We exchange hugs and pleasantries, and soon the tables are carted off to form a makeshift dance floor and soft music plays as Marcela and Theo slow dance to a song I’ve never heard before. My chest hurts, watching how right they look together. That ache in my chest only grows as more couples join around them, the need to have Leti in my arms like an itch under my fingers.
I’m about to ask her to dance when she holds out her hand. A grin I can’t contain takes over my entire face even as I raise a brow at her.
“You dance, Leticia?” I take her hand, squeezing hard in case she changes her mind. “This is certainly a surprise.”
“Don’t get used to it, sunshine boy.” Still, she’s smiling as wide as I am. Her hands wrap behind my neck as mine settle on her waist. “And watch out for your toes. It’s been over a decade since I was forced into a slow dance.”
“You’ll get the hang of it,” I say as she immediately jams my foot with her heel. We stumble backward into another couple, but luckily I’m able to steer us away before the collision gets too ugly. “Guess I spoke too soon.”
“I’msosorry.” Her cheeks turn pink with embarrassment. “I knew asking you to dance was a bad idea.”
“It’s fine.” I try not to laugh, but she’s too adorable not to. “Here, let me lead, okay?”
“Is that not what I’m doing?”
“When I step forward, you step back.” I demonstrate, and she follows my path. When we manage to do this successfully a few times, I say, “That’s it. You’re doing it.”
“I am?” Her face lights up as we smoothly get through the entire song without any more stumbles. “Hey, this isn’t so bad after all.”
“See? You’re a natural.”
“You’re not funny.” Now that she’s gotten the hang of the steps, she relaxes into me, resting her head against my shoulder. “I’m really glad we did this.”
“So am I.” I let out a sigh. “So, what do you think? The night isn’t over yet, but have I made up for my first two first date flops yet?”
“Oh yeah,” she says. “You made up for those a long time ago, Julian. Trust me.”
42
Leti
We get through dinner and the movie successfully. His arm is around my shoulders as he leads us outside the theater. “What’d you think of the movie?”
“Loved it,” I tell him. “It was appropriately cheesy.”
“What about our date?”
When we reach his car, he opens the passenger door for me but I make no move to climb in.
“Would you say it was a success?” he asks.
“A smashing success.” My arms curl behind his head and bring him down to my mouth. “Retracing our steps was a good idea on your part.”
“Glad you agree,” he says against my lips. “Come on, let’s get out of here. You have a final evaluation to do.”
He pries himself from my body and jogs to the other side of the car before I can ask him what he means. Even inside the car, he refuses to budge until we reach our building. Once he turns off the ignition, he turns in his seat to better face me.
“Now that our deal is over, it’s time for you to rank your dates.”
My eyes bug out at him.
“From one being the best to three being the worst. Me, Nathaniel, and Anerie. Go.”
“Is this really necessary?” I roll my eyes. His face is all no-nonsense. “You’re at number one. Nathaniel and Anerie are tied for dead last. Happy?”
“So, you’re saying I crushed the competition?” He beams at me.
“Your turn.”
