Chapter 16
“Beautiful,” was Leo’s first word to me that night. He leaned against his car, waiting for me on the street’s corner like I’d requested.
He wore all-black, slacks and a dress shirt that had the top three buttons undone. Instead of leaning in for a kiss, he brought my hand up to his lips. I smiled as he led me to the passenger’s side of the car. He gave my hand another kiss before I slipped into the seat.
We drove halfway across town to a neighborhood much like my own. The homes were close together, with barely enough space to squeeze between buildings. But the front yards were large enough to be cluttered with children’s toys and plastic pools on the grass.
The downtown area was alive and loud, with people hurrying in and out of bars that played live music. Parking was near impossible, so we had to pay twenty dollars for a spot in a garage that was a decent walk to our destination.
“It’s worth it.” Leo placed his hand on the small of my back before we crossed the street. “Just for the music alone.”
“You’ve been here before?” I raised a brow. I couldn’t imagine Leo venturing past the row of mansions on the coast unless it was to hang out with my brother. Who would want to? Leo’s side of town had the best everything: schools, grocery stores, and beaches.
“Yeah, my cousins like to come down here whenever they visit,” he explained, guiding me through the thick crowd. Men wore colorful shirts while the women dressed in beautiful skirts that fluttered in the wind as they hurried across the sidewalk. The air was a mix of woodsy cologne, delicate perfume, and beer. I’m sure I looked completely bewildered as I took everything in. But I hadn’t been around this many people since a Taylor Swift concert years ago.
I was surprised when we walked up to the nightclub, Leo seemed to know the security outside. They exchanged a handshake, while Leo asked about the man’s grandmother. The security guy, who Leo called Victor, responded entirely in Spanish. Once the two were done with their niceties, Victor opened the door for us without asking for IDs.
Leo clapped the man’s shoulder and reached for my hand again as we started down the long, dark hall beyond the door. The music was muffled as we walked. There were paintings on the walls, hung close like they’d been in Leo’s parents’ house. When we reached a red curtain, Leo pulled it back to expose the muffled colors, voices, and music.
“What do you think?” He smiled at me.
“It’s…” A lot. Exciting. Overwhelming, but beautiful.
The crowd was a mix of young and old. Everyone was gorgeous and most were on the dance floor. The music was completely instrumental. There was a live band complete with a pianist, drummer, and two guitarists. There was so much color and life that I felt the need to squint at how brightly everything shone.
“I’m surprised you would take me to a place like this.” I placed my hands on his chest and stood on my toes to get my words close enough to his ear. As I spoke, Leo’s hand rested on my back. I tried to ignore that heat rising on my cheeks as he pulled me against his body. He held onto me like I was already his. Like there were no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
“Why?” he asked.
“You don’t seem like the type.”
The club was lively, the opposite of the quiet Leo I’d known over the years. This summer, I learned he wanted to be known as the guy who didn’t rock the boat. He didn’t make spectacles and he sure as hell didn’t let loose like most of the people in this place.
“What’s my type, exactly, Kira?” His hand was still on my back with fingers spread to run up and down my spine. The tingle from his touch spread to other parts of my body quickly. I could feel myself sweating from a mix of the heat of the crowd and his eyes taking me in.
“I don’t know.” I shook my head, peering up at him. “Something quiet and safe. I’m thinking wine in a glass and music barely loud enough to outshine a cough. Socialite kind of stuff.”
“Is that what you were looking for?” His fingers stopped moving up and down my back. He leaned closer to whisper in my ear, “Because that sounds a little too simple. Even for a girl like you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with simple,” I argued in a thin voice because his lips pressed against the skin underneath my earlobe. Who knew how sensitive that part of my body could be? Apparently, Leo had some idea because he pressed a few more gentle kisses there.
“You say that because you don’t know anything else.” He gave me one more kiss before adding, “Dance with me and I’ll show you?”
“As I’m sure you know, I’m not a great dancer.” I warily eyed the dance floor.
“Doesn’t matter,” he insisted, intertwining our fingers.
“It very well does. Don’t pretend you don’t understand the struggle.” I gave him a look. Being Black and rhythmless was much like being Mexican and rhythmless - it didn’t bode well, especially during parties.
“I’m sure you’re not that bad,” Leo said.
“I’ve been told to sit down more than once at family barbecues.”
Leo chuckled. “Sounds to me like you never had the right partner.”
“What does a partner have to do with it?”
“A good one can help you look good too,” he explained as he slowly pulled me towards the dance floor.
