Page 74 of Why Not Forever?

“You’re here. I’m happy to be early to distract you from work.”

I can’t help the flutter in my belly at the idea of someone wanting to be early just to spend time with me.

I stand and move around my desk. I’m planning to lead us upstairs where Lis is going to serve dinner for the dancers in about half an hour. Instead, Tanner stands as well, halting my progress. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer. “I missed you today,” he says.

I circle my arms around his neck. “You saw me this morning.” I turn my face up to meet his kiss. It feels completely natural, and I melt into him. When I pull back, I say, “I missed you, too.”

We make our way upstairs, where Spencer greets us and leads us to one of the tables. We have our small tables set up today with only two place settings at each. They’re decorated with pure white tablecloths, a vase of red flowers, and flickering candles in glass jars.

“I wanted to say I’m happy for you guys,” Spencer says as we take our seats. “Let me know if you need anything.”

He walks away from us and Tanner takes my hand.

“You told them?” he asks, pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

“I said I would.”

“How did they react?”

I snort. “Spencer won twenty bucks.” Tanner laughs and I smile. “It’s fine, though. He lost twenty when Adalie and Nate got together.”

“He was betting with Derek?”

“Who else?”

Our food is served and we eat. For the date nights, we have a set menu that people choose from before they arrive. I had put in my and Tanner’s order earlier today and when Lis sends it up, there’s a note from her that says,Enjoy lovebirds. I haven’t seen her much today, so I assume Spencer told her about me and Tanner at some point.

The instructor, Sam, comes in and we prepare to dance. She shows us the very simple box step, explaining on her own, then with her partner. Then she gets us into our pairs and has us do it. It’s the most simple step—back, together, side, together, forward together, side together—but for some reason, I keep trying to go forward on the first step.

“I told you I’m bad at this,” I say when I step on Tanner’s foot for the third time.

“Nonsense,” Sam says. I hadn’t realized she was standing there. “Your problem is you’re trying to lead.”

I glance at her while trying to follow Tanner’s movements. “How do I stop trying to lead?”

“Do you trust your partner?”

We stop dancing and I meet Tanner’s eyes, nodding.

“Perfect. Then it shouldn’t be a problem.” She takes a silk scarf from her pocket and hands it to me. “Tie this around your eyes.”

I’ve seen her employ this technique with other couples in other dance classes. Still, my heart skips a beat as I think about the last time I was blindfolded with Tanner. My pussy clenches and a tingle runs across my skin. Tanner smiles at me, and I know he’s thinking about it, too.

He takes the scarf and carefully ties it around my eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly.

I nod, unable to speak, and he holds me again. Now that I can’t see, I’m not trying to anticipate what his movements are going to be, simply moving with him. He leads me in the box step and I get it. On the first step, I can feel him pushing me backward, so I take the step I’m supposed to. He guides me to the side, then forward.

I laugh. “I’m doing it.”

“You certainly are,” Sam says. “Much better. You see, Vic. It takes courage to follow. To let yourself trust your partner completely, even if it means you might get hurt. Good work.”

I know she’s walked away as Tanner and I continue to dance, and I consider what she said. Trust completely, even if it means I might get hurt. But with Tanner, I won’t. He’ll keep me safe.

Chapter 27

Vic

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