A year ago today Dance Partner was published. This is a short story, originally planned for an anthology on the theme of “Love is Blind”. When I was invited to this venture, this story was just there in my head, as though it had been waiting for the invitation.

I must admit, it’s one of my personal favorites, and I fell in love with Jim before I could even get him down on paper.   I may just have to give a couple away!  Leave me a comment.

Jim is back home and existing, but nothing more. The irony of going to a dance club isn’t lost on him. The redhead moving around the floor is the last thing he needs in his life. So what if he can’t take his eyes off her.

It’s been a great day for Wendy, and dancing is her favorite way to celebrate. The hunk’s eyes are on her, but he doesn’t approach. Intrigued she approaches him and learns a lot more about herself than she planned.

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Here’s a short excerpt –

Wendy Cauthern knew she was smokin’ hot in her new outfit. Her long red hair cascaded down her back and she was glad she’d rethought cutting it because more than one guy had been drawn to it this evening. It was a great night following a fantastic day.

Her presentation this morning had been spot-on perfect. Mr. Stanford from the fifth floor had even stopped by to tell her she’d done a good job.

Her eye caught a guy over to the side sitting alone at a small table. Damn, that was one fine specimen–large broad chest and shoulders, dark hair that spilled around his shoulders long enough to be pulled back into a ponytail. Eyes too dark to make out a color at this distance. Intense.

And he was staring at her.

Before she could even give him a come on signal, someone else captured her for a dance. She abandoned what remained of her drink and followed the guy onto the dance floor.

Wendy loved to dance. At one point she’d thought about doing it professionally but she needed a steadier income. At least her job didn’t stop her from enjoying herself on the weekends.

The guy she was dancing with was okay but he wasn’t good. She noted the hunk was watching her without attempting to disguise it. Hell. Why wasn’t he making a move? He made everyone else in the room seem almost a child by comparison yet he just sat there.

He was distracting her, and when the dance ended, she excused herself and headed his way. All of her stars were aligned tonight, giving her the courage she needed to approach him.

He continued to watch her walk his way with those dark eyes.

“Want to buy me a drink?”

“If you like.” Well, maybe her winning streak had ended and he wasn’t that interested. But his eyes hadn’t left her.

“May I?” She indicated to the chair across from his when he didn’t rise. He nodded and signaled the waiter.

“What would you like?”

“What are you having?”

“Coke.”

She blinked at that. Just a Coke? “A Cosmo, please.”

The waiter nodded then disappeared.

“Do you come here often?” She asked, finally getting a reaction that looked like something akin to a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“Never been here before. I guess you’re a regular.”

She shrugged. “I come sometimes. They have good music but you can still talk without screaming.”

The waiter was back with her drink then gone again. “I’m Wendy.”

“Jim.” This was getting awkward. Should she excuse herself and leave? She was definitely getting mixed signals.

She took another sip trying to make up her mind as to how to proceed. He was too delicious to just walk away but before she decided, they were joined by a man she’d seen here before. Hadn’t Cheryl dated him?

“I think it’s time we got out of here.”

She wanted to protest, but mister dark and brooding nodded.