Page 56 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
The music changed and Gwen beamed. “Dance with me, Big Guy.”
“Absolutely.” I let her drag me onto the floor and I twirled her around.
The music changed to a line dance I’d taught her, and we did it together, her confidence shining, as she kicked up her cute little boots, and laughed. Mercy, Verity, AJ, and Dean joined us on the floor.
We danced and danced until sweat drenched us, and I was a little out of breath. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Beer me, please,” she said and nodded.
“Nice moves, Bucket.” Mercy nodded. She turned to Gwen. “My other big sister knows all sorts of obscure line dances. Let me teach you this one she showed me when we were in Greece. I still wish you would have come with us.”
Her look went wistful. “Me, too.”
I got us each a beer and came back to the table. Mercy, Gwen, and Verity were doing some dance I’d never seen before.
“You still have your moves,” I said to AJ, as I took a pull of my beer.
“So do you. Has she met your sister yet?” AJ asked.
I shook my head. “Not yet. But I think Zaya will like her.”
“She’s kind and works her ass off. Zaya will appreciate it. We’re heading out to our cabin, but I’m here if you need me,” AJ told me.
“Thanks.” I sighed. “I’m hoping I made the right choice by leaving Portland. They twisted me up so badly there’s no way I could stay.”
“Everyone’s going to think you’re after a championship,” he told me.
“There are worse reasons to change teams.”
AJ’s eyes focused on the three ladies as they kicked and turned. “True. I’ve never seen her look so happy.”
“Gwen is fun to be around. It’s comfortable, like I’ve known her for years instead of weeks. She’s so different from Morgan, too.” I got out my phone and snapped a few more pictures of her, as if by doing so I could save some of her joy for later.
“Both are driven women who know what they want, and are determined to get it, but…” I shook my head. “It’s not their age difference. Maybe the way they approach the world? Gwen is cautious until she isn’t. That’s when she really shines.”
We talked some more, enjoying the night as it cooled off and the stars came out.
“Your sister’s farm is nice. This was a good choice,” I told AJ. This was exactly what I needed–a little slice of comfort. Some farm animals, good food and music, and beer with decent company.
I’d absolutely do this again.
Gwen came back off the floor. Her hair was stuck to her shiny face. She grabbed her beer and drained the entire thing.
“That was refreshing. Thanks.” She held out her hand. “Can we get some apple cider donuts, then dance some more?”
“We can do whatever you want, Firecracker,” I told her. “We’ve got all night.”
Chapter Eighteen
Clark
“What do you think of this for your cow’s house?” I swiped the screen of my tablet, brought up a sketch I’d made and sent it to Gwen on insta-chat. It was a tiny pink cow complete with flower boxes.
It wouldn’t take that much time to build and the materials would be easy enough to get. I had a two-year degree in architecture and had been looking to transfer to a state university, but instead got signed by the Knights.
Mostly, I wanted to build better barns, plan efficient farming communities, and keep small farms alive and well.
“I think it should be pinker.” Gwen looked like she might be on the ice. It seemed like she often went there at night after she gotoff work and I worried about her getting back to her place alone so late.
