Page 93 of Movers and Shakers

Barry huffed out a laugh. “Can you read my mind or something?”

Nope. I just know what I did.

I managed a noncommittal shrug, swallowing around the guilt in my throat.

“Have you ever fucked up something that could have been really good?” He asked it slowly and I looked at him, feeling more like Lila as I answered.

“Yes. Very recently, actually. All we can do is move forward and learn from our mistakes.”

He looked out at the city skyline and I wondered what he was thinking. My heart picked up speed as I waited. I didn’t have the words to describe what it felt like to wait.

Then he turned to me. “You’re right, and I shouldn’t waste the time you’re here by thinking of someone else.”

“You know, we only ever have these hard conversations.”

“We do, don’t we?” He shook his head. “You should go downstairs, then. Have some fun.”

“What if you went with me?”

The question hung in the air.

Please say yes. Choose Rose.

He slowly turned. “Why me?”

“I get the vibe that you have this bar and you’ve never enjoyed it yourself.”

“I enjoy it.”

“Really? What do you do here, then?”

“I mostly . . . work.” He cringed as he said it. “Man, I sound too much like Todd. Maybe I should enjoy it for once.”

“Come on.” I grabbed his hand. “Let’s change that.”

We went downstairs where the music was loud and infectious. Bathed in these lights, everything felt different.

“Listen to this music,”I said, bobbing my head to the beat. “Doesn’t it make you want to dance?”

“You can. I’ll watch.”

“Where’s the fun in that? Isn’t the point that we’re supposed to do ittogether?”

“I don’t dance.”

“Can you at least twirl me? No dancing required for that.”

Barry paused for a moment and I wondered if he would change his mind, but he held out a hand to me, spinning me around. I couldn’t help the giddy giggle that escaped me.

“That was surprisingly coordinated.”

“It’s fun! Do you want to try?”

“I don’t think the guy usually gets twirled.”

“Come on,” I said, rolling my eyes. “There are no rules.”

“Fine. Just once.”

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