Page 1 of Jilted
Chapter One
Amy walked around the studio, double checking to make sure there was nothing on the floor. They’d been cleaned and freshly waxed two nights ago, and the studio had been closed to lessons all weekend, but the first class of the day was a group of fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds. They were a handful in their own right, but once the music got pumping, they were worse. Not to mention, at that age, the hormones were rampant.
She had several students who were here because they were serious about becoming professional ballroom dancers. Others, though, she was convinced they were just here to cop a feel with a member of the opposite sex. She remembered what it was like at that age. And she vividly remembered what it was like to dance with a boy she had a crush on.
Brett Hudson.
His name still gave her goose bumps.
Amy started dance classes when she was five. She met Brett when she was ten. They were paired up together during one lesson, and since that day, they’ve been dance partners, best friends, and now, they were business partners. Four years ago, they opened their own dance studio.
Satisfied that the floor was clean and safe, she moved on to make sure all the playlist was ready to go. Nothing disrupted the flow of a class more than having to stop and search for the correct music.
“I got it!” Brett rushed through the doors, his blue eyes sparkling. “I got it, Amy!”
“The TV show?” Amy exclaimed. “My God, Brett, that’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you.” She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him.
Brett picked her up, spun her around, and laughed. “I can’t believe it either,” he said, setting her back on her feet.
Amy couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “Don’t forget your friends when you become famous.”
“Never.” He dropped his bag on the floor and kicked it toward the corner. A habit of his that really annoyed her. “We have to go out and celebrate tonight.”
“Yeah.” She laughed. Since Dancing Duel had become so popular, Brett had joked about trying to become a professional dancer on the show. Amy had always encouraged him, but it wasn’t until recently that he finally took her encouragement to heart. And now it had paid off. Big time. She was thrilled for him.
“We’ll go to Gregorio’s for dinner, and then to that new club on the boulevard for drinks and dancing.” He snapped his fingers and wiggled his hips.
Amy laughed. “You mean Nefarious?”
“Yeah, that’s the place. We’ll go there and dance the night away.”
Like they didn’t dance enough as it was. She smiled and shook her head. It was a rare occasion to see Brett in such a good mood. He’d had a string of bad relationships lately, and they had taken a real toll on him emotionally. Getting on this show was exactly what he needed.
“I’ll pick you up at six?”
“I’ll be ready.” She refocused her attention on the task at hand – getting the music ready for their upcoming class. “Oh, and Brett, tonight’s my treat. No arguments.”
He grinned big enough to showcase his dimple. Amy had more than one fantasy about kissing that very dimple. She looked away, afraid her true thoughts would be displayed on her face for him to see. Lying to him was something she never could successfully do.
In the entire time they’d known each other, not once had they ever shown any sort of sexual attraction to each other. No flirty looks or words; no drunken admissions of love; no regrettable caresses or kisses. They were just best friends and business partners. Plain and simple.
Of course, like any best friends they talked about everything, including relationships and sex. They just never talked about doing it together, even though she’d thought about it – a lot.
Why wouldn’t she? He was tall, lean, and muscular, with abs to die for and arms that always kept her entranced. They were strong yet graceful. His legs were the same way, and she’d imagined more than once what it would feel like to have his svelte body pressed firmly against hers. Brett had a headful of thick, black hair, and piercing blue eyes.
Amy blew out a breath and fanned her face with her hand. She had to stop thinking about him like that. Nothing would ever come of it, and her inappropriate fantasies would only frustrate her.
“It is hot in here, isn’t it?” Brett asked, interrupting her thoughts. “Is the air on?”
“Uh,” she cleared her throat, “yeah, I think so. I’ll go double check.”
Amy quickly left the room, happy to be away from Brett for a few moments. What had gotten into her today? She hadn’t thought of him like that in years. Why now? Why today?
She’d better get her act together before tonight because it would be a very long night if she spent it fantasizing about the one man she could never have.
“Is it just me or was that class more difficult than usual?” Brett blew out a breath and dragged a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what got into them today, but damn.” He laughed.
“It’s spring. The kids are anxious for the nice weather. I guess it’s to be expected.” Amy sat in one of the chairs that were set out for the parents and removed the towel that she’d draped around her neck.
