Page 13 of Dance With Me
For the next hour, Joe and Clare went through their dance. Seb heaped praise on them when they did something right but tutted when they—usually Joe—missed a step. They repeated the steps over and over until Joe didn’t know what was happening anymore. His feet ached, his head ached, and he was getting seriously sick and tired of hearing that damn tune again and again.
Like last time, Seb clapped when they finished. “Wow, it’s really coming along, guys. You’re going to look fantastic at the wedding. I just wish I could be there to see it.”
“You should come along to the reception. I’d love for you to be there,” Clare said. “Wouldn’t that be great, Joe?”
“Yeah, yeah. You should definitely come. See how well we do.” Joe winced at the thought.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Seb said, biting his lip and looking a little unsure.
Joe would love nothing better than to kiss those lips to soothe the sting that would no doubt be there from Seb’s bite. He couldn’t believe the direction of his thoughts. This was new! Very new, and he struggled to concentrate on what they were saying.
“You wouldn’t be. You could lead the dancing later on in the evening.” Clare laughed. “Make sure they get the Macarena right.”
“Let me know the date, and I’ll get back to you. I can’t promise anything, though.” Seb smiled as he started to pack away.
“That would be so amazing if you could come. Anyway, I have to go. A night out with the girls is just what the doctor ordered. Will you walk me out, Joe?”
Joe followed Clare out of the building and looked over to the waiting car. “Who’s picking you up?”
“Oh, just one of the girls. She’s got an earlyish start in the morning, so she agreed to drive,” Clare answered quickly. “I’ll see you later.”
“I’ll walk you to the car. Which friend is it?”
“No,” Clare said a little forcefully, “I can manage.” She kissed Joe on the cheek and ran to the waiting car. She got in, and as it drove away, Joe tried to see who was driving, but it was impossible to make out with the tinted windows. Realising he’d left his bag and keys inside the studio, he went back to get them. Seb met him at the door, about to lock it.
“Sorry, I left my things back in there. Forgot to pick them up.” Joe moved to go past him.
“It’s OK. I have them here. Just your bag and keys?”
“Yeah, just those. Thanks for grabbing them.” Joe looked at Seb, losing himself again in the other man’s deep, soulful eyes.
“I never really thanked you for Saturday,” Seb said quickly, “dropping me off back homeandbuying lunch. I should return the favour.” He laughed nervously.
“It was no problem. My pleasure, really. I see you got your car back. All fixed now?” Joe asked. He wanted to carry on talking, not let him leave.
“Yeah. It was ready on Monday. Dominic dropped me off in the morning to collect it.”
Joe scowled. Who the hell was Dominic? He didn’t ask. It wasn’t his business. He had to keep remembering that, but every time he saw Seb that became more difficult.
“Are we still OK for tomorrow at lunchtime? I really need the extra practice.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He pushed his hands into his pockets.
Seb’s eyes lit up at his question. “Absolutely. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll get lunch, as you got it Saturday.”
“You don’t need to; I can bring it on my way.” Joe insisted.
“No, really, let me. Do you want the same as Saturday? I’ll just order from The Coffee Mill.” Seb nodded to the shop next door.
“OK, that would be great.” Joe relented. He was seriously tempted to ask him to go for a drink now but realised it wouldn’t be fair to either of them. Even though he now knew that Seb was gay, he couldn’t assume that Seb felt the same way he was beginning to.
Seb seemed to realise he still held Joe’s things and handed them to him with a shrug. As he did so, his hand brushed against Joe’s. Joe didn’t believe in all this ‘sparks flying’ bullshit, but as they touched, he couldn’t help but shiver at the sensation. They continued to stare at each other, their hands still connected. All sounds around them fell away until it was just the two of them—cocooned in their own quiet bubble.
A car horn in the distance broke the spell, and Seb dropped his hand, the moment gone.
“So, erm, I’m just going to go. Gotta feed the dog, you know and, erm, take him for a walk. I’ll see you tomorrow?” It was more of a question than a statement.
“Of course, I’ll be there.” Wild horses wouldn’t keep him away now, but he wasn’t going to tell Seb that.
Chapter Eight
