Page 49 of Clumsy in Love

They sat side by side, letting their breathing return to normal. Lady approached and licked Holly’s cheek, making her giggle.

“I’m fine, girl,” Holly said. “’Cept I can’t lift my arms. Could someone put that beer to my lips?”

Cole laughed and shoulder-checked her. “Not bad, Bennett.”

“Where’d a city boy like you learn to swim like that?”

“Vacations to the Jersey Shore. You?”

“Swim team. I also lifeguarded during the summers of high school and college.”

The excitement died down, and they ate a late picnic dinner of fried chicken, coleslaw, and biscuits. At dusk, they returned to town.

Fat patio lights lit up the plaza, and a band played country music on the little wooden stage. People were dancing and drinking and laughing. Cole’s expression said he still hadn’t gotten used to this close-knit community vibe.

“Is this a hoedown?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Holly chuckled. “I mean, I suppose you could call it that. You don’t have dances in New York?” She pronounced “New York” with a thick East Coast city accent.

“Sure we do,” he said. “They’re just all up in the club.” He pumped his hands in the air, palms up.

“You don’t seem like the party scene type.” She narrowed her eyebrows in doubt.

“Eh. You’re right. I’m more of a work and sleep kind of guy.”

“Time to let your hair down. You wanna dance? The two-step is basically a waltz. Sophisticated man like you surely knows how to waltz.” She smiled.

“As a matter of fact, Smarty Pants, I do know how to waltz,” he said, standing and holding out a hand. “At least, I did when my mom taught me at ten.”

They weren’t the smoothest of dancers, but it sure felt good to be in his arms. He held her close, and she didn’t complain when he quit trying to keep up with the steps, pulled her in tight, and just swayed.

“It’s nice to dance with someone so tall,” he said.

“Ditto,” she said. It was oddly satisfying to have to look up to him. “Looks like you got a little too much sun.”

“It’ll turn into a tan by tomorrow.” He looked over her shoulder. “Uh-oh. Incoming.”

She turned around to see Rick storming up to her. She tried to pull away from Cole, but he held tight.

“I thought this guy was supposed to be protecting you?” Rick said, flicking a hand toward Cole.

“He is,” Holly said calmly.

“Why does it look like you’re on a date then?”

Holly stared blankly until she finally realized he was serious and wanted an answer.

“What do you care, Dick?” Cole butted in to ask.

“My name isRick,” Rick ground out. Cole shrugged. “And one week ago, we were engaged.”

“And?” Holly said. “You’re the one who upended that. Where’s Shelby?” She’d heard it through the grapevine that was who he’d dumped her for.

“Shelby and I didn’t work out,” Rick said.

“Too bad. She’s so short.” Still in Cole’s arms, she felt the rumble of his silent laughter against her chest.

“This doesn’t look good,” Rick whispered. He’d lowered his voice after people started to stare.

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