Page 122 of Double Play

Suddenly they start playing an upbeat Latin-soundingtune. I don’t know the difference between a tango, a samba, and a mamba, but it’s along those lines.

He grabs my hips and brings them flush to his. I gasp at the unexpected contact.

“Relax. It’s part of the dance. It’s all in the hip movements. Follow my lead.”

He begins moving his hips to the beat and forcing mine to move with him, giving me instructions the whole time.

He’s genuinely a great teacher and an incredible dancer. I learn a few moves and we end up dancing to several songs. I’m having fun for the first time since we’ve been here.

I eventually notice that our food has arrived, and I motion toward the table. We sit and have an enjoyable meal together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ARIZONA

Last night wasn’t terrible. We had a good time. He was funny. We did a lot of laughing. It was nice to finally feel a little relaxed.

My phone rings and I see that it’s Ripley FaceTiming me. I miss her so much. “Hey, Rip.”

“Hey, girlie. How’s it going?”

“I miss home, but I’m trying to make the best of it.”

“Glad to hear it. Is it as beautiful as it looks in the pictures?”

“Even more beautiful. It’s a part of Earth that’s hard to imagine exists in real life.”

“And Butch? How’s he?”

“He’s fine. A little flirty and handsy, but he knows I’m with Layton. We get along.”

“Have you spoken with Layton?”

“Of course. Every day.”

Shebites her lip.

“Why the look? What’s happening?”

She shrugs. “He’s not doing well.”

“Is it his leg?”

“No, babe. It’s you. He said Butch’s hands are always on you when you two FaceTime. Have you seen all the photos that Fantasy Suits has been leaking?”

“No. The internet is crazy restricted in this country. I haven’t seen anything.”

“Every single day, they’re leaking new, provocative shots of you and Butch.”

“We’re shooting bathing suit ads. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do to prevent that from happening.”

“It’s not just those—though they’re hot too—it’s you two hanging out. Did you go dancing with him last night?”

I sigh. “We were having dinner. We danced for a few songs. It wasn’t intimate or anything. We’re just friends.”

“That’s not how it looked. I saw Layton before that photo leaked and he was a mess about you and Butch. The guys said he wouldn’t get out of bed after the dancing photos and videos came out.”

“There are photos and videos of us dancing?”

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