Sensuality

“Umm, okay.”

“Just okay?”

Gloria made a sound she hoped sounded encouraging.

“I can’t wait,” María said. “My brothers are already drawing straws as to who is going to dance with you first.”

María cheerfully went on giving Gloria the latest details about the wedding but she barely heard her friend. She’d tried to find another dance instructor, but either they were all booked up or they’d clearly been unqualified or they wouldn’t stop staring at her breasts.

“Gloria, did you hear me?”

“What?” She quickly brought her attention back to María. “Umm, yeah, I heard.”

“No, you didn’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you at work.”

“That’s okay. But I should get back to work. I’m so glad you called and I can’t wait until August.”

“Me neither, chica.”

They exchanged good-byes and Gloria hung up the phone. She stared at the walls of her office. What was she going to do? The wedding was in three months. She wanted to at least learn enough Latin dancing so she wouldn’t look like a complete idiot at the wedding. Eduardo had been an excellent teacher. If anyone could get her ready for the wedding i

n time, it was him.

She chewed her bottom lip as she stared at the phone. For all she knew he was completely booked up. Or he would resent her for having quit and refuse to take her back as his student. Or a meteor could smash into the earth and solve all her problems.

She sighed, picked up the phone, and dialed the number for the dance studio Eduardo taught at.

“In Motion Dance Studio.”

Gloria frowned. The receptionist sounded like her mouth was full of food.

“May I speak to Eduardo Reyes?”

“Who?”

Oh, good Lord, Gloria thought, where did they find these people?

“Eduardo. He’s an instructor there.”

“Hold on.”

Gloria drummed her manicured nails on the desk. Then she noted that one of her nails was chipped. Before she could make a mental note to have it fixed, the receptionist was back on the line.

“He’s not here.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“No.”

Gloria gritted her teeth. “Do you know how I can contact him?”

“No.”

“Will he be in later?”

“I don’t know.” The woman’s voice grew flatter with each response.

Yeah, screw you, too, Gloria thought. “Well, if he does come in, could you please tell him that Gloria Berner called?”