your hand is on her lower back, rub her spine with your thumb.”
Alice continued. “Lead her, don’t let her lead you. Make sure to take charge, stand up straight, and don’t be soft—but don’t be a Neanderthal either. Women like strong men who are in control on the dance floor.”
“Do they?” I said with mock-seriousness, and Drake, who had taken a seat next to Alice, grinned.
“Don’t get all smart-assed with me, buddy. You asked. We are just trying to help you find love on the dance floor,” Alice said.
“I told you that I’m only doing this for my sister. I have no intention of finding love or even lust.”
Alice turned to Drake. “Famous last words, huh, Drake?”
Drake nodded. “Yep. He’s toast.”
“Whatever. If you all don’t mind, I’m going to get out of here and go enjoy my week off.”
“Alright, twinkle toes,” Trevor said as he slapped me on the back. “You have fun. You might want to ask Maggie or Alice what they use to take their makeup off at night. Don’t want it to clog your pores.”
I shoved Trevor away. “Get out of my face, moron.”
Chapter Six
Ali
It was Wednesday, and I was exhausted and sore—like everywhere. After spending two days working muscles and contorting my body in ways that it hadn’t moved in years for several hours, and then rushing to work and spending another ten hours on my feet, I was whipped. My lower back ached, my feet throbbed, and all I wanted to do was find a spa and get a full body massage and spa treatment.
Sadly, that wasn’t in the cards as I worked on the dance routine once more. I pretty much had it down pat, and I was getting more excited—and a whole lot more nervous. As Cal talked to someone about a change, I wondered if any of the men I was about to dance date with liked to go to the spa?
Cal returned to Victor and me and said to take a break. I thought about how tomorrow's practice would be shorter as we went to the actual location of the dance, and then we’d run through it there to make sure that I had it down, and they could make any changes for the location and environment that might need to be made. I would only have time to run through it a couple of times before I’d be rushed from the location so that the men could practice.
I couldn’t believe that it was almost time for my dancing dates. I was still a little in awe of the fact that I had even agreed to do this. I stood on the side of the studio, sipping from my water bottle, when Holly joined me. “Off-camera, how are you holding up?”
I chuckled. “I like how you said off-camera.”
“Yeah, I know, on-camera, we want you to be all excited and positive, but this is your friend asking you how you are doing, not the producer.”
“I’m nervous!” I blurted out. “Like crazy nervous, but excited too, and my entire body hurts.” I held my pinkie up. “Except my pinkie, it doesn’t hurt—yet!”
We laughed. “Yeah, my body would be too if I was doing the things that Cal has you doing. I have to tell you that I love the part where you get on the park wall, and you are all sassy and in their face. You do that so well, and it’s like the real you is finally getting a chance to come out and play.”
“It’s funny that you say that. That is one of my favorite parts too. It just feels so fun and playful, but it’s also where I suddenly get nervous again because I have to trust them to pick me up over their head and not drop me.”
“Yes, that is very true, but you can trust these men. I promise they are just as worried about dropping you as you are concerned that they will.”
“Do you honestly think that I’ll make a connection, Holly? I mean, do you think it’s possible?”
“Well, the last four contestants that we had all did.”
“Did they? You’re not just saying that? They sincerely found a connection?”
“I’m not just saying that.” She made an X over her heart and then glanced at her watch. “You ready to get back to it? We are going to do a bit of question and answer before we run you through it one last time today.”
“Let’s get going.” My cellphone began to ring and I glanced at it