Peace Out (The Futures Trilogy Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

happen. Go out with a bang! You can ’t take it with you!
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    Joe spun Olivia onto the dance floor and pulled her close, his hand firm on her waist. They had taken up ballroom dancing after their youngest went to college. The other couples gave them space as they waltzed expertly together. It was the one thing Olivia had asked of Joe after his retirement and he had given in. Joe insisted on private lessons, though, stating that he didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of other people. But Joe had always had good rhythm, so once he figured out the footwork, they had really progressed quickly.
    The orchestra transitioned to a rumba. Olivia looked around and saw a few other couples who knew what they were doing. The rest were just having fun. They did a foxtrot and then another waltz before Joe got short of breath and needed a break. Olivia went to get them some water from the bar. A man was there ordering two glasses of champagne.
    “You guys looked great out there,” he said. He was probably about the same age as Joe. His hair was mostly grey, a few shades lighter than his eyes.
    “Thanks,” Olivia responded. “We ’ve been taking lessons for years now.”
    “My wife and I tried,” he said. “I just have two left feet. After about a month of having her toes stepped on she resigned herself to the side rock.”
    Olivia laughed.
    “I ’m Ned,” he said.
    “Olivia. ”
    “How long have you been on the Lady Luck? Haven ’t seen you before.”
    “Just a week. You?”
    “We are on month three. We embarked in Sydney.”
    “I wondered about the accent.”
    “Crikey! Didgeridoo! Um, kangaroo?” Ned said. “Hmmm, I can’t think of any more Aussie terms right now.”
    “How about vegemite?”
    “Ambrosia,” he said. “We brought a dozen jars with us.”
    Olivia wrinkled her nose. “Joe and I didn ’t really care for it,” she said.
    “Where are you all sitting? I ’ll bring my wife over,” Ned said. “Maybe she could borrow your husband for a dance? Do me a favor?”
    “Joe ’s a little tired right now,” Olivia said. “Maybe later?”
    “Of course,” Ned said. There was a little pause.
    “But we’re sitting right over there,” Olivia said, pointing. “You are welcome to join us.”
    Ned smiled. “We ’ll be right over.”
    Olivia brought the waters back to Joe.
    “Who was that at the bar?” he asked.
    “Jealous?” she teased.
    “Not at all,” Joe said. “I just like to see my wife being appreciated.”
    “Oh Joe,” Olivia scoffed.
    “You look beautiful tonight,” he said.
    “Don ’t I look beautiful always?”
    “Always,” he said, “but especially tonight. That dress shows you off in all the right places.” He reached out and took her hand.
    “Wrinkles, white hairs and all?”
    “You are the belle of the ball. Every man in the room was watching you and I don ’t blame them. What do you say we head back to the cabin?”
    “Well, Ned and his wife were going to come over to meet us. That guy from the bar. He seemed pretty nice. They ’re from Australia. They’ve been on board a while. It would be nice to make some friends who know the ropes.”
    “I ’ll give them five minutes,” Joe said. “I’m tired.”
    “You didn ’t sound tired discussing our return to the cabin,” Olivia said, raising an eyebrow.
    “That ’s different,” Joe said grumpily.
    “Be nice,” Olivia ordered. “There they are.” Joe and Olivia stood up.
    “Hello again, Olivia.” Ned said. He held his hand out to Joe. “I’m Ned.”
    “Joe.”
    “This is my wife, Sophie.” Even in high heels, Sophie barely came up to Ned’s shoulders. She was wearing an elaborate gold beaded dress. Her hair was thick, blonde, and perfectly coifed. Clearly a dye job, but it, like Sophie, was impeccable.
    “So nice to meet you,” Sophie said. “You dance beautifully,” she told them. “I was telling Ned here that he needed