Page 35 of A Summer of Stars

“Get up.”

Pushing my seat back and straightening the end of my jacket, I stood. It triggered a domino effect of stares; Aldridge looked up at me, confused, along with everyone else at the table, wondering what the hell I was doing. “Now what?”

“Ask her to dance.”

“Not happen—”

“Kieran Alexander, do you want this to work or not? Because everyone at this table thinks you’re a flirt, so put those acting skills to good use, God damn it—”

“Fine,” I responded. Shutting the phone, I looked to Aldridge. “Dance with me.”

I wasn’t sure if it was the trick of the lamplight or if she actually jolted back with surprise. She scanned the pairs dancing, as well as those around the table watching us. She knew she had no choice.

“All right.” She nodded.

I offered my hand. Reluctantly, she took it, allowing me to guide her to the front of the room. Her shoulders recoiled at the action, while every organ in my torso flipped upside down in defiance. She squeezed my hand, trying to cut off my circulation as we walked. My heart rate rose and rose androseuntil I was squeezing hers back.

Once we were close enough to the music, I pulled her in with force, holding her waist with my unoccupied hand. The fabric on her hip was smooth, similar to the shine of her hair. She grunted in frustration and placed a hand on the back of my shoulder.

My chin was right above the bridge of her nose. If I lookeddown, I’d probably be greeted by the shape of her necklace. I could smell the rich lotion on her neck and the product in her hair. It was too much. It made me dizzy.

“I need you to drop the scornful look on your face or else this will be for nothing.” I spoke slowly as I lightly swayed us to the instrumental music.

She looked up at me and smiled just enough for me to see her teeth. “Better?” Her voice was threatening. “See, I can act,” she said, returning to looking past my shoulder.

I refrained from responding. It was safer that way. Instead, I strengthened my hand on her back to keep her facial expressions hidden.

“Was that a flip phone?” she spoke up.

“Yes.”

“You’re not going to explain why you have a flip phone?”

“You didn’t ask why. You asked if I had one,” I told her. I could hear her eye roll without dipping my head.

“Fine,whydo you have a flip phone?”

“I only need to make phone calls. I receive hard copy scripts in the mail, and I’m not interested in reading tabloids or internet opinions.”

“It’s that simple?” she asked.

“That simple.”

“You never read what’s published about you?”

“Not if I can help it.”

She nodded in response.

I could be civil. I cleared my throat. “Who were you talking to earlier, on the phone?”

“My brother, Walt,” she said.

“Older brother?”

“By two years.”

“Are you close?”