Evan laughed. "Who says he wants to impress her? Colin doesn't care what anyone thinks--"
"Go on," Colin said, cutting him off.
Evan turned toward him in surprise while Lily sat up straighter. "I'm pleased you understand the dilemma you're in. What I'm trying to tell you is that you need to learn the basics."
For a moment, neither Colin nor Evan said anything.
"And just how is he supposed to learn the basics?" Evan finally asked. "We live in Wilmington. I highly doubt there are any salsa dance instructors who will clear their schedules in the next couple of days so my friend here won't embarrass himself."
Lily leaned over, reaching for the small bag that had been placed next to the couch and pulling out an assortment of CDs.
"These are salsa albums, and you'll need to listen to them. I called my old dance teacher and she was more than happy to send a few samples. Nothing is very recent, but that's not important. Salsa is more about speed and rhythm--the beat, so to speak--than melody. And as for the instructor, I will be more than happy to help Colin learn what he needs to know."
"You know how to salsa dance?" Evan asked.
"Of course," she answered. "I danced for almost twelve years, and at various times, we focused on alternative dancing."
"Alternative?" Evan asked.
"I grew up in Charleston. Anything other than the shag or the waltz is considered alternative," she said, as though this were the kind of thing any civilized Southerner would know. "But really, Evan. You need to let Colin ask the questions. He's barely been able to say a single word." She turned to Colin. "Would you allow me to be your instructor for the next couple of days?"
"How much time are we talking about?"
"I'll show you a few things tonight--the basic steps and movements, turns, and how to lead your partner through a spin--so you know what you'll be working on. After that, we'll need three hours tomorrow evening, and another three hours on Friday evening. After I finish work and change, so beginning around six. And obviously, you should practice in your spare time before you get here."
"Will that be enough?"
"It's not nearly time enough to be good. Or even average. To be truly proficient at any form of dancing can take years. But if you focus and do exactly what I tell you, it just might be enough for your date on Saturday."
Colin took a sip of water, not answering right away.
"Don't tell me you're actually considering this," Evan said to him.
"Of course he's considering it. He knows I'm right."
Colin lowered the glass to his lap. "Okay," he said. "But I'll have to get someone to cover my shift on Friday night."
"Wonderful." Lily smiled.
"Wait," Evan said, turning to Lily. "I thought we were going out on Friday."
"I'm very sorry, but I'm going to have to cancel. A friend needs my help, and I honestly can't decline. He's been so sweet about asking."
"Seriously? Don't I get any say in this?"
"Of course you do," Lily said. "You'll be here both nights, too. As well as tonight, obviously."
"Here?"
"Where else?"
"I don't know. A dance studio, maybe?"
"Don't be silly. There's no need for that. But I will need you to move the furniture in the living room. You're right about us needing space to work. And you'll be responsible for the music, too--skipping back or forward when I tell you, starting the song over, things like that. We really need to maximize the use of our time. You'll be my little helper."
"Little helper?"
She smiled at him. "Did I mention that salsa dancing can really make a woman feel... sensual? And that the feeling can last for hours afterwards?"
Evan swallowed, staring at her. "I'd be glad to help."
"You folded like a cheap suit," Colin said. He and Evan were moving the couch to one side of the room while Lily went to the bedroom to fetch the proper pair of shoes, with just the right heel height, and change her clothes. Lily never did anything halfway.
"Whatever it takes to help a friend."
Colin smiled. "Okay."
"And after we're done, you're going to help me put the furniture back."
"Okay."
"And you're not going to ask to stay longer to practice, either. You're out of here by nine o'clock."
"Okay."
They set the couch down. "I don't know how she talks me into things like this."
Colin shrugged. "I think I have a pretty good idea."
Once the furniture was out of the way and the area rug rolled up, Lily pulled Colin into the center of the room. Evan sat glumly on the couch, books and a lamp and assorted knickknacks on the cushion beside him. Lily had changed into tight white jeans, a red silk blouse, and a pair of shoes that probably cost more than Colin earned in a week. Though she was Evan's fiancee and Colin's friend, Colin was aware that she fairly oozed sex appeal.
"Don't get too close, Colin," Evan called out.
"Hush, now," Lily told him, all business. "You may be wondering why I changed," she said to Colin.
"Not really," Colin answered.
"I changed so you can watch what my feet are doing. As I mentioned, I'm going to show you the most basic step, upon which much of salsa dancing is based. It's one you can always fall back on, no matter what Maria is doing. Does that make sense?"
"Yes."
"Before we begin, I'm making the assumption that Maria knows how to salsa dance."
"She told me she used to dance all the time."
"Perfect." Lily moved beside him, both of them facing the window, allowing Evan a profile view. "That means she'll be able to follow your lead. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Then watch my feet and do exactly what I'm doing," she said. "Step out with your left foot--that's a one count--then shift your weight onto the toe of your right foot--that's two--now bring the left foot back to its starting position--that's three--and pause for a beat--that's four." She demonstrated and Colin did the same. "Now, step back with your right foot--that's five--shift your weight to the toe of your left foot--six--then bring your right foot forward again to its starting position--seven--and pause again for a beat. That's eight. And you're done." Again, Colin followed her lead.
"That's it?"
She nodded. "Let's do it again, okay?"
They did. Then did it again. And again and again, repeating the movement over and over as Lily counted from one to eight, and then a dozen more times, and then gradually speeding up, and then continuing without counting. They took a break, then started slowly from the beginning, gradually speeding up again. Once he felt he was getting the hang of it, Lily stopped and watched as Colin continued. "That's perfect," she said, nodding. "You have the steps now, but the real key to this is not to be so bouncy. Right now, you're moving like a ruffian marching through the swamp. You want to be smoother, like a blossom slowly beginning to open. Keep your shoulders at the same height throughout the steps."
"How do I do that?"
"Use more hips," she said. "Like this." As she showed him what she meant--gliding through the movements, her hips sashaying back and forth, her shoulders level throughout--Lily was right about the dance being sensual. From the corner of his eye, Colin noted that Evan was sitting up straighter and staring at Lily, though she didn't seem to notice. "So now, let's do the exact same thing again, this time with some music, and concentrate on being smoother." She turned toward Evan. "Sugar? Would you mind starting the song over?"
Evan shook his head, like a man trying to wake up from a dream. "What? Did you say something?"
They danced for a little more than two hours. In addition to the basic step, Colin learned how to turn, and at that point, they began to dance together. Lily showed him where to place his right hand (on her upper back, just below her arm, he reminded himself), and she showed him how to lead her through three different spins by making tiny signals with his left hand, which required him to take slightly different steps before falling back i
nto the basic footfalls again.
Through it all, she reminded him to glide and use his hips, maintain eye contact, keep in rhythm with the beat, stop counting out loud, and smile. It required more concentration than he'd imagined. Afterward, they put the furniture back in place and Colin made to leave. Lily held Evan's hand as Colin stepped onto the porch.
"You did very well tonight," Lily said. "You have a natural rhythm when it comes to dancing."
"It's a bit like boxing," he observed.
"I surely hope not," she said, sounding almost offended.
He smiled. "Tomorrow night, right?"
"Six o'clock sharp," she said. She handed him a CD. "This is for you. Tomorrow, whenever you have extra time during the day, I insist that you practice your steps and turns and pretend to lead your partner through a spin. Concentrate on your hand signals, and try to be smooth. It would be most unproductive if we had to start over."
"Okay," he said. "And Lily?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you," he said.
"You're welcome, Colin." She smiled. "I'd be remiss, however, if I didn't take the opportunity to address another issue that has recently come to mind."
Colin waited expectantly.
"Concerning your luncheon date tomorrow with Maria, I'm sure I don't have to remind you that you'll be meeting her in a professional setting, which requires a more formal manner of dress. Nor, I hope, do I have to remind you that as much as you love your car, there is nothing less inviting than a cluttered interior, or a car that won't start. Am I correct in my assumptions?"
I've tried to fix my car for reasons other than Maria, but now that you mention it..."Yes," he answered.
"I'm pleased," she said, nodding. "A woman, after all, has certain expectations when it comes to courting. Now, as far as the flowers go... have you decided what to bring? Knowing that different bouquets might carry with them various assumptions?"
Lily sounded so serious that it was hard for Colin not to smile.
"What do you recommend?"
She raised a manicured hand to her chin. "Well, considering that the two of you are still getting to know each other, and that it's only a lunch date, a bouquet of roses is far too formal, and lilies--while lovely--are much more suited to the spring. Carnations, obviously, convey nothing at all other than being an inexpensive choice, so that simply won't do."
Colin nodded. "Makes sense to me."
"Perhaps a simple autumn bouquet, then? With a mixture of yellow spray roses, bronze daisies, and maybe just a stem of red hypericum?" She nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that strikes me as perfect for this occasion. You'll need to ask to have the flowers arranged in a vase, obviously, so she can place it in her office, but it's clearly the right choice for this occasion, don't you think?"
"Without a doubt."
"And make sure to order them from Michael's Florist. He's really quite an artist when it comes to arrangements. Call him first thing in the morning and mention my name. He'll know what to do."
Evan smirked, clearly enjoying this and probably suspecting that Colin would be no different than he was when it came to Lily and her requests. And because Evan knew him better than anyone, Colin finally nodded.
"Okay."
In the morning, Colin rose early and was pleased to find that the old Camaro started on the first turn of the key. He put in a hard workout at the gym--plyometrics and barbell work, jumping rope, and long intervals on both the heavy and speed bags. On the way back to his apartment he stopped by a Dumpster and cleared the clutter from his car. At home, with his muscles still warm and loose, he popped in one of Lily's CDs and spent half an hour practicing his salsa steps, amazed that he hadn't forgotten anything. He was surprised again at how much concentration it required.
He downed a protein smoothie and showered, then dressed in dark slacks, loafers, and a button-down shirt, leftovers from his courtroom days. He'd put on serious muscle since then and the shirt was too tight in the chest and arms, but it was the best he could do. Standing in front of the mirror, he thought to himself that, aside from the top being a bit snug, Evan might as well have dressed him. The outfit was ridiculous, especially since he'd be on a campus where shorts and flip-flops were the norm. Though he knew that Lily wouldn't have approved, he rolled the cuffs, exposing a bit of his forearms. Better. More comfortable, too.
His classmates either didn't notice or didn't care about his dress, and he listened and took notes as always. No Serena afterward, as they only had classes together on Mondays and Wednesdays. With a few extra minutes, he called the florist and ordered an autumn bouquet, whatever the hell that was. From there he trudged off to a classroom-management class, aware that he hadn't stopped moving since the alarm had gone off, his regular routine in tatters.
His final class of the day ended at a quarter to noon. By then, the sun was high, and with Indian summer hanging on, he walked slowly to his car, trying not to sweat. He stopped at the florist on the way to the address Maria had given him, and as if fate was toying with him, it took two turns of the key and a bit of pedal pumping to get the engine going. All he could do was keep his fingers crossed.
Martenson, Hertzberg & Holdman occupied its own building, a relatively modern structure a couple of blocks from the Cape Fear River and smack-dab in the middle of the historic district, with parking on both sides of the building. On either side and across the street, the buildings ran together, one shade of brick giving way to another, storefronts dotted with awnings. He pulled into a spot only a few slots away from Maria's car, and next to a shiny red Corvette.
He grabbed the vase of flowers--remembering Lily and her phrase certain expectations--and then thought about Ken and the problems he was causing. He wondered if the guy would be around; he wanted to put a face to a name. As he locked his car, he suddenly saw the entire morning as a countdown to the time when he could finally see Maria again.
Surprising no one more than himself, he realized that he'd missed her.
CHAPTER 10
Maria
With Barney holed up in his office, readying himself for trial, Maria was on double duty. She spent the morning touching base with clients, doing her best to ensure that each one felt their case was still a priority. Every half hour or so, their paralegal, Lynn, would enter with even more documents or forms to be filed, and though it was all Maria could do to keep up, staying busy had the benefit of keeping her from fretting about her lunch date. Or, more accurately, how her parents were going to react when they met Colin. For starters--and unlike Luis--Colin was a gringo, and while it wasn't that big of a deal for people in her generation, her parents were probably going to be surprised. Allowing them to meet Colin meant the relationship was getting serious, and they'd probably always assumed Maria would only seriously date someone who was Mexican. Everyone in her family--even relatives by marriage--was Mexican, and there were cultural differences. Her family celebrated every family get-together with a pinata for the kids, listened to mariachi music, watched telenovelas obsessively, and spoke only Spanish among themselves. Some of her aunts and uncles spoke no English at all. She knew it wouldn't necessarily be a problem for her parents, but they'd probably wonder why Maria hadn't mentioned Colin's background. The rest of her family's opinions about it would probably fall along generational lines, with the younger relatives more likely to shrug off the idea as inconsequential. Still, she had no doubt that it was going to be a topic of conversation among the family at the restaurant, one that would probably continue long after Maria and Colin said good-bye.
Those things she could deal with. What she wasn't sure she could handle was any discussion concerning Colin's past, which she knew was unavoidable. Ordinary conversation ensured it, and what was going to happen if either her mom or her dad started asking him questions today? She supposed she could head off the answers by stating that they were simply friends and steering the conversation in another direction, but how long could she keep that up? Unless their relationship petered out after Saturda
y--and Maria admitted that she hoped it wouldn't--Colin's past was going to come up. And what had Serena said about that? I don't even want to be in the same state when you drop that little bombshell. To her parents, it wouldn't matter that she was a grown woman; they'd make their displeasure known, assuring themselves that they were doing the right thing, since it was obvious that Maria had no idea what she was getting herself into.
And the crazy thing was, her parents were probably right.
"You have a visitor," Jill said.
Maria was hanging up with Gwen, the receptionist, who'd just shared the same information when Jill appeared in her doorway, a handbag already over her shoulder.
"I just heard," she answered, noting that it was a quarter past twelve. "I don't know where the morning went. It feels like I just got here."
Jill smiled. "I take it that you and Colin are going out?"
"Yeah, about that," Maria said. "I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to tell you earlier that I had plans, but I've been slammed all morning. I barely had a second to breathe."
"No worries," Jill said, waving it off. "I remember the whole work-till-you-drop drill when Barney's getting ready for trial. Actually, I was coming by to tell you that I was planning to surprise Paul at his office and make him take me out."
"Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Not about lunch. But I do wish you had warned me that Colin was coming by. I would have had Paul come by here, too, so he could see for himself what eating right and working out will do for a man."
"Paul's fine."
"Easy for you to say. Look at who's waiting for you in the lobby. Paul, on the other hand, is getting a little soft and he doesn't even care. And I know he doesn't care, because I've been dropping little self-improvement hints. As in, 'Put the cookie down and hop on the treadmill, for God's sake.'"