people liked it. We usually donate them to retirement homes—I couldn’t take them all home with me.”
I’m babbling nervously, but Ben does that to me. He’s the smartest man I’ve ever met, and I’m always afraid of being a dunce in front of him.
“You were good,” Ben says, true admiration in his eyes.
My face gets hot. I bet my makeup is running, and I look like a raccoon. “Thank you. I was seriously nervous.”
“It didn’t show. You seemed perfectly calm. The lady sitting next to me said to tell you that you were awesome. Okay, she didn’t say awesome. But it’s what she meant.”
“You are so sweet.”
Ben’s eyes flicker, and I want to bite my tongue. No guy wants to be told he’s sweet.
“Hello.” Dean’s deep voice booms out behind me. “I’m Dean. I hear you’re Ben. Great to meet you. Wasn’t Erin fantastic?”
Dean and Ben are about the same height, but the likeness ends there. Dean’s face is painted with bright makeup, his muscles bulge out of his leotard, and he exudes charm. A girl is supposed to fall for guys like Dean.
Ben to me is far more appealing. He’s in great shape—I’ve seen him in shorts and T-shirt at backyard cookouts at his parents’ house. He looks very good in them. Ben carries himself casually, as though he doesn’t realize how attractive he is. He considers himself a nerd next to his jock brothers, but he’s as agile and athletic as they are.
Dean beams at Ben, shaking his hand hard.
“Erin was fantastic.” Ben’s words make me hot all over. “Oh, you were good too,” he adds hastily to Dean.
Dean roars with laughter. “I know where your eyes were. I can’t blame you, bud. You two kids take care.”
He pivots, still laughing, and returns to his fans.
Ben’s brow wrinkles as though he’s worried he offended Dean, then he laughs. I’ve never heard him laugh. It’s warm and nice. “I like him.”
“Most people do. Dean’s one of a kind. Um.” I stop myself shuffling my feet as I return to the self-consciousness I feel in front of Ben. “I need to change and scrape off this makeup. Want to come with me to get food after?”
“Sure.” The answer is instant. “This isn’t the best neighborhood anyway. I planned to walk you to your car.”
I tamp down my joy with difficulty. “My car’s not here. I rode with Ida—one of the other dancers.”
“Oh.” Ben sounds disappointed. He rubs his upper lip. “Is this food-getting a thing you all do together?”
“Yes. Another tradition. But … afterward. Would you drive me home? Unless—if it’s out of your way, then don’t worry about it—”
“Sure.” Again Ben’s word cuts over my fumbling ones. “How about you go get changed, and I’ll take you to your party?”
“Good.” I grab both his hands. “Stay right here.”
I run off to the dressing rooms, ready to tear off my costume and rush out again, my feet lighter than they’d been the entire performance.
Ben
During the drive to a burger bar that’s actually open past ten on a Saturday night—a rarity in this town—I find my tongue leaden and my conversation stilted. My brain comes up with witty things to say to Erin, and I can’t utter a one of them.
Erin’s excited and bouncy, coming out of the quiet shell she keeps herself in at work. Of course, compared to my obnoxious brothers, anyone seems quiet, but tonight she’s sparkling.
She stretches her bare legs under shorts in my roomy pickup, sneakers pointing. “Dang, my feet hurt.” Her laugh sounds like music. “No duh, right? Keeping up with Dean is rough.”
“You, uh.” I clear my throat. I have to ask before I get too optimistic. “Anything between you and Dean?”
Erin shoots me wide-eyed surprise. “Dean? Not at all. I’m not his type, and he’s not mine.”
“Ah.” I run that through my brain. “Is he gay?” It’s the only reason I can think of for a man not to be interested in Erin. I try not to sound hopeful.
“He’s bi.” Erin answers without hesitation. “Everyone knows that—he came out in his teens. He calls himself a ‘people person’.”
I burst out laughing, willing my jealousy to recede. “He’s kinda cool. Not what I expected.”
“Everyone likes Dean.”
She says it neutrally, no big deal. I guess if I was built like the Hulk but could dance like I was in zero gravity, everyone would like me too.
We trail off into silence. Erin starts to hum as we pass street after street, traffic light after traffic light.