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“Sure, of course. My favorite roommate and my favorite choreographer dancing together? You need a cheering section, right?” He grins at Brewser. “You cheer for me when I play hockey. I’ll return the favor.”

Brewser smiles at him, as if this is all completely fine, normal, and not at all any kind of issue. “You’re a good guy. And you think your sister will wanna come?”

“She lives in New Orleans and loves dance. She’d love that you’re dancing because of the Parkinson’s. And if I’m buying dinner, she’ll definitely show up.”

I love that he’s close with his sister, and that he was supportive of her dancing growing up. I love that I have that in common with her too. I love that he’s willing to show up, watch us dance, and support us. I love that he wants to meet his sister in New Orleans and take her to dinner.

All of that would be especially great if any of this dancing stuff was true or real.

“So you should stick around and watch us practice,” Brewser says.

I look at him quickly. What is he talking about? We’re not actually going to line dance. We haven’t even discussed this. Now he’s inviting Lawson to watch? Watch what?

“We’re just getting started so I’m not gonna be any good,” Brewser says. He chuckles. “Hell, I might not be any good after we practice for months and months, but at least I get to spend time with Sutton.”

“Definitely a perk,” Lawson says, his eyes still on me.

“Stick around. Maybe you can try it out too,” Brewser says.

I try to catch Brewser's eye, but he is refusing to look at me.

Which makes sense since I know he knows he’s in trouble. I was supposed to be dropping off a casserole and then going back to work. Not staying and giving dance lessons. Dance lessons I didn’t know about and haven’t prepared for. Dance lessons in front of a guy who makes me sweaty even twirling around on ice skates.

Lawson chuckles. “The only line dancing I’ve done is the little bit we’ve done with the hockey team.” He smiles at me. “But I’m willing to try.”

“Well, I…”

I can come up with no excuses here. Line dancing is an activity that can involve multiple people. That’s kind of the whole point. So I can’t pretend as if three people won’t work.

And, honestly, I do know some line dances. Of course.

Line dancing can be fun. And it would be a fairly easy thing to teach. And it really could be good for Brewser.

“Okay, well, let’s try something easy then, to get started,” I say, giving in to my fate.

“Easy sounds good to me,” Brewser says.

“Same,” Lawson agrees.

“Then we'll do the electric slide,” I tell them. “It’s probably the most basic line dance and goes to lots of different songs. We can talk about which song we want to dance to at the competition,” I say, giving Brewser a look that says I can’t believe you got me into this. “But for now, let’s just go over the steps without music.”

I realize a moment later that having Lawson here is actually a good idea. This way I can stand in front of them and show them the steps, but he can stand next to Brewser, and be sure he doesn’t wobble or trip.

“I’ve got him,” Lawson assures me, somehow reading my mind.

I give him a smile, then step up to the front so they can watch what I’m doing.

I am, however, acutely aware of Lawson’s eyes on me.

This isn’t brand new. I have taught the hockey team, including Lawson, dance steps exactly this way a number of times.

Today feels different.

Part of it is probably because we are in a living room rather than on an ice rink. There’s also only one other person, not an entire hockey team that includes my brother, with us.

But I think it’s more than that. I think it’s that we have had some moments lately. In my kitchen, just a little bit ago in his kitchen, the shared knowledge of Brewser’s situation and his trust in us, and the new information about Lawson’s sister. There was even a moment when I thought that maybe, just maybe, he was thinking about kissing me.

That’s probably crazy, but I swear I felt it for just a second.