Page 26 of You Spin Me

“Happens. Especially when you burn the candle at both ends, as my mother says.”

“Do you still want the tickets for tomorrow?”

“Oh yeah. Dancing is good for you.”

“Is that a prescription?”

“Of course. Haven’t you ever had a doctor tell you to dance more?”

Under the raspiness, there’s a giggle in her voice that has my heart rolling over and begging for more, so I go for a joke. “When you’re as clumsy as me, most doctors tell you to dance less. In consideration of others. To avoid injuries, you know.”

“Nobody’s that bad.”

“You haven’t seen me dance.”

“Will I get to Saturday? Am I going to get to meet you, finally?”

The flirt in her tone, it’s like the melody in a romantic comedy soundtrack. It may be for me, but how long can I keep stringing her along? “Things get pretty crazy in the booth, but I’ll put your name in for—do you know how many people?”

“Four, if that’s okay. Including me.”

After double-checking that she has directions to the club, I make my escape before she can ask more questions. “I’m going to have to go; I’ve got stuff stacked up here. But I’ll see you Saturday.”

I’m playing with fire here.

She wants to meet. I want to see her.

I know she’s got to be gorgeous. She’s an actress.

There’s no future here.

Especially once she sees me. Pity or revulsion. I can’t take either. But I guess there’s a part of me that holds out hope.

If I see her, watch her with other people, maybe I’ll get enough of a sense to know if she’d be okay with dating someone like me. Maybe I can somehow woo her enough with my voice that—

Who am I kidding? I just want to watch her dance.

JESS

Saturday night my friends and I navigate the creepy downtown area where abandoned buildings seem to outnumber places still in business, only to find that the line leading to the club is so long it snakes around the corner.

Randall moans. “That is one long line.”

Mike, full of energy as always, bounces on the balls of his feet. “Don’t be a wuss. We’re on the list. Jess here knows somebody. We can cut.”

Becky, wide-eyed as ever, asks, “Is that fair?”

I hook one arm in hers, one in Randall’s. “Cal said he’d get us in. If we can’t skip the line, we’ll do something else. I’ve missed you guys.” I shiver, wishing I had the confidence to choose warm tights and boots instead of heels and stockings.

Randall puts an arm around me and pulls me closer. “You forget it’s winter?”

“I’ll warm up as soon as I’m dancing.”

“If we get inside.”

“Enough with your whining, old man,” Mike turns around and walks backward a few steps as he taunts Randall.

I stick out my tongue at him. “Enough with your talk about old men. I’m as old as he is.”

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