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One of our regular students, Leonora, walks up to me confidently, asking to be my partner.
“In a minute,” I tell her. “I’m going to walk around and check on everyone.”
She pouts, and I pair her up with Carla to practice the steps while I keep my eyes on Julie and Ethan as much as I can.
His hands are all wrong, wrapped around her like that. His body is too close to hers. I walk over and adjust it.
“You don’t want to be so close. This is an open embrace, Ethan,” I tell him, my voice inexplicably clipped. “Spine straight. Don’t act like a magnet to her.” Which is nothing if not hypocritical because lately all I’ve felt like is a magnet pulled to her presence.
“Keep your hand here.” I position her arm, reveling in the softness of her skin I get to touch again.
“Okay.” She nods, doing as I say.
They continue to dance, both looking straight ahead, practicing the moves over and over.
Once the song is over and Tara and I have said our goodbyes for the week, Julie comes up to me.
“Can I talk to you for a moment?”
I’m surprised, maybe a little concerned. “Sure. What’s up?”
“So. I’ve decided to attend the milonga at the end of the session,” she starts. “But—”
“You can be my date.” I hear Ethan’s voice out of nowhere, a playful tone like he might be kidding, but I’m not quite sure.
“Oh.” Julie says. And that’s all she says for a moment.
“Usually, youasksomebody to be your date, not just state it, Ethan.” I try to keep my voice equally light and teasing, but I’m annoyed. It’s basic fucking etiquette, really.
“Want to be mine?” He tries again, smirking.
I think a vein just popped in my forehead.
“Um. Okay,” Julie answers apprehensively, then turns to me. “But, I was going to say, I’m having a hard time with the scheduling of this class. It’s interfering with my work, unfortunately, so,” she clears her throat, “would you happen to offer private classes?”
“Hey, that sounds good,” Ethan chimes in, inviting himself.
The words are on the tip of my tongue—No, I don’t do private lessons—which is the truth. I haven’t done them in years, and I have no intention of starting anytime soon. But all I feel right now, besides the absolute dissolving of any fucking logic or reason, is my body and mind screaming,don’t take her from us.
And maybe it’s how she’s uneasy, already anticipating a no. Maybe it’s how I can recognize the look on her face as something I once felt. Or the look on Ethan’s face that is saying something else altogether. I want to wipe that one off his face.
Maybe it’s how I can feel my entire body zing with an awareness.We want her back, it’s saying.We want her near.
And so, I tell her yes. She’s stepping out of her own comfort zone, I can tell. She’s giving up a little bit of control. I can guide her through this.
“I can give you private lessons,” I respond, and I’m sure that somewhere Tara has probably fainted.
“Really?” She smiles like I’ve given her the best gift.
“That’s great,” Ethan says.
“Great,” I manage to say.
“Great!” Tara adds, a little too loudly.
“What would work with your schedule then?”
“I usually have to stay late in the office, so would there be an option to maybe push the time back later?” she asks hesitantly.
