Page 84 of Love is a Dance Step
Drew lifted an eyebrow. It wasn’t often he wasn’t recognized, especially when Jo was there with her distinguishable hair. “Drew Stone, Noah Clarke, and Jo Jackson.” Brooke, Lola, and Nolan wouldn’t have their names on the list other than as plus ones.
The man did a double take. “Forgive me.” He crossed off their names. “Yes, yes, I have you at the senator’s table, table one.” He snapped his fingers, and another man appeared. “Take their coats.”
The six of them removed their coats and loaded him up before he scurried away.
“Follow me.”
They followed the man down the hall into a grand ballroom with gigantic marble-framed windows that looked out over a pond. Tables cluttered the room with high-backed chairs and white tablecloths. On one side, a stage stood in front of a wooden dance floor.
“It’s beautiful.” Brooke grinned up at him. “Like a dream.” He imagined she was one of those girls who dreamed of fancy things, princes in expensive suits and forks made of gold.
“Or a nightmare,” Lola muttered, probably hoping no one heard her. But he did, and he couldn’t stop the grin from overtaking his face.
Guests lingered throughout the room, dressed in their finest clothes. Each plate at this dinner cost ten thousand dollars, so these weren’t mere mortals. When Drew visited Gulf City, he could almost forget the decadence surrounding every other part of his life. Everything there was so normal he didn’t have to think about the kinds of circles a rock star must live in.
At least here, he wouldn’t be accosted by fans. These kinds of people would consider such behavior beneath themselves.
Senator Warner stood near the stage, but he spotted them across the room. “Drew,” he boomed in the jovial way that always made Drew forget the kind of power he had and exerted. As one of the leaders of the senate, few questioned him. He said something to his companion before breaking away, a giant smile on his aged face. Gray hair had been combed to the side to hide the baldness that started when he was much younger.
He approached Drew and stuck out a hand. Drew took it, surprised when the senator pulled him into a back-thumping hug.
“It’s good to see you, Senator.”
“Son, how many times do I need to tell you to call me Bill? Now, please introduce me to these beautiful ladies.”
“Bill.” Drew smirked. “This is Noah.”
Noah, playing along, curtsied.
The senator let out a booming laugh. “I meant the pretty ones.”
A laugh popped out of Lola, drawing Drew’s gaze toward her. He should have introduced his own date first, but the words slipped out before he could stop them. “This is Lola Ramirez.”
Senator Warner bowed to her. “It is a pleasure, darling.”
Drew gestured to Jo. “Jo Jackson, but you already know her. Her date is Nolan. And this is Brooke.”
“Welcome to my party, dears. Our table is near the front. Go find yourselves a drink, and don’t forget to have a good time.” He gave them a smile before gesturing for Drew to follow him. Once they were away from the others, he stopped. “You’re on in an hour. Just… remember this is a classy affair.”
“You mean you don’t want me to strip?”
Senator Warner gave him a withering look. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“Ah, no shaking my butt up there. I promise, Bill, I won’t dance. I don’t think the prim and proper ladies here could handle it.”
“Probably not.” He laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it.” He smiled before walking across the ballroom, winding around tables. He reached the group as a waiter arrived with champagne flutes filled with a pink drink.
“I’m going to need lots of these to get through tonight.” Noah took one and held another out to Lola.
Drew snatched it from him. Few people on the tour knew just how young Lola was, but even if she was legally allowed to drink, that wasn’t her.
Lola didn’t say anything about the drink, but her brow furrowed.
Downing the drink in one go, Drew set the empty glass on the table. “Who wants to dance?” His gaze was on Lola, but Brooke slid a hand into his.
“Oh, definitely me.”
