Page 73 of Atlas
“You wouldn’t want to miss Damian throwing Liv around on the dance floor, would you?” I nodded toward the sight of our adoptive mother red-faced and laughing with Damian. The two of them were in their late thirties and had been friends since the night he helped save our lives. Damian had been part of the group of policemen who barged into the Red Manor, and by now, he and Kit were like family to me.
“How come we’re the only ones not dancing?” I asked her.
Lumi wrinkled her nose in response. “Dancing is nothing but an entertaining mating ritual.”
“For Charles’ sake, I hope not. He doesn’t seem like the type to share his wife.”
Lumi placed her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand. “Damian isn’t Liv’s type.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he’s Charles’ opposite. Damian doesn’t take anything seriously. He’s like a big kid.”
“I know. That’s what I like about him.”
Lumi sipped her wine. “Look at River. She stands out like a Kardashian in a Value Village store. I’ll bet Maximum could sponsor an entire school in Africa for the cost of her dress and those high heels.”
“Whatever the price, she looks stunning,” I defended our sister.
“Agreed. River is a fucking goddess among peasants in this place.”
It was rare to hear Lumi swear, and it made me laugh. “When did you become such a sailor?”
She shrugged. “It’s the wine.”
I spotted Jolene, who was on her way back from the restroom when Nathan grabbed her and swung her around.
Earlier, I had asked her to dance, and she had declined. I couldn’t put my finger on what had changed between us, but after our trip to the mall this morning, she was more reserved.
Straightening up in my chair, I watched Nathan swing Jolene around on the dance floor. River and Maximum were dancing next to them, and Liv and Damian were taking up half the dance floor with their wild movements.
“Atlas.”
“Yes?” I kept my eyes on Jolene when I answered.
“You didn’t hear a word I said. Why are you staring at them? If you want to dance, go ask that blonde at the bar; she’s been sending you glances all night.”
“Hmm.” I had no clue who she was talking about, nor did I have any interest in women other than Jolene.Why are she and Nathan dancing so close?
I was just about to get up from my seat when the song ended, and the musicians announced that they were taking a short break. Liv, Damian, Maximum, and River returned to us, but to my annoyance, Nathan and Jolene stayed back on the dance floor with a few other couples, rocking from side to side to a popular slow song played over the sound system.
“Scoot over, woman,” Damian told Lumi, who made room for him.
“Here.” Lumi handed him a napkin. “Your face is dripping with sweat — it’s disgusting.”
Damian grinned and dried off his forehead with his hand. “When was the last time ye broke a sweat? Or is that beneath ye?”
“I sweat every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning in my spinning classes. You know that.”
“Okay, but I’m talking about fun sweat, not fitness sweat,” Damian clarified.
Lumi looked to me. “Do you know what he’s on about?”
I shook my head, so Damian explained,
“Fun sweat from dancing’, playin’, or havin’ sex.”
Lumi raised a brow. “I can’t imagine anyone would want to have sex with you if you get that sweaty.”
