Page 42 of Love, Always and Forever
He was right about that. Amy just hoped Ricky and the others hadn’t figured out the significance of the chocolate kisses she’d baked into the peanut butter cookies she’d made special for him. When in doubt, bluff. She did her best to pretend they’d been no big deal.
“I’d be glad to send you the recipe. I’ll email it to Mikhail, and he can forward it on to you.”
Marlene looked pleased. “That would be great. I love trying out new recipes. Now, shall we get started? Misha, you and Jay can move the furniture while Amy and I pick out the music.”
Five minutes later, Marlene partnered with her son as they demonstrated the basic box step. At first, the two of them moved slowly with deliberate precision, repeating the same pattern over and over while Jay and Amy watched. It looked simple enough, even if a bit stilted. Then, they picked up the pace and made a smooth sweep the length of the living room and back to where they’d started.
Mikhail and his mother were both grinning when the song finally came to a stop. Amy applauded and laughed when they both bowed.
“Now, it’s time for you two to try.” Marlene held her hand out to Jay. “You be my partner while Mikhail works with Amy.”
The two couples lined up next to each other, close enough that Marlene could offer advice but with enough room between them so they wouldn’t get in each other’s way. Mikhail settled his big hand on the center of Amy’s back. The warmth of his palm helped ease her nervousness, and his grip on her right hand was gentle but firm.
“All right, we’ll start without the music while I count off the beat. One, two, three, four. And again.”
Amy kept her eyes focused on her own feet as Mikhail moved them both across the floor. “Look up at me, Amy.”
She stumbled slightly as she dragged her gaze up to meet his, but he caught her. The corner of his mouth quirked up in a slight smile. After a quick glance toward where his mother was explaining something to Jay, he leaned in closer to whisper. “You’re doing fine. Pretend it’s just the two of us dancing alone in your kitchen.”
Then he moved them out of the same square pattern to slowly take a turn around the room, just as he and Marlene had done. Other than a couple of awkward moves on her part, they made it back to the starting point without any major mishaps.
Even though Marlene had had most of her focus on her own partner, she called out a few constructive comments to them. “Misha, check your frame. Your hand should be higher on her back.”
He dutifully slid his hand up to just below Amy’s shoulder. Maybe it was her imagination or wishful thinking on her part, but the stroke felt more like a caress than a technical adjustment.
“Now, that same box step can be used in the waltz, the foxtrot, and even one of the Latin dances. Misha, let’s show them.”
Jay joined Amy on the sidelines as once again Marlene and her son demonstrated the various rhythms and dances.
After a few trips around the room, Marlene gave her and Jay their marching orders. “Why don’t you two try all three styles?”
Jay didn’t move until Mikhail looked at him and nodded. Seriously, had he just asked his permission to dance with her? What the heck was up with that? But the music had already started, so there was no time for questions. All she could do was give the dance her best shot.
Jay was looking pretty grim as the two of them got into position. The tension thrumming in his big body was obvious even though the only points of actual contact were where his hand rested lightly on her back and his other one held hers in a death grip. For some reason, his nervousness helped banish some of her own.
“I’m not going to bite, Jay.”
He’d been staring determinedly over her head, but his gaze dropped down, briefly meeting hers before glancing toward Mikhail. “I know, but he might.”
“He’s just unhappy because you’ll outshine him out on the dance floor next week.”
Jay’s laughter rang out over the music. “Sweetheart, he’s unhappy all right. But I’m here to tell you that it has nothing to do with any dancing skills I might or might not have.”
What was he talking about?
Before she could ask, Mikhail tapped Jay on the shoulder. “I’m cutting in.”
She protested. “But your mother wanted the two of us to go through all three dances together.”
Jay immediately released his hold on her and backed away, his hands in the air. “You know what, I think I need your mom’s help on that last dance style. Yep, I’m sure of it.”
Then Amy was back in Mikhail’s arms, and he swept her across the room, moving too fast for her to ask him what his problem was. Not that she wanted to be anywhere else than right where she was. The only thing that would make it even better was if they didn’t have an audience.
“You’re a natural at this.”
She suspected her dance partner was exaggerating, but that didn’t detract from the fun she was having right then. “I suspect it’s because I’ve got a great teacher.”
“Thank you.”
