Page 58 of Forbidden Dance
We go inside. “Hungry?” Blitz asks. “You’re bad for my fitness regimen, but then, my trainer quit.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, she said she wasn’t going to work with anyone who had so little respect for women.” He walks up to the counter. “Can’t blame her.”
I squeeze his hand. “I’m sorry all this happened.”
“My own fault. I was out of control. The network wanted a hot-and-bothered guy who didn’t take no for an answer, and I delivered.”
“But it wasn’t really you?”
“I don’t know anymore. I played the role so long, it sort of became me.”
“But you’re not like that right now.”
He looks down at me. “Not with you.”
We stop at the empty concession counter.
“You know how to work a popcorn machine?” he asks.
“I’m game to try.”
The same teen from the box office comes around the counter. “Can I help you?” she asks in the same bored voice.
“Do you run the projector too?” Blitz asks.
She ignores his question, hand on her hip.
“Okay. Big popcorn. Like, big as your face. And…” he looks at me. “Should we be good with bottled water or go for the teeth-rotting soda?”
“Teeth are overrated,” I say.
“Two giant Cherry Cokes.”
The girl fetches them. Blitz takes my hand and within seconds, I’m turning in circles, following his cues.
How does he do that?
We dance around the empty foyer of the theater while the girl assembles our order. My skirt billows out a little, but it’s long, so nothing shows but my knees. I remember the panties and wonder if I can go to the bathroom to take them off. The very idea makes my face burn hot.
“You’re blushing,” he says, twirling me into him. “What’s on my sweet princess’s mind?”
I wish I were bold and flirty and could say things like “Wouldn’t you like to know?” But I’m tongue-tied.
Fortunately, the girl plops our drinks on the counter, making them fizz though the top.
“Now that’s service!” Blitz says merrily. He lets me go to hand her money and pass me one of the drinks.
“You can go on back,” she says. “Theater 2 on your right.”
“Has anyone else bought tickets?” he asks.
“Not to that show,” she says.
Blitz picks up his drink and the popcorn, and we head to the hallway.
The previews are flashing onscreen as we pass through the doors. I peer into the seats. She’s right. There’s nobody here.
