Page 75 of Someone to Tempt
“I’ve seen the way you two move.” Tom shimmies his hips, and I try not to cringe outright. “Based on how it started and how it’s going, I’d say a trip to Echoveil Lake might be just the thing to seal the deal.”
I’m saved from responding when Char claps her hands and indicates class is starting. “The Fun Fest showcase will be here before we know it,” she reminds us. “I want to see you all giving it everything you have during each dance.”
Grandpa winks at me. “Give her everything you have, son.”
“Why are your grandfather and Tom giggling like a couple of schoolgirls?” Iris asks as she takes her place next to me.
“Probably laced their Metamucil with something,” I answer.
It’s clear my grandpa hears, because he laughs harder.
He takes Gloria’s hand and bends over it in a gallant bow, kissing her knuckles and making her laugh softly. “See how it’s done?” he calls out.
Iris stares wide-eyed at me. “What’s going on?”
“I have no idea,” I lie as Char starts the music.
We begin the steps of our first dance, a waltz. “I missed you,” I whisper into her hair.
“We were together a few days ago.”
“It’s not enough,” I say, letting my hand drift lower on her hip.
“Jake, position, please,” Char admonishes me, her voice laced with humor, and I raise my hand to the small of Iris’s back.
“That’s another thing I haven’t been able to stop thinking about,” I say against her ear as we take our first turn. “All the different positions I want you in.”
She misses a step, but I twirl her so no one in the class notices.If she falters, I want to be the one who catches her.
“You have to stop. I’m barely holding it together as it is.”
“Let me do the holding, Iris. Have dinner with me tonight.”
“Jake, you’ve seen the signs Joey put around town. If I’m going to have a chance, I need to dedicate myself to work.”
“We’ll strategize while we eat,” I tell her. “You owe me a date.”
“Your version of fun is dinner and campaign strategies?”
“I’d prefer you and me in bed, but I’ll take what I can get.”
The song comes to an end, and Char gives us a few tips for the salsa, which is up next.
Only three couples are part of this number: Iris and me, my grandfather and Gloria, and Louis and his aide.
I glance down at Iris, expecting to see her exasperated by my teasing—instead, her bottom lip trembles.
“Oh, shit. Are you crying?”
“I don’t cry,” she insists, even as her dark eyes shimmer with tears. “At least I didn’t before Monday night. But I’m not going to cry in the middle of dance class.” Her voice catches on the last word, and one plump tear streaks down her cheek before she can wipe it away.
“We need five minutes,” I call as I take Iris’s elbow and lead her toward the back of the studio. “I’ve got a cramp, and Iris is going to help me work it out.”
“That’s a good one,” Tom shouts with a hearty laugh. “The ole ‘I need you to rub my?—”
“Hush, Thomas,” Janie commands.
“We’re good.” Iris raises her hand, but the fact that she doesn’t argue or pull away tells me everything I need to know.
