My Year of Saying No - Maxine Morrey Page 0,16

a moment.

‘OK. Maybe not loved it exactly.’

‘Definitely not.’

‘But you did it!’

‘Because I love you. No other reason.’

‘And I love you! Which is why we’re here now.’

I returned her hug. I wasn’t entirely convinced that was the only reason Jess and Harry were here now, although it was a good start. Jess had always loved the drama of Latin dance and had toyed with doing something about learning on and off for years, but she was always too busy doing something else. But when I’d mentioned I’d found some classes and had signed up, Jess’ enthusiasm was fired again. Even more so when Harry agreed to come with her and learn so that they could dance together.

I was thrilled he was so supportive and up for doing it, I really was. But I couldn’t help feeling like a large, green, slightly fuzzy piece of fruit as I stood next to them and they practised gazing meaningfully deep into each other’s eyes.

In my pocket, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out and saw the light flashing. Pressing the messages, one from Seb showed unread. I glanced up, but it didn’t seem like we were starting, so I quickly opened it.

Just to say hope it goes well tonight. Enjoy yourself!

I replied.

Just got here. Can we all say ‘gooseberry’?

I added a fruit emoji, that might have been a gooseberry, for extra emphasis.

The message showed read almost immediately and the words ‘typing’ appeared at the top of the screen.

Don’t worry about it. You won’t be the only one not paired up already. Just remember to enjoy it

Easy for you to say

Want me to zoom down? You might have to stall them for a bit, but I still have contacts. I’m sure I can rustle up a helicopter from somewhere

Would you? That’d be great

He sent a laughing emoji before following it up.

At least I can’t be accused of being a cliché and having two left feet

He added a wink.

I sent him a rolling eyes one back in response.

I’m pretty sure you’d still be better than me

The fact that Seb could now make light of the devastating injury that had ended his career and upended his life was something I truly admired about him. It illustrated to him, and others, just how far he had come. As our business relationship began to merge into friendship, we’d opened up about ourselves more. His bio for the charity stated that he’d lost his lower right leg on deployment in Afghanistan when the vehicle he’d been travelling in had hit an IED, but I knew I’d never be able to understand all the things that had crashed through his mind at that moment, as the dust began to clear and reality, in all its horrific colour, dawned. He’d lost a good friend and his own life had changed for ever – all in one split second. For a while it had beaten him, become bigger than him – but then he’d begun to fight back and had truly won.

I doubt that

Get your arse down here, and I’ll prove it

The voluptuous redhead who’d propelled me through the doors earlier clapped her hands.

‘Hello, hello, darling members of my new class! Are you ready to begin to learn the dances of love?’ She gave a sensuous sway. My stomach was currently performing a similar movement, but it most definitely wasn’t sensuous.

Oh god. It’s starting. Have to go

He replied quickly with a phone emoticon and I got the message.

Seb was right. I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t paired up. Thankfully, there was Mario.

‘Thank god for you!’ he said, laughter in his eyes as he took the stance Beth, our instructor, was currently demonstrating with Harry. ‘I thought I was going to be twirling around on my own!’

I grinned back. ‘I know the feeling.’

Mario leant his head closer. ‘I think this is going to be a lot of fun.’ His dark eyebrows wriggled above mischievous eyes.

I grinned. He might just be right.

An hour later and I wasn’t sure I’d got any of the moves right, but I’d certainly laughed more than I had in ages. Mario was the perfect dance partner, with a wicked sense of humour and an even more wicked eye for mimicry.

One couple were clearly in the wrong class as they already seemed to have a pretty good grasp of everything and swanned around the room, serious expressions on their faces, as they absorbed the music and concentrated on their moves. Even Beth mentioned they might be better suited to her