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Dial pretended to retch. Speaking of her parents, they came dancing up to our table. “Are you two going to be wallflowers all night? Get up and move something,” Sheila ordered us.
“We’re just warming up,” Dial shouted over the music. “This place is different.”
“It’s a sex club,” her dad announced with an air of pride.
“I called that.” My eyes slammed into Dial. “Didn’t I say that?”
“Don’t worry, you don’t have to participate,” Sheila added. “Joe and I never do. We just like the music and the easy, nonjudgmental vibe.”
“And I can grope your momma on the dance floor without rude stares.”
Sheila’s naughty giggle made me uncomfortable.
“That’s very… progressive of you two.” Dial tried to weed out the shock from her voice.
“Dial, you’re in a new city where no one knows your name—let your hair down.” Sheila tossed her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. “Us mommas gotta have a life too before it passes us by.” Turning to me, she asked, “Ozzie, can you make sure this one has some fun? At the very least cuts a rug or two.”
“Yes, ma’am, consider it done.” Dial was always so concerned with work and making sure everyone else was okay that she rarely took a moment for herself. I wanted her to know that with me she could turn her brain off for a while and just do what felt good. I’d keep her safe. She could drop her guard around me because I had her back.
“We’re gonna get another drink. I suggest you do the same and then move something.” Sheila’s giggles peppered the air as Joe pulled her toward the bar.
“Do you wanna leave?” I asked.
Dial eyed the dance floor furtively. “No, I can have fun. I do fun stuff all the time. Reese and I go bowling every other Thursday, and I’m in a book club”
“You’re living life on the edge.” I tried not to laugh.
“When was the last time you veered off the beaten path?” I opened my mouth to answer, but she cut me off. “And don’t say horseback riding on the beach, because we both did that.”
“I’m taking racecar-driving classes.”
She let the phallic straw fall from her mouth. “Excuse me?”
“When I’m in L.A. for work, I sign up to take a couple laps around the track.”
“How fast?”
“Depends on the car and how many classes you’ve participated in.”
“Ozzie, you have a family. What if you get injured?”
“I’m real careful.” I gave her a crooked smile.
“I’m serious. If something happened to you…” Her skin was lusterless as the weight behind her words sank in. “If I lost you—”
“That’s not gonna happen. When we’re in our eighties, I’ll still be breaking up your first dates.”
“God, I hope not.” She cringed and turned to observe the crowd.
It was a mixed group, most in cowboy hats and boots. Many of the women were flashing skin, and Dial fit right in, with low-rise jeans and a bandeau top that showed off her ripped stomach. I hadn’t a clue where Sheila was wearing this shit, but I was glad she’d convinced Dial to try it on.
The same man passed by our table three times, probably building up the courage to approach Dial. Each time he did, I’d mean-mug him, hoping he’d get the message. We weren’t on a date, but she’d still come here with me, which meant something.
In her seat, Dial started to sway to the music. The mid-tempo country song seemed to be a popular one, because the dance floor was packed with bodies grinding close.
Holding out my hand, I said, “Dance with me.”
Dial slipped her perfect hand in mine. “Don’t embarrass me in Gainsborough, now.”
