“I danced a little, but I probably need more lessons,” Riva said defensively. “Although I prefer the privacy of the kitchen.”
Windy laughed. “Just pretend you know what you’re doing and you’ll be fine.”
After a couple of songs, Riva almost felt like she’d broken through, or broken the ice, but it seemed it was possible to have a fun evening after all. Really, why did she obsess over such tiny things? It was good to move with the music, to follow Windy’s lead, to dance with abandon ... to be part of something bigger than herself.
Windy was just twirling Riva when Marcus and Laurel moved closer, and suddenly Marcus grabbed Riva’s free hand and gracefully swapped partners so that Laurel was partnered with Windy and Riva was partnered with him. She didn’t mind the switch, but couldn’t miss the look of concern, or perhaps envy, in Laurel’s eyes. Of course, now Riva regretted the dance floor trade-off.
At the end of the song, Riva was about to excuse herself from Marcus when Kitty stepped up and tapped her on the shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”
“Not at all.” Riva smiled in relief. Especially since they were playing a slow dance number now. Good timing to go sit down. That is, if Marcus would let go of her hand. “I, uh, I need a break anyway.”
“Of course you do.” Kitty’s tone was placating as she moved close to Marcus. “Most of you older folks just don’t have the stamina to keep up.”
Marcus, still holding Riva’s hand, nodded. “I need a break too.”
“Not until you dance with me,” Kitty insisted, tugged his hand free from Riva’s. “Remember you promised me another dance? I’m claiming it now.”
Without sticking around to hear Marcus’s response, Riva returned to the table where Laurel was glowering and Windy looked a bit flushed and tired.
“We don’t have to stay here all evening,” Riva told them. “It looks like Fiona’s band is a hit with all ages. I doubt we’d be missed.”
“But I’m still enjoying the music,” Windy told her.
“What about you?” Riva turned to Laurel. “Wanna go?”
Laurel shrugged. “I was having a good time ... that is, until someone moved in and ruined it.”
Riva wasn’t sure if Laurel was referring to her or Kitty, but she didn’t want to find out. “Well, maybe I wanted to prove that I’m trying to escape my inhibitions.”
“You don’t have to trythathard.” Laurel’s tone was snarky.
“Did Kitty actually cut in on you?” Windy asked Riva.
“Sort of.”
“Sort of?” Laurel sniffed. “Looks to me like Marcus is enjoying himself.”
“I think he’s being polite,” Riva told her. “He wanted to take a break and Kitty wouldn’t let him.”
“Do you think Kitty could dance any closer to him?” Laurelasked. “And that outfit she’s wearing”—Laurel scoffed—“does she think she’s fifteen?”
“It’s what I was thinking too,” Windy admitted.
“I keep wondering how old that woman is,” Laurel said. “She has to be at least midfifties, and that’s if she was still a teen when she married the first time.”
“Maybe you should check her driver’s license,” Riva teased.
“Good idea.” She reached for Kitty’s oversized purse.
“I was kidding.” Riva gasped as Laurel unzipped the bag.
“Laurel.” Windy’s tone held warning.
“Lighten up, you two. She won’t see me.”
“I refuse to witness this.” Riva stood. “I’ll be in the women’s room.”
“Me too,” Windy said, following her.
