Page 11 of Mountain Dreams

She knew that about him too, but she’d hoped he’d suck it up for tonight for her. She’d been looking forward to dressing up and dancing with him, but her enthusiasm wasn’t enough for them both.

After dinner, the DJ played a popular dance song, and she tapped her feet to the music underneath the table.

“C’mon, you guys. Let’s dance!” Cody said. He stood up and grabbed Brooke’s hand.

“I don’t like this song,” she whined.

“Me either,” Wyatt said.

Cody locked eyes with her. “Maddie?”

It was one of her favorite songs, but she felt bad about leaving her date behind. Wyatt looked at her and said, “Go ahead.”

That was all she needed to hear, and then Cody was leading her onto the dance floor, his palm pressed to her lower back. His touch gave her a thrill, but she pretended it was the music instead.

They disappeared into the middle of the throng, where they couldn’t see or be seen by their dates. The music infused her body and soul, and soon her hands were in the air, and her hips swayed to the beat.

Cody was an excellent dancer, and his enthusiasm was palpable. They fed off each other’s energy, and she’d never enjoyed dancing so much in her entire young life.

“You’re really good,” she said.

“Huh?” he said, leaning closer.

She put her mouth up to his ear. “I said, you’re really good!”

“That’s what they tell me,” he said with a devilish grin.

Maybe it was the heat from dancing and the crush of bodies all around them, but she swore she felt that grin down to her toes.

“I was talking about dancing,” she scolded.

“So was I!”

She laughed and shook her head at him.

The crowd parted, and she glanced over at their table. Wyatt had moved into the chair next to Brooke, and the two of them were deep in conversation, seemingly unconcerned about the absence of their dates.

Cody followed her gaze. “See, I told you they wouldn’t mind.”

She wasn’t sure what to make of that, but something felt off. Wyatt was her boyfriend, yet she was having more fun with Cody.

“We’re going to slow it down now,” the DJ said as the song ended.

She started to leave the dance floor, but Cody put his hand on her arm and stopped her.

“You promised me a dance.”

“We just did.”

“I meant a slow dance.”

“Oh.” She glanced back at their table, and it was empty. Brooke was standing in a circle of her girlfriends with her back to them, and Wyatt was nowhere to be seen.

“Dance with me,” Cody said as the first notes of a slow song rang out.

She looked into his eyes, and her heart rate skyrocketed. Why is this happening? Then his arms were around her waist, and he gently pulled her forward.

We’re just friends, she reminded herself as she placed her hands on his shoulders—his very muscular shoulders. He wasn’t a jock, but he was lean and fit from traversing the mountains of Sawyer’s Ridge. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, fishing, and exploring the place they called home—the Great Smoky Mountains.