Page 33 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

But if Harrison wants to keep me at arm’s length, that’s his right.

“I’ll give you a thousand dollars if you line dance in front of all these people. Like all in. Hips and hands moving, William. Don’t let me down.”

I sip my beer. “Easiest thousand bucks I’ve ever made.”

Harrison snorts and stands back up. He goes over to the band, who are on break, and has a chat with the lead singer.

“Okay, folks, we’re going to do a little classic Texas two-step for our Cali friends. Everyone get on out here and show these folks how everything is bigger and better in the Lone Star state!”

There are whoops and hollers and a dash to the dance floor.

“South Carolina!” Harrison calls out.

“What?” the singer asks.

“Two of us are from South Carolina. Two from California.”

“Then we have a real dance off! Three states represented.”

Harrison makes a face like that backfired on him. “Can’t dance?” I ask.

But Harrison, being Harrison, says, “I can do anything.”

That makes me snort and shake my head. He probably doesn’t even know the two-step is a partner dance. I stroll over to Ivy. “Dance with me?”

She nods, grinning. “I thought you’d never ask.”

As Harrison makes his way to the floor, he realizes about a heartbeat too late he needs a partner. A woman grabs him by the arm with a big smile. She’s about half his height and twice his age, but as I start the dance and take Ivy’s arm, I see the woman is literally dancing circles around Harrison. He’s just standing there bouncing on his heels, looking bewildered. She gestures for him to lift his arm to twirl her, but he doesn’t get the message. He just lifts his arm.

Meanwhile, me and Ivy have a nice rhythm and flow. We’ve danced swing together before and this shares some common roots with it. So even though I’ve never technically done the two-step, it’s easy to follow, especially since the singer is calling out directives to be helpful.

She smiles up at me. “You haven’t lost your touch. You been dancing without me lately?”

Since Brad. That’s what she means.

I shake my head. “No. You’re my only dance partner.” I turn her and tug her in tight up against me, closer than the dance calls for.

She collides with my chest. “Well, hello.”

“Hi.” I turn her out. When she comes back, I murmur, “You’re amazing, you know. I’m proud of you for how you’re handling this.”

“Thanks.” She strokes my cheek. “You’re the best.”

There’s a moment hanging between us and I feel my heart swell. I want to kiss her.

The music suddenly cuts out with a loud scratch. Ivy jumps. I wince.

“Whoops, sorry, folks!” The DJ laughs over the mic. “Our Cali couple is doing an amazing two-step! Well, our young lady is anyway.”

It’s a poke at me that I can’t let stand. Not with Harrison watching.

The two-step focuses on the woman.

I need to show off a little more.

I make eye contact with the singer. “Something faster?”

He gives me a grin. Then he says into the mic, “Cali Boy requests we crank up the speed. We’ve got you covered.”

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