Page 42 of The Roommate Remodel

She’s walking backward toward the dance floor now, and I’m letting herstring me along.

“Your choice of any chore,” she says with a wicked smile. “But you have to beat me first, Mac.”

“So this is why you’re challenging me. You can’t accept my offer of working on the house.”

She raises her eyebrow. “I would feel better about letting you if I won.”

“Just so you know, I don’t give up easily, Princess.” I level my gaze at her. “And my laundry really stinks.”

“I know.” Then she laughs, dropping my hand because we’re on the edge of the dance floor and about to get crushed by some men in big boots.

I’m so going to lose this competition.Not because I can’t outlast her. I’ve played hockey for years. I’ve learned to develop my endurance to Olympic levels.

But when it comes to her,I’m willing to lose everything.

As we step into a line, I focus on the moving bodies in front of me. Their feet are moving in patterns that make little sense to my brain, leaving me a step behind. Just about the time I get it, everyone turns to the left, and I’m still facing forward.

Jaz glances over at me. “To the left, Mac.”

I turn just in time for the entire group to rotate back to the front again and I’m facing the wrong direction.

“Better keep up, or people are going to think you’ve been drinking,” she says.

The group turns to the right, and one more time, I’m left behind. I mutter, “Maybe if Ididdrink, this wouldn’t quite be so painful.”

She smirks. “You’ll catch on.” She adds a fancy spin to one of the side moves.

“Showoff,” I say with a smile.

A few rows over, Leo and Tate take notice of me on the dance floor, and I know I’m about to get roasted.

“Is that Big Mac on the dance floor?” Leo shrieks over themusic.

I miss another turn, and he howls with laughter. “Nice one. Don’t know your left from your right, do you?”

Jaz leans over to me. “Ignore him. You know it doesn’t matter what they think.”

I give Leo a look that’s so fiery, if it were real, it would burn his eyebrows off. “Listen, if you don’t shut it, you won’t knowyourleft from right.”

The music ends, and Sloan begs the guys to stay for one more dance.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay, Sloan?” Jaz asks, looking concerned.

She has a right, given Sloan’s condition, which can turn at the drop of a cowboy hat.

She tugs on Vale’s arm. “Stop worrying, Jaz. Vale will catch me if I faint.”

Jaz gives Vale a pointed look. “Watch out for my sister, okay?”

Vale gives her a thumbs up, and I pull Jaz back into line as the music kicks up again with a driving bass and fiddle. “Vale’s as quick as me with his reflexes. Maybe quicker. Sloan’s in good hands.”

She seems relieved by this answer and hops back into the dance moves.

“I think you need to let go more than me,” I say, glancing over at her. “You worry too much.”

She shrugs. “And what do you propose I do?”

“You could start by letting people help you.”

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