Page 97 of The Pursuit

When I peeked through my fingers, AJ shot me an odd look. “I didn’t expect that reaction.”

“It’s just I’m not a big fan of it.”

Bella nodded. “He thinks he sucks at it.” She gave me a smile. “You’re really not bad.”

“Thanks,” I grumbled.

“I mean it.”

After clapping his hands together, AJ motioned for me to come with him. “Come on. Let me teach you a basic Cumbia, so you can wow Gaby.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

Cocking my brows at him, I countered, “Five minutes ago you hated me and now you want to teach me a dance to impress Gaby?”

He held out his hand to me. “Trust me. Any idiot can do a basic Cumbia.”

“I think there’s both an insult and a compliment in there.”

Chuckling, AJ replied, “I mean it as a compliment.”

“Yeah, it’s easy for you because you’re Mr. Latin Lover with the moves.”

He grinned. “See, I knew deep down I really liked you.”

Alex snorted. “Don’t stroke his ego, Noah.”

I laughed when AJ shot him a look. “Make yourself useful and put on some music,” he barked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Alex grunted before going over to the music system. Apparently, he knew just what AJ would want because when the beat echoed through the cabin, AJ nodded. “Baila Este Cumbia. Good choice, mijo.”

“You’re welcome,” Alex replied before sinking back down in his seat.

With a wink, he said, “Anything for Selenas.”

“Huh?” I asked.

“Sorry, it’s a line from a movie. I take it you don’t know the Tejano superstar that was Selena?”

“Not really,” I admitted.

AJ nodded. “I’ve got a lot to acquaint you with. Due to my immense love of her, my kids were raised on her, so you need your Selena schooling.”

“Good to know.”

“Once I teach you the dance, we’ll watch the movie as our inflight entertainment.”

“If you say so,” I mused.

Clapping his hands together, AJ said, “Okay, back to the Cumbia.” He motioned to my feet.

“First, the pattern starts with putting your right foot back and keeping your left in place. Then your left steps back and your right stays in place.” He did the motions as he said them. After doing them a few times, he jerked his chin at me. “Give it a try.”

“Will you do me a favor?”

AJ’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Yeah?”

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