Come Dancing Read Online Free PDF Page B

continued to the end of the bar, where I spotted Vicky on a stool talking to Sammy. Someone in a large floppy hat was seated with his back to me. Vicky was so into the conversation, she didn’t notice me until I stood next to her.
    “I was starting to think I’d have to come get you,” she said.
    Beneath the big hat Jack wore a dark green jacket, not chewed-up like the one earlier. He pulled an open stool over to him. “She wouldn’t stand us up. I have something that belongs to her.”
    “Yes, you do. Is it still in your shirt?” I sat and hooked my ankles around the rungs in case I started feeling faint. Even in the droopy hat he was sexy, his thighs taut in tight faded jeans, obviously sans underwear.
    “Your papers are safe in the car, right outside. I didn’t want to spill anything on them.”
    Hal came down the bar and made eyes at me as if to say, You’re moving in fancy circles tonight . “Usual draft?” I nodded.
    “You look like you could use a shot.” Sammy indicated the line of glasses.
    “No, I’m okay.” If I had any Wild Turkey, I might really pass out.
    “We were just saying how packed it is in here tonight,” Vicky said in an Earth-to-Julia tone of voice. “They usually avoid public places on weekends.”
    Jack seemed intent on topping off their shot glasses with whiskey; after that, he drank right from the bottle. Vicky and Sammy murmured to each other as I cast about for something to say.
    “Did you get some editing done?” Jack asked, his face partially hidden by the hat.
    “I’ll get a lot done tomorrow. Mr. Collins likes to use three adjectives where one will do; every time I think I’ve weeded them out, several more crop up. They’re twined around his words like kudzu.”
    Jack laughed, then pushed back the brim and gazed at me. “I’m not used to beautiful girls being so smart.”
    To my horror, a slow burn started in my chest and spread to my cheeks. I took a gulp from my frosty mug.
    “Well, would you look at that,” Jack said. “It’s been fifteen years since I saw anyone blush like that. Like watching the sun rise in your face.”
    “It’s just this humidity.” I fanned myself with a bar napkin.
    He started to reply when two heavily made-up women barged over.
    “It is you,” the first one said breathlessly. “I told you so,” she added to her friend, who was staring at Jack as if afraid he’d disappear. “Can you sign something for us?” She batted her prickly eyelashes.
    “Sure.” He fumbled in his pockets as Sammy produced a pen. Jack plucked a cardboard coaster from the bar and scratched his name. “Oh thank you,” she gushed. “Wanna come party with us? We’re huuuge fans of yours.”
    “Ladies, we were just havin’ a conversation with our friends here,” Sammy said. “Maybe some other time.”
    “Can you sign too?” the woman asked, and Sammy obliged.
    “Here’s our numbers,” the second one said, thrusting a piece of paper at Jack. “Call us. We’ll show you a really good time.” Scowling at me and Vicky, the two flounced away.
    “Sorry ‘bout that,” Sammy said. “Sometimes the out-of-towners ain’t cool. Speaking of which, another contingent’s headed our way … tattoos and really big hair. Wanna split?”
    “See you outside,” Jack said, and bolted for the back door.
    “Let’s boogie on out of here.” Sammy threw down some bills, took hold of our arms and hustled us along. We rushed into the warm night air toward the black car waiting at the curb. There was a commotion behind me as the bunch from the bar exploded out the door.
    “Where are we going?” I asked.
    “Get in, we’ll discuss it on the way,” Sammy said, drawing Vicky with him. I jumped inside just as a meaty fist pounded on the window. I looked back when we pulled away, and one of the girls gave me the finger.
    “Come over to my place,” Jack said, leaning across the others to hand me the loose pages. “I kept my end of the deal, but we haven’t had