“You’re really struggling with this idea of a surprise.”
“I like having all the facts.”
“You get this is supposed to be fun, right?”
With a smile, she leaned over as far as her seat belt would let her. “It is fun.”
He pressed a light kiss to her lips. “Just wait.”
Sitting back in her seat, she grinned out the window. When she’d come home from work, Walker had been waiting. He hadn’t tried to get out of their plans as she’d half expected but had ordered her upstairs to change as fast as she could. He’d ushered her out the door, past the excited Emily who’d agreed to stay late to babysit, and down into his waiting car.
“We should probably talk about this. Lay some ground rules. Figure out how this is going to work.”
“Or,” he countered, “we could go out and have a good time together. Order some drinks, make out like teenagers, and stop worrying about the future.”
“Doesn’t sound too bad,” she agreed as the car slowed.
Getting out, she looked up at one of the most popular jazz clubs in the city.
“But you hate jazz,” she said when he came around beside her.
“I do. It’s just noise as far as I’m concerned.”
“And you hate to dance.”
“Those of us born without a sense of rhythm usually do.”
She turned to him. “Then why are we here?”
“Because,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist. “You love jazz and I love any excuse to hold you.”
Her heart fluttered. “Do lines like that normally work for you?”
“What lines?” he asked, dipping his head. “I’m just being honest.”
She sighed as he kissed her, smiling against his lips.
“Come on.” Catching her hand, he led her into the bar.
As soon as they stepped inside, the music swept over them. A live band played while a crowd already gathered before them. Some people swayed to the music while others filled the tables edging the perimeter. Waitresses dressed all in black rushed about collecting orders and waiting tables.
“Dance or sit?” he asked.
She grinned. “You should know the answer to that.”
With a mock groan, he allowed her to tug him into the crowd.
“Thank you,” she said as bodies danced around them.
“I know what you like,” he replied.
“This is your version of hell.”
“Not really.” He spun her into his arms, one hand going to her back while the other clasped her hand. “I think jazz is growing on me.”
“Oh, it is, is it?”
His gaze dropped to her lips. “Mm-hmm.”
A lightness filled her as they danced to the music. It wasn’t like this was their first time spending an evening together. As much as he loathed dancing, she’d even managed to get him on the dance floor every few years. Usually on her birthday when he couldn’t say no.
But it wasn’t two friends hanging out this time. It might be the start of an actual relationship, and that knowledge had her heart racing in her chest.
“You know why I don’t mind dancing tonight?” he asked her.
“Why?”
“Because now I can do this.” The hand on her back slid lower as he pulled her in close. She stared up at him, his mouth tantalizingly close.
“It’s a nice new perk,” he said.
“Gotta say I’m a fan.”
“Yeah?” He danced them in a circle.
“We might be making a mistake, you and I,” she said. “But it feels good for the moment.”
His gaze caught hers. “I’m sorry I can’t give you the promises you deserve.”
“I’m not asking for any.” They swayed together. “I know you never expected to have a family, and now Hunter is in your life. You never thought to settle down, and now our friendship is morphing into something we’ve avoided for years. A lot is changing and while you run headlong after new technological advancements, you’ve never been good with big adjustments in your own life.”
He looked away.
“See?” she breathed. “I know you, too.”
“And you’re still standing here,” he teased.
“Always.”
The humor slid off his face.
“Whatever happens with us, we can’t lose what we have.”
She smiled at the serious tone. “I’m not sure we can control that,” she replied. “But we can try like hell.”
“That’s a plan I can get behind.”
“Then dance with me,” she said. “Let’s worry about the rest later.”
The music changed, and with a grin, he spun her out onto the floor and then back into his arms. Tossing back her head, she laughed. No matter what came next, in this moment all she felt was joy.