Page 22 of Night and Day
Mia shook her head at the thought, launching into the quick spins that went with the chorus. Deke followed, laughing as his arm whipped against the kitchen counter. Once he got the steps somewhat down, she turned to extend her hand to Izzy. “Come on, join us!”
A wan smile crossed his face, but he didn’t move. “That’s okay.” He lifted his beer to his lips and held there, frozen.
Mia turned back to Deke and danced the rest of the song, all the way to the grand finish. Giggling and out-of-breath, she collapsed back into her seat. Well, that was a first.
“I challenge you to a duel over this woman!” Deke exclaimed between bursts of laughter, pointing at Izzy with a kitchen knife.
Izzy whipped his hand away like an irritating fly. “She has a boyfriend.”
Deke sat across the table, raising his brow at Mia. “You do?”
Mia nodded, giving him a meek smile. “It’s strange,” she mused, desperate for another subject. “I’ve gone to the same dance class for years and I’ve never danced outside of it. I mean, never those same steps.”
“Really?” Deke stared at her with his jaw hanging. “Why not?”
“I felt embarrassed, I think. And you don’t really hear this music outside of the Zumba class, so I’ve never really felt like... you know. Without the music, I wouldn’t ever remember the steps.”
Izzy’s face brightened. “Music is amazing. It literally lights up pathways in your brain. That’s how I get ideas... I’m not much of a dancer, but I lie on the ground and just listen to music. Have you ever listened to music under the stars? I drive further out so there’s no light pollution and lie in the middle of a field.”
“Once he lay on cow shit.” Deke chuckled.
Izzy sunk his teeth into his bottom lip. “Yeah. I quickly learned to bring a picnic blanket.”
Mia laughed, enjoying the mellow warmth that pooled in her belly. “A blanket sounds like a good idea. I love that... starry sky and headphones. Sounds perfect.”
She hid behind her beer, her cheeks hot. Oops. The drink must have gone straight into her head. Was she trying to invite herself to a dark, remote field with a stranger? But he wasn’t a stranger anymore, her heart argued, squeezing at the sight of the burly man next to her. She was learning about him and getting more intrigued by the moment.
The playlist ended, filling the kitchen with a heavy silence, punctuated with Deke’s chewing. Then a strange screeching sound pierced the air, coming from the hallway.
“Don’t worry, that’s my parrot,” Deke said, swiping the last chip. “I can introduce you—”
“If you need anything from the shops, we should go now,” Izzy cut in, an edge in his voice. He gestured to the clock on the wall. “We can take the headphones and go by the field on the way back if you want. Let’s see if the sky’s clear.”
Mia straightened up in her chair, her head spinning. She desperately needed toiletries, clean underwear and some basic makeup. Could she ask for him to pay for all that? She cast an apologetic look at Deke. “I’d love to meet your parrot, but I don’t even have a toothbrush.”
Deke nodded. “No worries. You should go, everything closes at ten. Don’t forget condoms!” Mia’s lungs flattened at the sound of his cheery voice, and she fought to keep her composure.
Izzy slapped the back of his friend’s head as he traipsed past. “Shut up.” He gestured Mia towards the door. “Don’t mind him. He carries condoms everywhere.” He glanced at the basement stairs. “I’ll get my wallet and the headphones and we can go.”
“Okay,” Mia agreed breathlessly, turning her attention to Deke. This guy baffled her. “I thought you were looking for... true love?”
Deke’s round eyes radiated odd sincerity. “Yeah. You never know where it hits you, right?”
“You really think it’ll hit you so hard that there’s no time to go shopping... for condoms?” Mia bit down her smile.
Deke shrugged. “Could happen.” He got up and dropped his empty nacho dish in the sink. Mia stared at his back, wondering what it would be like to possess such unwavering optimism.
Izzy reappeared, slightly out of breath, carrying a large gym bag. Had he run? Mia shot him a questioning look. “Are we staying overnight or something?”
“Nah, this is just the only bag I own.” He froze for a second, studying her face. “You ready?”
Mia breathed deeply to calm her nerves and headed for the door. At the steps, she hesitated for a split second, her hands feeling for a handbag, keys, phone, anything... then she remembered. Her shoulders sagged and she trailed Izzy to his car.
She had nothing left to lose, except her life. Could she trust him with it?
