Page 59 of Third Time Lucky

‘He’d own that shit and charm the pants off this girl to prove there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve seen you be smooth, man. You got it in you. I’ve heard the stories. You take dead friend’s girlfriends to prom. You cook for women on first dates. You stand up to cheaters while they stand at the altar. The only person you don’t stand up for is yourself. Around her – you’re suddenly a knight in shining armor saving a damsel in distress.’ He’s half-goading but sincere beneath it all. ‘Girls love that shit. If you’re that into her, bethatguy.’

Rarely does Aaron think something through to a conclusion that makes complete sense. I close my eyes, letting his words sink in, torn between the person I’ve been, the teen I was, and the man Lucy suddenly makes me want to be. He’s right – I’ve always been one to go the extra mile for those I care about. And Lucy… damn, she does something to my insides no one else ever has. She makes me want to go above and beyond while becoming a better version of myself – for her. I finally want to take the risk and put myself back at love’s door – for her. Yet, the fear of failure looms, and I’m caught between wanting to be that guy and doubting we can overcome the ghost standing between us.

‘Also…’ I say, almost ashamed the words are coming out of my mouth to the guy who learned some of the eighties hottest dance trends when he was a tween – for fun. ‘Why in the hell would you choose dancing?’

‘Because I’m a disco dancing fuckboy. I do believe you’ve said those words before.’

‘Yes, when you danced your ass in front of the mirror while I was in the shower,’ I remind him.

He laughs. ‘You weren’t getting ready fast enough, and we had a timeline that day.’ His laughter fades. ‘Do you need me to come over there and give you a dance lesson?’

‘You want to teach me how to dance?’

I lean my head against the back of my couch, almost certain I should say no to this.

‘I guess it couldn’t hurt. But only if we cannotfocus on one decade’s vibe. No routines. No lifts. And I’m not grinding on this girl.’

‘That outs one of the best movie scenes ever. You’re so boring, Grandpa. But fret not, I hadn’t planned on giving you all my best moves. I could probably keep it PG-17.’

‘Alright then. Come over and teach me, Mr Miyagi.’

‘Ha-ha… you sound so much cooler than you are when you mimic me.’

‘Sure. Just come over and don’t tell anyone, Madi included, or I’ll start telling her stories from the vault about you.’

He gasps suddenly. ‘You wouldn’t.’

‘I so would.’

Sometimes being the older brother is fun.

‘I’ll be there in ten.’

* * *

I drop the phone onto the couch cushion next to me and unmute the TV. What did I just do? I asked my brother to teach me to dance. Shit. I’m dancing for this woman? I guess my two left feet would sink me, and she’s already seen me flounder around a dance floor once. But still, this feels big. Considering I’ve not dated in a long time; I didn’t expect such big moves from the heart so quickly.

16

LUCY

‘Oooh, isn’t he fancy – driving a white Range Rover? What a stud.’

I laugh. ‘Please don’t use the word stud around him.’

‘Why not, darling?’

‘I just— can’t…’ I shake my head, worried about three people and their mouths now: Aaron, Madi and Mitzi. This could be super-fun or overly humiliating – let’s pray for the former.

‘All I’m saying is that the man drives a nice car, it means he’s not some sponge.’

‘Sponge?’

‘Sixties slang, darling. Brandon was a sponge.’

Blech. Why’d she bring him up? Not that I disagree, but…

‘No sponge either,’ I say in a sing-song voice, making her laugh.

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