Page 113 of Betting on the Brainiac

“No. He loves his job. But never try to change his music,” she advises me.

“Noted. When did the party start?” I’m trying to gauge how long I need to wait before I can draw Madison off for a conversation. Maybe I can ask her to come upstairs to check on Tabitha with me.

“Everyone started trickling out in the last few minutes.”

A while, then. I can’t pull her out of a party that barely started.

“You need to tell her,” Ruby says, and I look down at her in surprise. “About the kiss. And the mask.”

I crack the beer open and take a sip. “I know.”

She pats my arm and walks over to Charlie, who gives me a nod hello.

I need to catch up with him. He’s the only thing I miss about my old place, but it was cool just crossing the hall to catch a game or play some Madden.

I’m halfway through my beer, low-key watching Madi for a good chance to have that talk, when she stands.

Now, then.

I take a step in her direction before I realize she’s coming in mine.

“Hey,” she says, stopping in front of me. “I’m glad you came. You look good.”

“Thanks. You too. You always do.” She’s wearing a pale yellow sundress that falls above her knees. She looks like she should be twirling through meadows of bluebonnets for a lifestyle brand.

She smiles and shifts to stand beside me. “It’s funny that we do these during the hottest months but hardly ever when it’s actually nice outside.”

“The calendar says it’s fall, but I guess nobody told the thermometer.” It’s in the midseventies, even with the last bit of sunset gone.

“It’ll start cooling off about a week before Halloween,” she says. “A couple more weeks of this, for better or worse.”

Stop talking about the weather. Do not let anything else about the weather come out of your mouth. “I don’t mind summer, but I do like fall more.”Great. Way to listen to your self-respect that is only trying to save you right now, you tool.

“Agree. I’m so basic, but I love a chilly day and a reason to pull out my boots and sweaters.”

At least she’s still on weather too. Maybe I’m not the only nervous one.

Her expression changes suddenly, going from her social small talk face to a searching one, and her eyes land on Ruby. Ruby has her back to us, chatting with Hugo and Jasmine. And then I hear it. The high synth notes of “Taki Taki.”

Did Ruby have something to do with this? Had I told her this song was playing that night? Had Madison?

It doesn’t matter. It is a neon sign flashingTELL HER.

“Madison, do you think we could—”

Joey swoops in before I can finish. “As the woman tied for fourth in my heart, come out there with me and let’s show them how the salsa is done.”

Madison smiles and shakes her head. “Ava’s just as good. Grab her.”

“She’s refilling the veggie platter, and my feet need to move. Let’s go.”

“Sorry,” she says over her shoulder as Joey pulls her to the space left by the coffee table.

He spins her onto the floor. They do an eight count into a hammerlock, causing the crowd to laugh and whistle. It’s so clear they’ve done this many times as they spin and connect, Joey’s expert lead a series of subtle signals through their lightly touching fingers, quick grip reversals, and more salsa steps.

“He helped teach us,” Ruby says, reappearing beside me. “Well, the other girls. I learned when I was little, but they’ve come over for so many Ramos parties, and my dad never lets anyone leave without a lesson.”

“They’re good,” I agree.

---