Page 36 of Little Miss Fortune

I think I just snorted. I did, didn’t I? I laughed, and a snort came out without consulting me first. Might end it all and jump into oncoming traffic after this is over.

Malik doesn’t seem too bothered by my horrendous display, but a slight chuckle escapes him before going back to ‘one-and-two-and’.

‘Are you here on a work outing?’ Malik asks, interrupting his counting.

‘No, just with a friend.’ I glance back at the floor when he’s distracted.

‘Huh, I thought that was your marketing officer.’

Fuck off. No way. I snap my head.

‘Go, Fuko!’ Sashka shouts gleefully, standing next to Toby and Leon.

‘Let’s go say hi!’ Malik says without waiting for my response and drags me off the dance floor when the song finishes. Who knew that I would be the one desperate to stay dancing?

‘Oh, hi, guys,’ I flash a smile instead of what I want to do, which is scream and throw dirty looks at Leon. ‘I didn’t know you were coming.’

‘We weren’t going to, but we were in the area. You were doing so well, Fuko! Wasn’t she?’ she asks Toby.

Toby Lewis stands with an unreadable expression that changes into a cheeky smirk. ‘I’m impressed, not a single stepped toe.’

His condescending tone raises the heat in my cheeks. Hopefully, the soft lighting is hiding it from everyone here.

‘Are you two dancing?’ Malik asks them.

‘No, look what I have done.’ Sashka lifts her pressed trouser leg and reveals an ankle wrapped up in kinesiology tape.

‘What happened?’ I bend over to have a better look.

‘There was a hole in the ground.’ Is all she says and accepts my hug. ‘So we had to abandon our walk and stop by a pharmacy. But Toby can dance.’

‘I don’t—’ he protests.

‘Don’t be shy. I can teach you too.’ Malik encourages him.

‘It’s honestly—’

‘I think he’s just too boring for that.’ I hate being spiteful. I do. But the way Toby Lewis’s mouth and face contort bring me an immeasurable amount of joy.

I don’t know what I expected to happen, but for a second, I swear I felt a gale rush up to the ceiling.

‘Oh, you will regret this.’ He fires an empty threat that makes me roll my eyes.

I reach for his hand, warm and solid under my fingers. He pulls me in, into the centre of the dance floor. The motions are like Malik’s; Toby’s hand, however, isn’t anywhere near my hip. It doesn’t need to be. He doesn’t need to count or to tell me to look up. I follow his every push and pull, forgetting about the surrounding music, with my heartbeat loud in my ears.

His eyes dig into mine, relishing the complete surprise with a victorious glimmer. Like the helm, he rotates and twists me around as if I am a ship in uneasy waters and he is an experienced captain. His whole body presses against mine, separated by measly layers of clothing,

What the fuck is wrong with me? Why does it feel as if my skin is burning from his touch? Act normal, Fuko. Everyone is watching.

The lights flash off and turn back on again, stopping the music. I pull away, Toby’s hands lingering on me for a second too long. Does he look angry with me?

‘Wow, that was impressive.’ Leon claps when we are back and the new song plays.

Sashka smiles and kisses Toby on the cheek when he returns, but for a moment, there was a twinge around the corner of her lip. I could have imagined it, of course, feeling my guilt rise as my heartbeat and breathing return to normal. Leon passes my bag back. For a second, I hear the faint jingle of a bell. Maybe I’m imagining it too.

‘You dance beautifully.’ Malik props my hands in his and kisses them, like the rest of the male dancers, and then hands me something from his back pocket. ‘In case you want a dancing partner or a film crew at your disposal.’

His business card. I hold it with both hands until he has gone back to a patient woman in the dance queue.