and he chuckled.
“Worse,” he said, murmuring as they moved past. “I think they’re rehearsing for their wedding dance.”
“Oh no!” Stella tried not to laugh. “That’s not a good sign.”
“How about those two?” Aidan continued, his gaze moving to the pair of older women. “They seem to have got the hang of it.”
“Hmmm…” Stella studied them surreptitiously. “I bet they just left their husbands.”
“Or,” Aidan said, playfully. “Their husbands just died under mysterious circumstances, leaving them to inherit everything, buy a beach house together, and live out their lives in luxury.”
Stella giggled. She couldn’t believe it. The oh-so-serious Aidan Kinsella had a sense of humor? “What about him?” she asked, nodding to where poor Ronald was traipsing after Madame.
“Well, that’s your future husband, of course,” Aidan said with a grin.
“No!” Stella laughed, and hit his arm lightly. “Don’t say that!”
“Why not?” Aidan teased. “I think he’s smitten.”
“Because I’m the only single, available woman in the room,” Stella pointed out.
Aidan smirked. “Still, every pot has its lid, as my grandmother used to say.”
Madame clapped her hands, calling for attention. “Alright everyone! Time to drag yourself from your partner’s arms, and give someone else a try. Switch!”
Before Stella could waltz in the other direction, Mr. Pot – or was he the lid? – appeared at her side with an eager smile. “Good luck,” Aidan said, grinning.
“You too,” she murmured back, as Aidan realized he was paired up with one half of the bickering couple – while Mr. Soon-to-Be-Wed glowered at him from across the dance floor.
“Just so you know,” Aidan said pleasantly to Ronald. “If your hands move half an inch lower than they should, you’ll be losing them.”
Ronald gulped, and broke out in a sweat, but thanks to Aidan’s warning, he was a perfect gentleman as they moved away. It turned out, he was really rather sweet, once you got past all that desperation. He’d gone through a painful divorce the previous year, and was totally lost on the dating scene again. “I signed up for dance and cooking classes, and even tennis lessons,” Ronald said, treading on her toes. Again. “But I just can’t seem to meet anyone.”
“Still, it sounds like you’re learning lots of new skills,” Stella said, staying upbeat.
Ronald just sighed. “But what’s the point, if there’s nobody to share it with?”
“You’ll survive,” Stella reassured him. After all, she had, for the past fifteen years – give or take a few guys. But then Madame called out to switch partners again, and she found herself back in Aidan’s arms.
OK, she had to admit, some things were better with the right partner.
“Let’s finish with a slow song,” Madame announced, as the music changed. “This one is easy, just follow the rhythm with a nice one-two-three, one-two-three….”
Stella inhaled. A slow dance with Aidan? She paused, unsure, but he smoothly pulled her closer, like it was no big deal at all.
Like she spent every Monday night with her hand cradled in his, her cheek close enough that she could have rested it on his broad shoulder.
“So, when’s the wedding to your new friend?” Aidan murmured, looking mischievous. “Christmas would be lovely on the Cape.”
“Hush, you.” Stella whispered, checking to see that poor Ronald hadn’t heard. “He’s actually kind of sweet. And desperately lonely.” She swayed with Aidan, trying to ignore the way her heart was beating faster, and how his body felt, warm and solid against hers. “Isn’t it funny how some people can’t handle being alone?” she blurted. “Even for a day.”
“I know,” Aidan agreed. “I don’t mind it at all. In fact, I’ve always preferred it. Nobody making you do things differently,” he said, swaying to the music.
“Nobody interrupting your routine,” Stella agreed.
“Or making you watch TV shows you don’t care about.”
“Or driving you crazy with annoying habits.”
They both fell silent, and Stella felt his hands tighten at her waist. Just a little.
Her pulse kicked.
Sure, there were plenty of things she didn’t regret about being alone, but right then, with his body pressed against her, and Aidan’s fingertips resting lightly on her hips, Stella felt vividly everything she’d been missing out on.
Slow dancing was a dangerous thing. She could see now why all those puritan small towns had spent so many years trying to ban it. Being so close to a person, swaying together, fitting perfectly in his arms… The rest of the world seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of them; Aidan’s breath hot on her cheek. If Stella closed her eyes, she could almost imagine—
“And… That’s our