Page 12 of The Second Dance

Bo

Like a glutton for punishment, I pull the chair out next to Andy and slump down beside her.

I’m still pissed about the Warton field and her damn songbirds. But I’m rational enough to know it’s my mom I should be mad at. Andy’s just doing her job.

She was always like that. That responsible classmate, the one you wanted in your group projects because they’d do all the work.

She was hot back then, too, but in a sexy bookworm sort of way. None of the girls had a body like hers and she had a pretty decent fan base back then. We used to call her Fraulein, a name that sprang from a very fortuitous ninth grade heritage project. We were all supposed to dress up like our ancestors and Andy Reed, in her curvy glory, rolled up in a German milk maid costume. I think the male student body aged a few years that day.

If they could only see her now. I think all four of us are a little gob smacked. Even saintly Josh, who only has eyes for Erin, did a double take when he spotted her. The baby fat in her cheeks melted and rearranged itself, turning a pretty girl into a stunning woman.

I’m trying not to care. Trying to slow this racing heart down. She tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder, sending a little cascade of scent rolling over me. She smells sweet. Like vanilla and peaches. I wonder if she still uses the shampoo she used back then. That brings back a few very visceral memories that stokes a flame in my belly.

I shift, adjusting my jeans to hide the effect she’s having on me.

Andy, for her part, is very busy ignoring me. She’s turned her attention on Joshy, peppering him with questions about Erin, going gooey eyed over the pictures on his phone of baby Belle.

That gives her points in my book. Belle is my favorite person in the whole world.

Whitney and Skyler are reminiscing about the country cover band that used to play at the old ballroom.

It was a favorite pass time, one of theonlypass times in a small town. We’d all go down to the dance hall on a Friday night to dance with the girls.

Skyler is leaning back, shining that smile on poor defenseless Whitney. “I remember you always knew all the steps to the line dances.”

She blushes. “You remember that?”

He tips his head, turning to look at Andy. “But not you. How come you never came out to dance, Reed?”

She shrugs. “Not my scene.”

“Andy hates country music.” I say automatically, earning stares from five people. But there’s only one set of eyes I can focus on. Deep blue. “She hates the songs, but still knows every word.”

Dusty grins mischievously. “And how would you know that?”

“I took her for a ride in my truck once.” This is dangerous territory. But I can’t seem to stop myself. My heart races out of control. “After prom.”

“Oh, right.” Dusty says. “Remember that gold dress?”

Andy’s gaze flicks to his. Surprise and irritation swirl in her eyes. “That was years ago.”

Skyler shrugs. “Everybody remembers that dress.”

Andy’s cheeks color, and she abruptly pushes her chair back. “I need another drink.”

We watch her go, trading embarrassed glances.

Whit sighs. “She’ll be okay. She just has a hard time with teasing.”

“Who’s teasing her?” Dusty asks. “That dress was hot. It’s burned into our collective memory.”

Whit frowns, biting her lip. “Maybe I should go talk to her.”

“I brought prom up.” I say, pushing my chair back. “I’ll do it.”

Andy doesn’t look up at me when I come to stand next to her at the bar. She leans both elbows on the bar. “Is this what it’s like for you?”

“What do you mean?”

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