’ve already forgotten.’ He took a bigger sip. ‘But it’s delicious.’ He offered it to her, eyebrow up.
She handed him hers, trading for sips.
Mike tasted hers, eyeing the drink suspiciously. ‘I’mcertainthat’s pure tequila. I watched him make it. He barely waved a lime wedge over it. Why is it so good? Last time I drank straight tequila, I coughed so hard I almost sicked it back up.’
‘Really? When was that?’ she asked, sipping more of her drink.
‘Uni,’ Mike said promptly. ‘So admittedly, we were drinking the cheapest tequila we could find.’
‘Not exactly the best representation of its kind, then.’ Sophie laughed. ‘Well, this is good tequila. It makes a difference.’
‘One point for getting older,’ Mike said. ‘You can afford the good alcohol.’ He snapped open his water bottle, taking a healthy swig.
They fell silent for a few minutes after that, sipping their drinks while they both rested their feet. Sophie enjoyed watching the dancers, taking a few short videos while they waited. Even sitting at their table, she was having a good time. Mike was a relaxing companion, and she didn’t feel the need to entertain him.
She liked watching the other dancers, some of them making the same missteps she’d made earlier. Once they’d finished their drinks, Sophie found one of the couples from their class and asked them if they’d mind taking some videos of her and Mike dancing for a few minutes. She offered to pay for their drinks, but they waved her away.
Mike escorted her out onto the floor, getting them into position and putting a hand on her hip. ‘Do you ever worry about anyone stealing your phone?’
‘Not really,’ Sophie said. ‘I mean, it’s possible, but what else am I going to do? I can’t always get someone to go with me. People have lives and I can’t afford to hire an assistant.’
Mike peered down at her, his hand moving to the small of her back. They were so close she could smell his cologne, his sweat, his breath that held a hint of lime. Heat unfurled in her belly, spreading fire rapidly through her body. How was it that the smallest touch from this man could do this to her? She thought back to the early days with Andrew and couldn’t remember feeling anything like this.
‘If you need someone to hold your camera while you’re here, call me,’ Mike said gruffly. ‘Please.’
She blinked up at him. Sophie knew comparing Mike to her ex wasn’t a great idea, not if she wanted to banish Andrew from her mind permanently, but she couldn’t help it sometimes. Her husband – ex,ex-husband – had never helped her with the blog. Not once. He’d never shown even an iota of interest in it. So Mike’s offer felt a lot like . . . a gift. ‘Really?’
The song started, Mike leading her in the opening steps. ‘Of course. There’ll be times when I have to work, but I’d be happy to help.’ He spun her into a turn, pulling her back against him like they’d been dancing like this their whole lives. ‘I’m having a great time.’
‘Even though I’ve been stepping on your toes and sweating through this dress?’
‘Turns out I’m very into those things,’ Mike said. ‘We’ve discovered my secret fetish.’ He leaned in, pulling her tighter against him as they moved, trying to be heard over the music. ‘Besides, I love this dress.’
She wrapped her arms around his neck, her body feeling warm and fluid as they moved, either from her relaxing into the dance, or the tequila. He stared down at her, their eyes locked as they moved, no longer paying attention to words, not thinking about their feet or the steps, simply feeling. It felt like magic, a warming glow of a moment crystallized in slow-moving sap, hardening into a memory that would last the ages.
Then the song ended. The world snapped back into focus, slapping her with reality. They stood for a second, frozen in each other’s arms. She saw the muscle in Mike’s cheek twitch, like he was clenching his jaw, and she felt his thumbs trace down the back of her dress. Then he stepped away from her, eyes lowering. ‘I’ll go and get your phone for you.’
She let him go, all her unsaid words bunched in her throat.
Two more cocktails and an untold number of dances later, they left the social. Sophie’s sides hurt from laughing, the magic of the night weaving its spell far beyond the dance floor. It was getting late, and she knew Mike had to work in the morning, and yet . . .
‘I don’t want to go home yet.’ The words fell out of her mouth unplanned, but she didn’t regret them.
‘I think,’ Mike said, tipping his head up at the sky, ‘we need food.’ He frowned for a minute. ‘Hold on. Don’t move.’
He disappeared back into the bar, coming out a moment later. ‘Okay, I’ve got a plan. Trust me?’
