I laugh, surprised and a little watery. “Here? Tonight?”
“Do you have other plans?”
“No, but…” I’m still trying to connect the dots in his logic.
“We need to get you out of your head,” he says, tapping one long finger to my forehead. The slow smile he gives me is the best thing I’ve seen all day. “Please let me take you dancing.”
Maybe Kristen Quinn was right. Whatever I found in those pages wasn’t about her. It was me taking what I needed to find the strength I didn’t know I had.
And maybe Jensen isn’t something I’m clinging to because I’m afraid to stand on my own. Maybe he makes me feel brave enough to find the answers all on my own.
“Yeah,” I whisper, warmth spreading through the hollow parts inside me. “Let’s go dancing.”
26
JENSEN
After a nap,during which Sloane and I did not sleep, a shower, and mediocre Chinese carry out, we head a half hour north of the lake to a town that’s tucked into the mountains like it got lost on its way to somewhere more important. There are a few low-slung storefronts with western fonts on their signs, and the bar Cody found sits at the far end, sandwiched between a bait shop and a bakery.
“Are you sure about this?” Sloane asks as we approach the entrance. She looks between Cody and me. “Because there’s no chance of you two not being recognized if there are any country music fans in this place.”
“Don’t forget, I’m the one who’s young and famous,” Cody says, executing a fancy two-step move on the sidewalk that I will not, under any circumstances, compliment.
I pretend to study the entrance. “I’m sure about going in, but not at all sure this one’s head is gonna fit through the door.”
“I’ll manage.” He turns and grasps Sloane by the arms like he’s about to hand her the final rose. “You have to promise to rescue me if my mojo is overwhelming to the ladies.”
“Oh, Christ,” I mutter.
She grins. “What’s the sign?”
He pantomimes shooting a gun.
“Are you gonna add pew pew sound effects?” I ask.
He frowns like I’m the one being an idiot. “I think she can get the message without sound effects.”
“When have you ever wanted or needed rescuing?” I shake my head. “Scratch that. You’ve needed it plenty. Never wanted it.”
“Don’t worry, boss.” He gives me an exaggerated salute. “I’m gonna stick to water, just like I promised.”
“I bet you’re the life of the party stone-cold sober,” Sloane tells him.
“The life ofyourparty whenever you’re ready to trade up,” Cody promises.
I flip him the bird then wink at Sloane and hold the door open for her.
The place is fuller than I’d expect for eight o’clock. Christmas lights loop the ceiling in uneven rows, and the dance floor at the back is empty and dark for now. It smells like spilled beer, old sweat, and peanuts, which is familiar, although not my favorite. But Sloane is smiling, so all is right with the world as far as I’m concerned.
“Speaking of water,” Sloane says, “I had too much at dinner. I’m going to hit the ladies’ room.”
“We’ll grab a table,” I tell her.
As soon as she walks away, Cody smacks the side of my head.
“What the fuck was that for?”
“Knocking sense into you, old man.” He shakes his hand like the impact hurt him more than me. “You can’t keep avoiding reality forever.”