Page 29 of How Sweet It Is

“How long ago did you break up?”

“About two months ago.”

Amelia gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry. It looks like the breakup was hard on you.”

I nod, my throat growing tight. I have dated a lot of girls, but Lisa was special. I felt like we connected on a deeper level. So her words to me really stung.

You’re just a loser. You’ll never amount to anything.

The guy she dumped me for is in his last year of medical school. He’ll be a pediatrician soon. And what will I be? A failed business owner?

Amelia squeezes my hand. “Hey, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked about your ex. I ruined the dance high you were on.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Dance high?”

“Yeah, you had this look on your face, like you were floating on clouds. And I messed that up. Now you’re back to looking like Eeyore again.”

I laugh at that. “Eeyore? Was I really that gloomy?”

“Oh yeah. You were even gloomier. Eeyore after getting a paper cut.”

“Ouch.” I can’t stop laughing at that image in my head. Luckily, Rita stops us and shows us how to do the walkaround turn, and we have something else to concentrate on.

As we go back to dancing, I pay attention to Amelia’s facial expressions. She’s getting into the flow and enjoying herself. She’s actually learning the dance steps and not laughing at me. It’s making me extremely happy.

Amelia isn’t tall, blond, and glamorous or all eyes and flirtation like Lisa was. But she’s real. Focused. And she’s not treating me like I’m a joke. And I have to admit, there’s a sizzle between us.

My finger involuntarily caresses Amelia’s back, and her gaze snaps to mine. Does she feel what is happening between us? That intangible pull that makes me want to take her into my arms and explore her lips?

I look into her brown eyes and take in the way her hand feels in mine and the way she’s staring at me, with that look of curiosity. I want to crack a joke, but I force myself to stay silent. To experience this moment as the music moves us around the dance floor.

All too soon, the music stops, and the lesson is over. I have to let go of Amelia. It feels weird now that I’ve shared something so personal with her. I didn’t think about it before I brought her here, but now I don’t know what to do with my hands.

Rita invites us to come to her studio on the weekends for her dance party. I don’t want to see how Amelia reacts to that. For some reason, I’m suddenly shy and slightly embarrassed that I carted her off the island to my secret place.

Amelia elbows me. “Thanks for bringing me here. When I first suggested dancing, I thought you’d take me to some loud club.”

“Is this better than a club?”

She smiles, and it changes her whole face. “So much better.”

My heart swells, and I want to pull her to me and kiss the top of her head. I refrain, though, because she’s my employee, and I don’t think she would like that. But I’m seriously happy Amelia likes this dance studio. I never had the courage to bring Lisa here. I knew she’d hate it.

“I’m glad you had fun.”

Amelia slides her jacket on and pulls her purse off the hook. She turns to me, sliding her hand over her hair. “I think my hair is falling out of my bun.”

I bite my lips together, because she’s totally right. Strands of her hair are falling down, and it’s kind of messy looking. But I honestly love it. Amelia needs some messiness in her life.

“Not really,” I lie, holding back a laugh.

“You liar. It’s totally falling out.”

“Okay, maybe a little. Just there.” I point. “And there.” I point all over her head. “And there.”

She grabs my finger, pulling my hand down, but she doesn’t let go right away. It lingers for a second before she breaks contact. “Very funny. I’m sure I look like a disaster.”

“Not so. I think it’s cute.” I pause and look at her. “You’recute,” I say quietly.

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