Page 40 of Keep It

I nod. “I wasn’t forced, more like I was put on this path and then all of a sudden I couldn’t get off it again.”

“Do you like acting?”

I let out my breath. “I don’t know if I like any of it. But it’s been brought to my attention that millions of people would kill for my job, so I can’t complain too much.” I watch as a faint blush rises beneath her freckles.

“Well, there must be something you like about it.”

“I like this job.” I rest my head against the wall and turn to look at her. The setting sun picks up the reddish strands in her hair. I could spend the rest of my life picking out the rust color strands.

Suddenly, Anya stumbles to her feet.

“Where are you going?”

“Uhm,” she says, her hands flapping. “I had a cramp.”

I raise an eyebrow and catch her flailing hand. My fingers smooth down to grab her wrist. I gently tug until she’s back down with me, but the force of the motion almost pulls her into her lap. She readjusts at the right moment and collapses next to me, close. Too close.

“We haven’t finished the wine,” I say softly.

She nods and swigs the rest of the bottle. I would be impressed if I didn’t think she was trying to distract herself. “Music right?”

“Music?”

“I’ve heard of somewhere near here. Let’s go.” She stands again, holding her hand out as if to pull me to my feet. I don’t need her help but the prospect of holding her hand is one I won’t give up easily.

Chapter 17

ANYA

That wine has gone straight to my head. I don’t know where my inhibitions have gone but they must be floating in the Seine by now. All day we’ve been talking and laughing and… flirting? And now he’sholding my handas I take him to Cavette de Huchette, a cavernous jazz bar with dim lighting and dark corners. What am I doing?

We get to the club and Danny stands behind me, finally letting go of my hand as I order entry for two people. Before I can get my money out, Danny has reached over my head and handed over his card.

I look up at him. “Are you ever going to stop doing that?”

He winks and doesn’t reply. My breath hitches, as he places his hand on my hip and guides me through to the bar. He orders a bottle of champagne and two glasses, but I don’t offer to pay for this one — if he wants the expensive stuff, that’s on him.

Danny grabs the champagne bucket, handing me the glasses. He takes my spare hand again and leads me down the winding stairs at the end of the bar. Holding his hand is almost awkward as we carefully make our way down the old, narrow staircase but I can’t bring myself to let go.

The cavern-like room is cold except for the heat of the bodies swaying on the dance floor. Danny leads the way through the crowd, tugging me behind him. I nearly lose him but grab onto his pinky finger as we squeeze past the dancing couples.

I sidestep to avoid an old man with a shock of white hair underneath a straw hat spinning a young woman in his arms. The woman squeals with delight, glancing at her friends in the corner who are cheering her on.

I assume Danny is leading us to the plush leather seats lining the walls but instead he twists towards me. The movement is so sudden that I glance behind his broad shoulder looking for a camera phone pointed our way.

“Who is it?” I ask, dragging my eyes back to him.

“Huh?” he asks, leaning down to hear me over the music as he places the champagne on a nearby table.

I tilt my head up to reply but anything I was meant to say gets stuck on my tongue. He’s so close I can feel his cool breath on my cheek. Our noses are nearly touching. Before I can pull away or move closer, Danny raises our hands, seamlessly turning his hand so he’s cradling mine instead of me clutching his finger. Not once breaking contact.

Confused, I glance back at him as he curves his arm around my back, pulling me flush to him.

“Dance with me,” he murmurs.

My hand moves to his shoulder. “I don’t know how,” I say quietly. Despite the roaring music and the crowd, I fear speaking any louder will burst the bubble we’re hiding in.

“I’ll show you.” He sways me in his arms, in time with the slow jazz the live band is crooning. My hand inches further across his shoulder until my fingertips brush the warm skin of his neck. Danny’s eyes flutter closed.

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