The Ottos weren’t the only ones dancing, and few of them had the finesse of Herb Otto. But hours of cardio and weights did nothing for grace or coordination, and next to the Ottos, Graham felt clunky and awkward as he botched spinning Felicity into his arms.
“We can just sway,” Felicity offered when they bounced off each other, smiling broadly.
“That’s swaying. We are dancing.” He studied Herb a little longer and tried again, resting one hand at the base of Felicity’s spine and holding her hand with the other. “Like this?”
Felicity was watching her parents, too. “I think so.”
They weren’t very good, but they were determined. When he spun her away, then pulled her in, she tripped on his foot and slammed into his chest. He caught her, laughing and breathless and having more fun than he’d had in a hell of a long time.
“That move was called ‘falling with finesse,’” Felicity said between giggles.
“Well done.” He winked, righting her onto her feet before trying it all over again.
When the music stopped, the sound of applause startled them. They had an audience. Honor, Honor’s boyfriend, Diana, Nick, and Charity all sat on the lawn, sharing popcorn and sipping soda.
“Make your arm more rigid, Graham,” Charity offered, holding out her arm. “Like this, not so loosey-goosey.”
“Loosey-goosey?” Diana giggled. “But I see what you mean.”
“Mom, he needs to lead.” Nick leaned across Diana for a handful of popcorn. “The dude always leads.”
“I thought they did great,” Owen, the boyfriend, said.
“I like him,” Graham murmured, his attention fixing on the large teenager wrapped around Honor. “Smart kid.” He paused, his gaze narrowing. “The one with the butterfly painted on his face?”
Felicity laughed.
“Dad, kind of, I don’t know, stand between her legs—not right in front of her,” Diana said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Your steps aren’t syncing up.”
“Here I thought we weren’t half bad,” Felicity said, still slightly breathless—and startlingly beautiful—in his arms.
Now was not the time to notice that. To notice her. Or that he liked the feel of her in his arms. Not now. When their kids were watching and criticizing. “Don’t listen to them.” He smiled.
“No,” Mimi Otto said. “You really should. Diana’s right.” She hauled Herb closer. “See. It really is about how strongly you lead. You follow, Filly.”
Felicity shot him a look. “I’m so sorry,” she said, not bothering to keep her voice down.
“For what?”
“All the opinionated people in my life.” She sighed. “Nothing like trying to have some fun and hearing, basically, you’re doing it wrong.”
“Were you having fun?” he asked.
She nodded.
“Then we weren’t doing it wrong.” He winked.
“Well, except, you sort of are,” Nick said.
Charity clapped her hands. “Try again. We believe in you.”
“Some of us believe in you.” Nick said. “Some of us are just laughing at you.”
“Nickie.” Honor pushed her brother over.
Maybe he should be bothered by all the criticism, but he wasn’t. They were all here, together, doing something. Granted, it was criticizing the shit out of his dancing, but he could live with that if this peace could last. “No pressure.” Graham sighed. “You game?”
“Is there a choice?” she asked.