Page 8 of California Love Songs
Damien took a deep breath. He just wanted to be alone with his thoughts. Everything about this woman was too much and she didn’t look like she was going to take no for an answer graciously. Her behavior reminded him of why he usually avoided events like this, where so many of the guests were used to getting what they wanted out of life.
“That’s very flattering,” he said aloud, gently trying to create some distance. “But I’m nearly done for the night.”
The woman swayed dangerously close. “My driver’s waiting outside. I could take you wherever you want to go,” she insisted, reaching for his arm. It was pretty obvious where she wanted to go.
Damien tensed, unsure how he could extricate himself without causing a scene. He scanned the room, hoping to catch his sister’s eye or find an escape route.
Suddenly, Crystal materialized beside him, her presence a welcome lifeline.
“There you are, Damien!” she exclaimed, her tone warm but carrying a hint of authority. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You promised me a dance, remember?”
Damien blinked, momentarily confused, before catching on. “Of course,” he replied, relief evident in his voice. “How could I forget?”
Crystal turned to the drunk woman, her smile professional and disarming. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but I’m afraid I need to steal him away. Event planner’s prerogative.”
Without waiting for a response, Crystal linked her arm through Damien’s and smoothly guided him away from the awkward encounter.
“I owe you big time,” he said, thankful that his old friend had rescued him from an interaction that could have gone seriously south. The party had moved inside and a famous DJ had taken over the music.
As Crystal led him onto the dance floor, the DJ transitioned to a lively salsa number. The familiar rhythm instantly transported Damien back to high school, and a grin spread across his face.
“You remember this one?” Crystal’s eyes twinkled.
Damien chuckled, positioning his hands. “How could I forget? You spent weeks drilling these steps into my head.”
They began to move, falling into the rhythm with the practiced ease of muscle memory. Damien’s fingers tapped out the beat on Crystal’s back, an unconscious habit from his years on stage.
“I’m surprised you still know the moves,” Crystal teased, executing a perfect spin.
Damien caught her smoothly, pulling her close. “Some things you never forget,” he murmured, suddenly aware of how well they fit together.
As they moved across the floor, Damien found himself marveling at Crystal’s grace. Her jewel-toned dress swirled around her legs, catching the light with each turn.
“You know,” he said, dipping her slightly, “I think you might have missed your calling. You could’ve been a professional dancer.”
Crystal laughed, the sound musical and infectious. “Says the man who can command an entire stadium with just his guitar.”
They fell silent for a moment, letting the music guide them.
As the song reached its crescendo, Damien felt a surge of confidence. Without thinking, he spun Crystal out, then pulled her back in for a dramatic dip.
Crystal’s breath caught as Damien slowly lifted her from the dip. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the bustling party around them faded away. He found himself hyperaware of her body in his arms, the warmth of her skin. His heart raced.
“Crystal, I—” Damien began, his voice low and husky.
But before he could find the right words, she quickly stepped back, breaking the spell.
“That was… quite a finale,” she said, with what sounded like a forced light laugh. “I didn’t realize you’d become such a talented dancer.”
Damien ran a hand through his tousled hair, unsure of what to do with his arms now that she wasn’t in them. “Well, I had a good teacher,” he replied with a half-smile.
Crystal shook out her dress and tucked her hair behind her ears. “I should get back to work,” she said, glancing around the room. “Make sure everything’s running smoothly.”
“Right, of course.” Damien hoped his expression was neutral.
He took another soda from a circling waiter and prayed that no one else would interrupt his thoughts for a while. He wanted to process what had just happened. Over the years, he had danced with Crystal a hundred times. But it had never felt like this—so electric and full of intimacy. He hadn’t even needed to think about the steps. It had been like dancing with the other half of himself. He ran his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit he’d never quite shaken. The lingering warmth of Crystal’s body against his, the scent of her perfume still clinging to his shirt, left him reeling.
“Damien! Great show.” A fan’s voice snapped him back to reality.
