"Don't put yourself down like that." Alex said. "You're a good dancer."
Carmen sobered. "Not like Lillie."
His brows lifted for a moment. "I have a feeling Lilly likes to party all the time."
She sighed. "Meaning she's had a lot of practice?"
He didn't answer. His gaze moved around the room as he sipped on his glass of punch.
Carmen studied his face as she spoke.
"I suppose dancing that well would require a lot of practice. So where did you learn?"
His gaze shot back to her and he choked on his drink, spilling it on his suit.
Carmen grabbed a napkin and began dabbing at the punch. He pushed her hand away and divided his attention between wiping his suit off and coughing. When he had them both under control, he finally turned to her, his brows lowered.
"My mother insisted I go to dance school."
Carmen smiled. "I'm glad she did. Now you can teach me."
He coughed again and frowned. "The Cha Cha?"
Carmen nodded. "Why not?"
He shook his head. "I never would have guessed you'd be interested. Why don't you just take dancing lessons?"
She shrugged. Fair enough. Obviously he resented having to go to dance school. Did he resent everything he was pushed into? She resisted a smile as the answer came to her instantly. Yes. Maybe that was to be expected of a personality like his. Alex liked to be in full control. Fortunately he was also caring and compassionate.
The evening slipped by and when the band took a break, special requests were played on a stereo. When hers started, she took Alex by the hand and led him to the dance floor.
"This waltz is for you and me," she said as she turned to face him.
He lifted a brow, a faint smile on his lips. When the music began, he took possession of her and they danced around the room. He lead and she followed. If only life were that simple. She gazed up at him, softly singing along with the recording.
"I'll always remember the song they were playing the first time we danced and I knew. As we swayed to the music and held to each other, I fell in love with you. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? Would you be my partner every night? When we're together it feels so right. Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?" As he listened to the words, his gaze traveled over her face. Maybe he was remembering the first time they danced - in her goat dairy. Was that when she fell in love with him?