Page 141 of How to Dance

Hayley squeezed his hand and spun neatly into his arms. “I love you, baby,” she said. Her arms encircled his neck. “You’re the sky.”

He kissed her, and they danced.

EPILOGUE

Three months later

Mimi Ranier stuck her head into the green room. “A14 is asking for you.”

Nick put down Louise Penny’sStill Life. “This isn’t a trap?”

“Yes, Nick,” she deadpanned. “The Grinch is waiting at table A14.”

Nick sighed, stood up, and followed Mimi out the door. “I hope you experience real terror one day, Mimi.”

“It was adoll, love.”

“It waslife-sized, Mimi dear. And let me tell you, when you look in the rearview mirror and see that green bastard leering back at you from your own backseat …”

“You don’t know what size the Grinch is in real life.”

Nick and Cal had recently started an escalating war of holiday pranks with Hayley and Mimi, who had become roommates so they could afford to live in a first-floor apartment with doors wide enough for a walker. Having her own space was importantto Hayley after living with Kevin for so long, but it was just as important that her new boyfriend be able to visit as easily as possible. Mimi couldn’t have been happier: The roommates got along famously, she’d convinced Nick to sample her extensive collection of paperback mysteries, and she had ample time to herself when Hayley was depleting the chocolate supply at Nick’s place.

Nick was trailing Mimi through a bustling kitchen as she scooped up a couple trays. “It can’t be this busy every night,” he said.

“Nonstop until Christmas break.” Mimi grinned. “And I love every second of it.”

The annual Vivez holiday show wasn’t just on the weekends—it sold out every night from just after Thanksgiving to just before Christmas, and the Vivez crew only had Sundays off. Seating was underway for the seven thirty show on the first Saturday in December, and Nick had never seen so many people doing so much at once, or doing it so well. Up until five minutes ago, he’d been in the green room just to stay out of the way.

They emerged out of the swinging kitchen doors and split off as Mimi headed for the higher sections and Nick for the floor seats. He was so focused on navigating the crowd that he nearly collided with a woman standing at the bottom of the ramp.

“Sorry about that,” he said, steadying himself.

“My fault.” Kacey with a K turned to face him. “I should get out of the way.”

They stared at each other, surprised.

Nick cleared his throat. “Can I help you with something, or …”

“No,” said Kacey, and then blushed a little at how quickly she’d replied. “I was headed back to my table.”

Nick looked out at the room. “But you don’t want to fight through all these people.”

“I’m worried I’ll trip someone with some trays or something,” she admitted.

“They know what they’re doing,” Nick assured her. “Come on, I’ll block for you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to …”

“Least I can do,” he said. “Where’re you sitting?”

“A14.”

He looked at her, confused. “You didn’t …”

“No.” Kacey smiled this time. “But I’m sitting with people who did.”

He grinned back. “Then let’s go.”

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