Page 45 of Just a Plot Twist
“But everyone’s dancing, and if we don’t get moving, we’ll get run over.” She leans to one side, pulling me with her, as a couple whizzes past us in perfect closed-position form. She giggles. “I want to tell them this isn’t actually a big dance competition.”
We’ve no sooner dodged the dancing couple when I follow Claire’s gaze to a middle-aged couple in what appears to be a full-on dance performance around the perimeter of the room. And they’re super serious about it.
There’s that ache again. Because they’re into it, man, with great fulfillment in their expressions—trust and love for each other in their eyes.
It hurts sometimes. But right now, a strange sort of hope rises in me.
When Claire steps forward to get us to move, I balk. “You can’t dance.”
“Wow. I’m already insecure about it, but then to point it out like that is just—”
“No.” I sigh. “I mean your ankle isn’t going to let you dance.”
Her gaze presses into me. “One dance. Gently. And sort of in place, like we’re gimpy.”
“But you’re in pain.”
“Nuh uh. I’ll bathe in Motrin when I get home.” She draws me closer, her green eyes flicking over my face in a dare. “Just dance with me, Benson.”
So, I do. And, with one hand at her waist and another cupping her hand, we start to sway.
“Don’t look now, but there’s the mayor of Longdale,” she whispers in my ear, her warm breath against my neck tickling me. Thrilling me.
An older gentleman dances with his wife behind us.
She lets go of my hand to yank my face back around. “I said, don’t look!”
The mayor looks like he just wants to go home and watch the NBA Finals.
“Sorry. That’s your boss, huh?”
“Technically, the city council is. But non-technically? He’s the boss.” She raises her chin and focuses hard on the steps. Issheimagining she’s on some ballroom competition television show, now?
I suppress a chuckle. “Well, let’s be on our best behavior, then.”
The mayor is light on his feet as he glides near us. “Claire, hello. You remember my wife, Keiko?” He nods in the direction of her feet. “Your ankle has healed up remarkably fast.”
“Hello, Mr. Mayor. Yes, I’m so much better now.” She introduces us, and the mayor and Keiko nod and move past us.
“Okay, that wasn’t so bad, I guess.” She leans in towards me with a cheeky smile. “What if we override the sound system and play some Kendrick Lamar?” she says, the warmth of her against me seeping below the surface of my skin.
“I think the string quartet might get a little upset by that.”
Her eyes grow round. “The string quartet isn’t who I’m worried about.”
“Right. But still. You want Kendrick.”
“Feed me some bon bons and I’ll get over it.” She laughs but then winces.
Seeing her pain, I slow. “Okay, we need to sit you down again.”
She takes in a deep breath. “Not until the song’s over,” she says between gritted teeth.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re impossible?”
“All the time. It’s one of my best qualities.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s a…bestquality…”
