Page 128 of Fire and Icing

“Let’s go, then,” I say, grabbing his hand and dragging him behind me like a prize bear I won and can barely carry.

Dustin follows behind me. People stare, bless them. He’s new enough to still be a novelty, and the fact that I’m dating again is scuttlebutt of the highest commodity. Let ’em talk. That’s what my mom used to say. And I will. I love the people of this town. But tonight, my mind isn’t on them. I’m here with Dustin and I’m about to teach him how to line dance.

He takes his place next to me. “Don’t you think we should go to the back of the dance floor?”

I chuckle. “Nope. That’s an amateur call. If you do, you’ll end up at the front in two turns. The middle of the room’s best when you’re learning the ropes.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Just follow me. Do what I do.”

I move my right foot out, step behind with my left. “Right to the side, behind with left. Step right again. And meet with the left.”

I keep walking Dustin through the movements. He follows pretty well, until we get to the part where I say, “Step, Pivot, Step, Hold, and give a little shake.”

He shakes his hips so much I double over laughing. “A little shake! Dustin!”

He laughs too. “I don’t do anything little.”

“I guess not.” I smile up at him.

We’re standing stock-still while the other dancers move in time around us.

“Let’s try again,” he says.

We make it through that song and a few others. Dustin dances with Gran when a slow dance comes on. She smiles so big I think she’s going to start tearing up with joy. He already won me over, but dancing with my grandma? That put a nail in the coffin. I’m done for.

Syd disappears at one point.

I text her:

Emberleigh: Where’d you go?

Sydney: Aren’t you on a date?

Emberleigh: Yes. At the town event. Where are you?

Sydney: I had to take care of something. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. It’s good. I’m fine.

Emberleigh: You know you can tell me anything, Syd.

Sydney: And I do. And I will. Sometimes things boil down to timing.

Emberleigh: You’re being cryptic.

Sydney: Is Dustin there?

I glance around. Dustin is standing with the other firefighters in a cluster. Vanessa is right in the middle.

Emberleigh: He’s talking to the other firemen.

Sydney: Go enjoy your date. We’ll talk tomorrow.

Emberleigh: Okay. I will.

Dustin and I dance a few more dances. Then we sit with the firemen from his station and eat dessert. At one point, we glance at one another from across the table.

“Are you ready to go home?” Dustin asks me.

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