“I’m just glad to have you back.”He pulled her gently toward the dance floor and she followed, slipping easily into his arms as a slow rhumba began to play.
“I didn’t know you could dance,” she said, as they moved around the dance floor.
“I’m full of surprises,” he said, “and I think I like dancing with you.”
He twirled her around, and she laughed.“Yeah?”
“So far, it’s the only time you’ve let me lead,” he said into her ear, when he brought her close again.
She laughed out loud.“We’ll have to go dancing more often, then, to give you a chance.”
“Did you see Sarah and Simon?”he asked.
“I did,” she said, twisting around to face him again.
“Next year we may need to change the name of the initiative after all, to showcase your matchmaking abilities.”
“Right.”She laughed.“Pages, Paws, and Passion.”
“Does this mean you’re officially giving us another chance?”
She didn’t even have to consider the question.In the short time they had been dancing, her stress had dissipated like she had just returned home after a long trip.Betty was right.Life was too short to always be protecting herself, to always be hiding from relationships.
“Yes,” she said.“I am.But slow, remember.I’ll need you to be patient.”
“I can do that.”
The band shifted into a slower rhythm, and he gathered her into his arms.
“And you should know: I’m probably going to mess up again,” she said.“I’ll probably get scared again.Pull away.”
“Sounds like you’re describing one of your cats.”
“Well, I do spend a lot of time with them.”
“Then I’ll just have to be patient.”He pulled her close and kissed her on her forehead.“You’re worth waiting for.But I won’t chase you,” he added gently.“If you pull away, I’ll give you space.Just don’t mistake that for me not caring.”
She didn’t say anything, only squeezed him a little closer.
Later, they left the dance floor to get a drink and so he could catch her up on the bookstore and the steps he had taken regarding the expansion.
Sarah and Simon walked past them at eleven thirty, holding hands and barely noticing anyone around them.
“Yep, looks like the cat matchmaker definitely struck that couple,” Lance murmured in her ear.
“I had nothing to do with it.The cats did all the work.”
He just chuckled and pulled her closer.
As the night wound down and people drifted toward the exits, Raven walked over to collect Wren and introduce her to Lance.
“Hi,” said Wren, reaching out to shake his hand.Raven was pleased Wren was civil and still distracted by the group conversation.
“I’ll see you at the car?”she asked Wren.
“I’m staying in town tonight,” said Wren.“At Roz’s place.”
Raven nodded, feeling for the second time that evening like a spectator in her daughter’s life.“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
