Page 57 of The End of Summer

“Miranda? Remember? In college?”

“Oh. Right.”

“Anyway, in my experience, when someone disappears out of nowhere, it usually isn’t for a fun, happy reason.”

“I know. Which is why it was weird. Also, I don’t like the responsibility of holding down a room full of potentially drunk grown people while they pretend to have skills on the pole. Feels like an insurance nightmare waiting to happen. If they were kids and just came for normal dance classes, I could be okay with that, but these women are an absolute liability.”

Brady laughs. “Aw. I could see you chasing a bunch of little ones in tutus.”

“Not through a pole studio.”

“No, definitely not. What about the other ladies, though? Why wouldn’t Arrow put one of them in charge?”

“Cherry knows her the best, but she’s sick. Appendicitis.”

“Yikes.”

“Yeah, and we’ve been sort of playing phone tag. Anyway, I’m sure I’ll find out more tomorrow.”

“Everything will be fine,” Brady assures me. “And if you feel like you need backup, just call me. I’ll come help out.”

I sigh. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

“No worries at all. Okay, so what was the best part of your day?”

“Well…” My voice trails off.

“Right now?” Brady guesses, his mouth upturned, suppressing a smile.

I shake my head. “If I’m being totally honest, that dance from earlier was –” I wave my hand to fan my face. “Caliente,” I say.

He grins, and I feel my face flush. “Yeah. It was.”

“Can I ask you a weird question?”

“Sure.” He does that tongue thing with his spoon again and it takes all the restraint I’ve got to not lean across the table and invite him to do that inside my mouth.

“How did you learn to move like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s more than just dancing. It’s like a whole other level.”

He smirks. “Think so?”

“It’s like a combination of dance moves, of course – sharp lines and angles and all that, but it feels like there are also fluid moments, as if you’re melting into your dance partner.”

“You think I do that with everyone?”

“I mean, don’t you?” I remember the kaleidoscope of emotions I felt in my stomach when I watched him dance with Miranda.

“I think there’s a distinction, actually.”

“Do tell.”

“Well, when I’m dancing for an audience, it’s this combination of vulnerable and empowered.”

I raise an eyebrow, listening.

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