His Love Match. Shirley Hailstock

      Chapter 4

      Relax, Diana told herself as Scott whirled her about the room. She stepped on his foot once. He didn’t say a word about it, didn’t tell her to relax, didn’t tell her he wouldn’t bite, only adjusted his arms and pulled her close to him. Diana smelled his cologne. It was mildly sweet with an undercurrent of something that seemed to come from him. She liked it.

      His head touched hers, and she closed her eyes. Her body relaxed and found the perfect combination of movement. She felt everything about him, the fabric of his starched shirt, the heat of his body beneath it, his long legs, and the sureness of his hands as they held her.

      Being there was like a dream, and for a moment Diana allowed herself to fantasize that she was the bride dancing her first dance with her newly minted husband. Her feet seemed to glide across the floor.

      The music stopped and she opened her eyes.

      “That was beautiful,” Jennifer said. “I’ve never seen anyone dance the way you two did. You make a beautiful couple.”

      Diana’s skin burned. She hadn’t realized she was being watched. Apparently, the entire room was staring at them. What had she done? She knew. She’d fallen into the dream and let everything she felt pour through the dance. Hadn’t she thought about that? She knew it was what many professional dancers wanted, strove to show on the stage. They wanted to show their feelings through the steps. Diana hadn’t.

      “Thank you,” Scott said, saving her from having to answer anything. “I think we need a drink now.”

      He led her away from the prying eyes and toward the bar. The conversations resumed behind her, and she was certain that people had stopped staring at her.

      “I apologize,” Diana told Scott. “I never meant to embarrass you.”

      “You’ve danced before,” he stated, apparently out of context. “And I’m not embarrassed.”

      Diana had taken lessons and learned many dances that couples used for their first dance. Often she needed to school the groom on a few steps before he took his bride onto the dance floor. At the time she viewed it as part of her full service to the wedding program. Today she regretted ever knowing a single step. Or the feel of Scott’s arms holding her, almost cradling her as they traversed the floor.