Page 46 of The Gin Lover's Guide to Dating

‘That’s just about right.’ I give her an amused smile.

‘Yes. So, caipirinha is very good and less common as the muck.’

‘Right. Well, I’d better enjoy it then. Cheers!’

We clink glasses and sit quietly for a moment as we sip at our drinks, watching the people dancing around us. The zingy sweet and sour flavour combination with the lime and the alcoholic heat is quite delicious, and quickly gets me back in the mood; forgetting my lack of disposable income and my job-hunting commitments the next day.

‘I am loving this place,’ says Reyes. ‘Everyone is happy here. It is happy place.’

‘Not everyone,’ I reply.

‘What do you mean?’

‘See that couple over there.’ I point to the man who was dragged up to dance. ‘There’s something going on between them.’

‘Something how?’ Reyes squints across at the couple.

‘I think they’re having an argument or something.’

‘I do not think this. I think he is just not liking the dancing and she want him to stay.’

I shake my head. ‘I think it’s more than that. Just watch.’

As we continue to spectate from the sidelines, the interaction between the couple starts to shift. What might have seemed like harmless discussion and cajoling to stay on the dance floor, rapidly develops into emotion-fuelled faces and dramatic gestures, followed by a full-scale argument. Minutes later, the woman appears to shout some kind of insult at the man and then runs off the dance floor toward the ladies toilets in tears.

‘Dios mio! You were right.’ Reyes turns to me, wide-eyed. ‘You are person-reading genius.’

I shrug. ‘Got an eye for body language. I do hope they’ll patch it up. Don’t like seeing people upset.’

‘I do not either,’ Reyes agrees. ‘But we must forget this sadness. It is time to dance. And to party.’

‘Good thinking.’

We grab our drinks and join the people on the dance floor. As we do, it becomes clear that Reyes knows some of them, and before long, we’re dancing the night away together as a group, the atmosphere filled with laughter, rhythm and energy. And Reyes continues to keep our drinks topped up, despite my protestations. For the first time in ages, I feel free and can forget my worries by just losing myself in the music.

After a couple of hours, I’m getting close to calling it a night, when a man with pompadour-styled dirty blonde hair and an athletic physique starts to dance near us. He’s quite easy on the eye, and it’s clear that Reyes has noticed this. She’s giving me a blatant I-know-you-say-you’re-not-dating-but-what-about-this-guy look.

I shake my head straight away to indicate I’m not interested and she gives me a pouty, disapproving look. The man, who has failed to read this interaction, then shimmies across to me.

‘Hey, there. I couldn’t help noticing you have really great rhythm. Is that something you can teach?’

‘Why, you think you need lessons?’ I throw back. ‘You look like you’re managing just fine.’

‘Thanks.’ The man fails to take the hint. ‘How about I buy you a drink instead?’

I chuckle at his forwardness. ‘No thanks. My friend and I are just heading home. Have a good one.’

I grab Reye’s hand and haul her off the dance floor, leaving the man looking a little forlorn, dancing away by himself.

‘Chica, what is this?’ she immediately starts to protest. ‘Why you not like this man? He is beautiful.’

‘He is beautiful,’ I agree. ‘But he’s also hit on about four other women in here tonight,’ I reply. ‘And that’s just the ones I noticed.’

‘What? How you see this?’

‘As I said, I just notice things. He succeeded with one of them, but there was obviously something that put her off, because she made her excuses after one drink. So, even if I was on the lookout for a man, it wouldn’t be him.’

‘You are good at this.’ Reyes gives me an impressed look. ‘It is talent.’

---