Page 39 of Flirty Dancing

“Yes, great sleep. Where did you go last night? I left right after you did but I couldn’t catch up to you.”

“Oh…” Caleb waved an airy hand. “You know, took a walk, cleared my head.”

“Look, I’m sorry about the Monopoly, I—”

“It’s fine,” Caleb interrupted. “It’s only a silly game. I think I was overtired.”

“It was a crazy week, that’s for sure.”

Archer was glad Caleb wasn’t mad, but he felt a little unsettled as they chatted over their sandwiches. They had to hurry, though, because after lunch, the dancers gathered at the theater.

“Well, my darlings,” Stewart said, leaning on his cane, Judy wagging her tail at his feet. “You have no need of me anymore. Judy and I are off to other adventures, but we’ll be back in a few weeks to check in on you. Now, Mateo…” He rested a hand on Mateo’s broad shoulder. “You’re in charge. I trust you to keep these whippersnappers in shape.”

Mateo nodded and hugged him.

“Dominik, listen to Mateo. I know you think all of your ideas are good but…” He studied Dominik’s mohawk. “… they are not.”

Dominik sighed and hugged him. “Thanks, Stewart.”

Stewart went down the line, imparting final words of wisdom for each dancer, until he reached Archer at theend. “And Archer, my boy. Remember, sex on the dance floor, yes?”

Archer’s cheeks heated. “Right.”

Stewart hugged him, scooped Judy up with a flourish and, with a final wave, tromped out the door.

The troupe looked at one another in silence for a minute.

“Swim and suntan?” Dominik suggested.

Swim and suntan.

Archer and Caleb were heading back to the dorm to change into their suits when a voice called to them. “Excuse me! Young man!”

Archer looked back and saw Ms. Eileen Lamb waving at him. She was wearing pink this time, another flowery dress with a matching hat.

She came puffing up to them. “Hello, loves. My goodness.” She put her hand on her hips and leaned back to catch her breath for a moment. “It’s already so hot, and it’s not even June yet.” A few silver curls had escaped from her cap.

“Ms. Lamb,” Archer said, smiling.

She didn’t seem surprised that he knew her name. “Yes, and you are…?”

“Archer Read,” he said as she shook his hand. “And you may already know Caleb?”

“Hi there,” Caleb said with his seasoned performance smile.

“Hello, Caleb. I do remember you from years previous.” But Eileen barely glanced at him. “I had to talk to you, Mr. Read, and let you know that the ballet duet you did with Mr. Dixon was breathtaking.”

“Oh, thank you. And please, call me Archer.”

“I’ll meet you there,” Caleb muttered to him.

“Okay,” Archer replied, but Caleb was already several steps away.

“Well, Archer, it was just stunning,” Eileen continued. “You two literally took my breath away. Those grand jetés at the end? Superb.”

“Thank you so much, Ms. Lamb.” Archer had never had anyone approach him in public about his dancing before, and he had to admit it was rather thrilling.

“You know, I used to be something of a dancer in my day,” she informed him, patting a curl back into place.

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