Page 48 of Rebel Secrets
Patricia walked back and forth, long gauzy skirt swaying around her legs, dance shoes on her feet and a Minnie Mouse t-shirt, as everyone paired off.Even the Colonel and Miss Raffi had joined the class.
I swallowed as Rebel slid into place beside me, so close I felt the heat radiating off his body.I had the urge to close the gap between us to soak up a little of that warmth.
“All right, now everyone face-to-face.”
“She could give my pop a run as a drill sergeant.”
Rebel’s unexpected comment startled me and made me laugh at the same time.
I glanced up at him as we turned to face each other.
“I heard she’s wonderful with children.”
“Rebel.Do you need something?”
Rebel’s gaze slowly left mine.“No, Ms.Patricia.I’m good.”
“You most certainly are not.Stand up straight, dear.No slouching on the dance floor.”
Rebel straightened like he’d had a rod shoved up his back.Now he towered over me, and I had to tilt my head back to look at him.
“Hmm.”Patricia stopped next to us, tapping a finger against her cheek as she looked us up and down.“You’re wearing heels for the wedding, aren’t you, Erin?”
Right now, I was wearing my trusty Chucks.“Yes.”
“Four inches, at least.Can you do that?”
I smiled.“Piece of cake.”
When I looked back at Rebel, his brows were arched, but he waited until Patricia had moved on to Rocky and Tiffany, before he spoke, just loud enough for me to hear.
“I never took you for a spiked-heel kind of girl.”
“I have hidden talents.”
Rebel’s mouth quirked up at the corner.
“Okay, everyone, eyes on me.”Patricia called from the center of the floor.“I’m going to demonstrate.Raffi, you don’t mind if I borrow your husband, do you?”
“Of course not.But I reserve the right to dance with Ronald at the wedding.”
Patricia laughed, her voice low and rich.“You know my husband willnothave a problem with that.And neither will I.Music, please.”
Instrumental music poured out of the speakers, and the Colonel and the dance instructor proceeded to show off their moves.
My mouth dropped open as Rebel’s dad led Patricia around the floor with a smooth grace that left me dumbfounded.After a few seconds, I remembered to close my mouth and looked at Miss Raffi, who smiled as she watched her husband.
I snuck a glance at Rebel, grinning when I saw the same shock on his face that was mirrored on his brothers’ and sister’s faces.
“Music off.”
Stunned silenced for all off two seconds before the clapping started.Somebody whooped, probably Rowdy.Patricia held up her hands and the crowd fell silent.
“Now, everyone, do what we just did.”
We all laughed, before she pulled Rowdy and Tressy into the middle of the floor.We watched as she showed them the proper hold, telling everyone to watch and learn.Which we did.
But they made it look easy.Rowdy, especially, but Tressy had a natural grace.Together, they just looked…right.And when they smiled at each other, I gave a little sigh, hopefully not loud enough for Rebel to hear.
