Page 27 of Sway

Diana jumps up and hugs Iza. Jenny and Salomé roll their eyes. Iza and Diana exchange party information and then Iza gives me and Nicole cheek kisses and leaves the club.

Nicole looks up from her phone. She frantically texts another message and then stashes it in her purse and stands to leave.

Hey, where’s my party going? “Nikita, you’re ditching me?” I pout.

“Vika, you know I’d love to stay. But I miss Rebecca. I’ve been practicing so much and I just want to go home and spend some time with her.”

Another one bites the dust.

“Okay, Nikita.” I give her a kiss on the cheek. “Kiss her for me.”

Salomé and Jenny rise. “I’m out,” Salomé says. “Let’s go.” She and Jenny start heading to the exit. “Come on, Diana.”

“Nah, you girls go ahead. I’m gonna hang out for a bit.”

They stop in their tracks. “With who? Vika? You can’t be serious.” I can hear the rage in Jenny’s voice. I love it.

“Diana . . . come on. Let’s go.” Jenny looks at Salomé for back up.

“Naw. I’m gonna stay back for a while. No biggie. I’ll catch up with you guys later.”

I pat little Diana’s knee. “Don’t worry, girls. I’ll take care of her.” Not that I want to spend one of my precious nights off babysitting. But it’s worth it to get under Salomé’s skin.

“Thanks for the offer, Vika, but it isn’t necessary. Diana is leaving with us. Now.” Jenny stomps her foot.

Diana’s cheeks turn flush. “Aw, guys. This place is so cool and I’ve never been anywhere like this ever. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you at home later. Don’t worry about me.”

“Unbelievable.” Salomé closes Jenny’s jaw and the two head out.

Diana and I sit in silence. She looks around the room and seems hypnotized by lights and beautiful people.

I try to lighten the mood. “So, you’re sick of Salomé and Jenny, too?”

“Oh no, not at all. I love them.” She barely looks my way; we could be talking about the weather in Timbuktu. “I’ve just never been in a really upscale bar, just the ones in Tijuana.”

I slowly lick the sugar off the rim of Jenny’s untouched Lemon Drop. Diana catches me and just stares at it. “Here, try it.” I hold the glass out to her. “One drink will not kill you. Tastes like lemonade.”

She takes the glass . . . runs her tongue around the rim . . . then takes the tiniest little sip. “You’re right,” she says, smiling. “Lemonade.”

“Maladiets.” I pat her on the head as she takes another sip. Though the lights in the background fade, our night has just begun.

Quickstep

The thundering beat filled the dance hall. He raced to her and swung her into his arms. Their legs intertwined, they pranced to the corner of the floor. Unable to hide their excitement, they hopped and jumped in synch. They giddily skipped to other end of the ballroom. She was having the time of her life. Kicking and flicking their feet together, they danced the night away.