Just Home for the Holidays - Deborah Cooke Page 0,38

have a good time together.” She nodded wisely. “Maybe it’s just about great sex, but don’t discard it, kiddo. Not before you’re sure.”

“He said it’s over. If I call him about attending any of these events on my schedule, he’ll just pass.”

“Shouldn’t you find out?”

Chloe got her phone and called Hunter while Mandy watched. The call went directly to voice mail. “He’s blocked me.”

“Interesting that he’d bother. It must matter.”

Chloe sent him a text message.

What are you doing tonight?

To her relief, he replied right away.

Sorry. Got plans.

Chloe looked at her phone, then impulsively replied.

Too bad. I have walnuts.

If she’d thought he’d take that bait, she was doomed to be wrong.

It did take him a while to reply, though, long enough that she wondered whether he was going to answer her at all.

Oh well. Going dancing.

“Dancing,” she said. “I’ll bet he’s going to F5F, even though he isn’t working tonight. He loves that dance club.”

“And it’s a public place,” Mandy mused. She stood up with purpose. “Hang on.”

Chloe sipped her coffee as she waited, wondering what Mandy had planned. In moments, her sister swept back into the bedroom, carrying a garment bag and a pair of sky-high red heels. She unzipped the bag, revealing a sparkling red sequined sheath. “Marshall has been working a lot. He promised we’d paint the town red on New Year’s Eve, so I bought this.”

“It’s gorgeous!”

“It fits like a second skin. When I tried it on to show him, he didn’t even blink.” Mandy smiled and held out both shoes and dress. “You know we’re the same size and I’ve got a lipstick that matches perfectly. Maybe you should go dancing instead of coming to see the lights.”

“Maybe,” Chloe said and took the dress, her pulse leaping in anticipation. Hunter thought she was conservative and cautious, and this dress was anything but. This vacation was proving to be all about trying new things, and she was ready to go dancing alone, with the express purpose of seducing Hunter.

She’d surprise him and that would be fun.

It might even work.

It was one of those perfect nights at the dance club. Hunter had worked hard at the club all day, pushing himself enough that he was both tired and pumped. He’d gone back to the apartment to shower and change, then been one of the first in line at the club when it opened at nine. By ten, the dance floor was elbow-to-elbow with gorgeous people, women in heels, guys with tight shirts, and everyone busting some moves. The club was vibrating with the energy and Hunter was in his element.

The DJ was a fill-in who was obviously making his play for a permanent gig at the club, because his mixes were amazing. He had these long dance tracks, familiar tunes cascading into each other for half hours of non-stop dancing. The dance floor was packed. Hunter heard people laughing and champagne corks popping, and there was a steady stream of new arrivals coming through the door. Yolanda and Caleb were pouring mixes behind the bar with major style, the strobe lights were flashing, and Yolanda even got up to dance on the bar.

It was pure heaven.

The mix flowed backwards through the decades from Beyoncé to INXS to Madonna, the songs familiar enough that everyone was singing along. Tears for Fears gave way to Robert Palmer and then The Monkees’ I’m a Believer. Hunter laughed at the unexpected choice then spun around with another dancer, singing “I was lost...” Everyone held their breath for the pause and the DJ stopped the music for a potent minute.

Hunter turned around when the music started again and it was like a movie. The crowd on the dance floor parted, revealing a woman with a knockout figure in a short sequined red dress. She had her back to Hunter and he took a good look, then she pivoted and caught him staring. She laughed, then danced toward him, all long legs and swinging hair.

It was Chloe.

But not Chloe.

It was a wild version of Chloe. Chloe unplugged, maybe. She looked fabulous and she seemed to be having an awesome time. There was a whole line of guys following her, vying for her attention. She was watching Hunter, a challenge in her eyes.

One look and he really was lost. He caught her hand when she reached him and she fell into his arms, her gaze locking with his.

“I knew you’d be dancing here,” she said, breathless.

He was thrilled that she’d come looking for him. “Best