Page 89 of Two to Tango

“I feel amazing,” I admit.

“And that’s what it’s all about.” She grins, standing next to me in the mirror, eyes meeting mine in solidarity, in friendship. I can’t help but smile back.

I sneak back into the dressing room and try on another one—one shoulder, rouged, deep wine red with some sparkles. This one has a slit up the back, too.

“Perfection,” Tara calls out, now standing next to Marta who is nodding in agreement.

This feels like shopping for prom dresses, giddy and hopeful, with friends cheering you on. This feels like another piece of this new life is sliding into place.

“Take it,” she commands. “And this one.” She holds up the purple one with flowers triumphantly, “is for San Diego.”

Chapter twenty-nine

Julieta

When I step intothe ballroom, it’s the most comfortable I’ve ever felt. It’s the most sure. Logan is talking to the DJ, laughing, casually conversing. He looks so loose, so relaxed—that confidence that he wears so well. Effortlessly cool as always.

But there’s something else. Some sort of calm I’ve noticed creep its way in the last couple of times we’ve seen each other. He turns and happens to catch my eyes, his widening as he excuses himself and walks over to me.

“Holy shit.”

“I went shopping with Tara. How ridiculous do I look?” I step closer to him, hands stretched out to show the dress.

“Uh. You don’t.” His eyes scan my body, down and back up.

“No?” I run my palms down my dress to smooth the front.

“You look great.” He clears his throat. “You look … really, really great.”

“Thanks. You, too.”

He’s wearing a suit this time. Loose pants, tailored jacket. He steps in and gives me a kiss, a soft brushing of our lips, and the nerves want to bubble up to the surface. But he doesn’t want tohide anymore, and being here in this beautiful space, with this joyous community, why would I even want to?

Tara walks in shortly after with Silas, greeting those around her. When she spots me, she smiles wide, moving in for a hug.

“Perfection,” she declares, in reference to my dress. “Julie, this is Silas.”

“Nice to meet you.” I offer my hand in a handshake.

“She’s a lawyer. Very formal.” She winks in my direction.

“This place looks great,” Silas offers, looking around at where they’ve added some extra balloons and aGood Luck, We’ll Miss Youbanner.

“Aw, I love it!” Tara admires it gratefully.

Silas reaches down to kiss her hand, and they both excuse themselves to look around and talk to some more guests.

Logan and I find a small table by the stage, settling in. He moves his chair close to mine, draping his arm over my shoulders.

“There are a lot of people here,” I say.

“Yeah, this is a great turnout. We invited everybody from the class, and opened it up to the milonga regulars, too. They wanted to come give Tara a proper send off.”

And then the couples flood the floor, the DJ welcoming all the guests, giving a special introduction to Tara, the guest of honor.

“Ready to dance?” He leans in to ask me in my ear.

This time I’m not nervous. I’m excited and eager to dance.

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