“There’s a genius in this room, but it’s the one who’s creating a kick-ass app from scratch.” He caressed her cheek. “I just hate that you’re under so much pressure to get it right. It’s so fucked up. Everyone gets the chance to make mistakes.”
“Not me.” She shook her head. “I’m not afforded the luxury of making a mistake. When I mess up, it just makes it that much harder for the next brightyoung black girl who has so much to contribute to this field. I refuse to get in her way.”
“Why are you so amazing?”
“Because I have to be,” Samiah said with an overly bright smile as she willed herself into a better mood. “But thank you for noticing.” She picked up the tablet, determined to get this right. “And thank you for listening to my bitch-and-moan fest. Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, maybe I can get through the rest of the night without pitching this thing out the window.”
She woke up her laptop, but before she could click into the software, Daniel took hold of it and set it on the end table opposite of where she could reach it.
“What are you doing?”
He lifted her feet from his lap and placed them on the floor. “Come on,” he said. “You need a break.”
“I don’t have time for a break.”
“So we’ll make time.”
“Daniel—”
He captured her cheeks between his palms. “Samiah, you’re driving yourself crazy. You’ve been so focused on this app that you’ve probably worked yourself into programmer’s block.”
“Programmer’s block?” she deadpanned. “Really?”
“It’s a thing. I swear it is. It’s like writer’s block, but for geek heads. Give this a rest for a few hours. Once you get out of your own head, you’ll be able to focus.” He nudged her. “Why don’t we check out a club? I’ve been here nearly two months and haven’t stepped foot on Sixth Street. You can give me the local’s view of Austin’s night life.”
“I’m not local, remember?”
“You’re more local than I am.”
She narrowed her gaze, but when it came to curbing her laugh, she couldn’t do it.
“You know I’m only agreeing to this because of those dimples, right? They’re pretty hard to resist.”
“My best weapons, by far.” That already irresistible grin had the nerve to get even sexier. “Make that my second best.”
Her stomach quivered, a shudder rushing through her as his bold assertion triggered an earth-shattering reaction throughout her bloodstream. Maybe they shouldn’t leave her condo after all.
Don’t go there.
But, goodness, she was ready to go there. So damn ready.
“Go on.” Daniel nudged his chin toward her bedroom. “I keep a change of clothes in my car in case I go for a run. I’ll go get it while you change.”
“Fine. I’ll go clubbing with you.” She stood. Starting for her room, she threw over her shoulder, “But you have to promise to dance.”
“Wait.” Samiah felt herself being pulled by the hem of her shirt. She turned to him. “I don’t dance,” he said.
“You do now.” She stuck her tongue out, then took off for her bedroom, more excited than she’d felt about anything in a long time.
Neither of them were feeling the first two clubs they tried. She hadn’t realized just how dramatically her taste in both music and atmosphere had changed until faced with the prospect of listening to that head-thumping beat for more than ten minutes. It was a good thing Daniel had an old soul when it came to music; he didn’t launch a single complaint when she asked to leave.
She was surprised when he agreed to join her at a salsa club, and even more surprised when she dragged him on the floor and he salsaed better than she did.
Strobe lights illuminated the dance floor with streaks of magenta, amber, and violet, the rich hues whirring to the rhythm of the high-energy Latin music pulsing like a heartbeat throughout the club. Samiah hadn’t had a particular purpose in mind when she’d pulled on her favorite Betsey Johnson midi dress with the ruffled hem, but it turned out to be the perfect choice for tonight. The flouncy fabric caressed her thighs with every twist and twirl. She felt sexy. Alive.
Free.
She had never felt so fucking free. Her makeup had long since melted off, and her hair was no doubt a mess from their nonstop dancing in the sweltering nightclub. But shedid notcare. Not even a little bit. The only thing she cared about right now was soaking in as much fun as possible.
