Chapter 2 - THE DANCE NOBODY EXPECTED
The first thing Elliot did was count the distance between himself and the nearest table.
“Six feet,” he murmured.
Norah glanced behind her.
“Would seven be better?”
“Yes.”
They moved another step toward the center.
Elliot watched the drummer's right hand.
“The snare comes on two and four.”
“Good,” Norah said. “I'll follow you.”
He looked startled.
“You want me to lead?”
“Do you know the steps?”
“Yes.”
“Then why wouldn't I?”
Elliot stared at her.
For a moment, Norah thought he might withdraw his hand.
Instead, he adjusted his position.
“May I put my hand on your back?”
“Yes.”
He placed it carefully against her shoulder blade.
Norah rested her free hand on his upper arm.
The drummer counted them in.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Elliot moved.
And Norah nearly missed the first step.
Because he wasn't awkward.
He wasn't uncertain.
He wasn't incapable.
He was astonishingly precise.
His movements were economical, controlled, and perfectly synchronized with the rhythm.
Norah stumbled once.
“Sorry.”
“You anticipated the turn,” he said.
“Is that bad?”
“Not bad. Early.”
“Then teach me.”
His eyes widened.
She smiled.
“I'm serious.”
He nodded.
“On the next phrase.”
They tried again.
This time, Norah waited.
Elliot guided her through a simple turn.
She laughed.
Not at him.
With delight.
“Okay. You're definitely better at this than I am.”
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“I practiced.”
“When?”
“At home.”
“With whom?”
“No one.”
Norah looked at him.
He continued, matter-of-factly.
“I watched instructional recordings. I practiced footwork on a marked floor.”
“Why?”
Elliot's gaze moved briefly toward the surrounding couples.
“I wanted to know what it felt like.”
Something caught in Norah's throat.
She didn't make a speech.
She didn't tell him he was brave.
She simply said, “Well, now you do.”
Across the room, Enzo's expression hardened.
Dominic had turned around.
And for the first time that evening, he was watching his youngest son.
The song ended.
Norah stepped back.
Elliot released her immediately.
“Thank you,” he said.
She smiled.
“Thank you for not letting me fall.”
“I calculated the turn.”
“Then your calculations were excellent.”
A few people applauded.
Others followed.
The applause spread until half the room was clapping.
Elliot stiffened at the sudden noise.
Norah noticed.
She stepped slightly closer without touching him.
“Want to go somewhere quiet?”
“Yes.”
They left the floor.
Behind them, Enzo slammed his glass onto a table.
The sound cracked through the room.
Elliot flinched.
Norah stopped walking.
Enzo smiled.
“Relax, little brother. Nobody's attacking you.”
Elliot stared at the floor.
Norah looked at Enzo.
“Then stop acting like you are.”
The ballroom went silent.
Enzo's smile disappeared.
“Careful, waitress.”
Norah felt fear move through her stomach.
But she kept her voice steady.
“I'm being careful. You should try it.”
Before Enzo could answer, Dominic Russo spoke.
“Enough.”
Everyone turned.
Dominic approached.
His gaze moved from Norah to Elliot.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
Elliot looked up.
The question seemed to confuse him.
“Yes.”
Dominic nodded once.
Then turned to Norah.
“What's your name?”
“Norah.”
“Last name?”
“Bennett.”
Dominic studied her.
“You've worked here long?”
“Two years.”
He looked at Elliot again.
Then back at her.
“Interesting.”
Norah didn't like the way he said it.
Dominic walked away.
Enzo followed, furious.
Elliot remained beside her.
“Your heart rate increased,” he said.
Norah looked at him.
“Mine?”
“Yes.”
She exhaled.
“Your family's intimidating.”
He considered.
“They intend to be.”
She laughed softly.
Then he said something that surprised her.
“You didn't have to defend me.”
Norah looked at him.
“I know.”
“Why did you?”
She thought about it.
Then answered honestly.
“Because you deserved better.”
Elliot was silent.
His eyes lowered.
May you like
When he spoke again, his voice was barely audible.
“No one has ever said that to me before.”
