Page 14 of Someone to Tempt
“You’re already doing it.” Her smile is soft. “Embracing the bucket list challenge. You make me feel like I’m not alone, and I love living vicariously through your adventures. Dancing is perfect, and performing at Fun Fest gives me a goal. I need to get home for your big debut.”
My stomach knots at the thought of what I’ve just committed to, but I don’t let my fear show. Compared to what Sloane’s facing, my challenges are nothing.
My friends seem relieved at the chance to lighten the conversation once again.
“We’ll all be at your performance,” Molly assures me.
“Do they offer pole dancing?” Taylor asks, and we all go silent once again.
“Pole dancing,” Avah repeats. “The librarian wants to pole dance.”
“Just because I like books doesn’t mean I don’t have a racy side.” She holds up this month’s book club selection, which she chose for us. It’s a dark motorcycle club romance with a beefed-up guy on the cover.
“Oh, we know.” Sloane shakes her head. “I was reading this at the hospital in Nashville, and I swear the nurse was worried at how red my cheeks were. It had everything to do with your spicy book selection.”
Taylor grins unabashedly. “Be honest, how many nights did it take you all to finish it?”
“One,” Sadie answers immediately. “Well, one and a half because Ian made me read certain parts aloud. He was inspired.”
Molly grins. “I’m happy for you and also insanely jealous.”
“Samesies,” Taylor agrees. “What about everyone else?”
Each of us holds up between one and three fingers.
“That’s right,” our favorite librarian says. “People might bad mouth romance, but they suck you in, in the best way possible.”
“Suckbeing one of the more G-rated words,” Avah murmurs.
“I’m adding pole dancing to my bucket list activity,” I tell the group, “and you’re all taking part.”
Taylor suddenly looks terrified. “As long as we don’t have to do it on stage.” She suffers from intense stage fright and has trouble even reading out loud during the weekly programs she hosts for local kids at the library.Molly, who brings her kids to the library on the regular, has admitted it’s painful to watch.
“A private class,” I assure her.
“I’m in,” Sadie agrees.
“If you get good,” Sloane tells her with a wink, “Ian’s going to install a pole in your new bedroom.”
When I first met Sadie, that comment would have sent her into a fit of anxiety, but now a smile plays along the corner of her mouth.
“It’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard,” she says, and we all laugh.
The lightness I felt a few minutes ago when I chose dancing as my challenge has expanded. I take a deep breath, feeling like I can salvage not only my chance of being elected mayor, but also my bid to have Gloria Johnson help me with the next step in my career.
The bucket list changed Sadie’s life in countless ways, so maybe my dance classes will have the same positive effect on me. I could definitely use it.
7
JAKE
“Areyou sure I can’t head straight to the office like a regular employee? I’m certain you’re plenty capable of getting yourself to your dance class, Gramps.”
He cackles—literally cackles—from the passenger side of the truck. “There’s nothing regular about you, Jakey.”
He pats the dashboard with gnarled fingers. Although Gilbert Byrne still has a thick head of shockingly white hair,he’s plagued by arthritis and various other issues that have aged his body, but not his mind. “I know you’re going to love Char, short for Charlotte—she’s our instructor—and the others, just like I knew I needed to keep this old girl running for when you came back.”
“Can we at least talk about your visions for the future on the way to your dance class?” I can hardly believe my grandfather is taking dance lessons, let alone enjoying them so much. I suppose moving is good for him, but dancing?
