“What’s so funny?” she asks mortified.
I shrug, “I can think of worse ways to go.” She frowns at me. “Death by oral by Joshua Stanton.” I shrug again, “Could be fun.” Her mouth drops open.
“I fucking knew it. What’s going on?” Shit this champagne is giving me loose lips, and loose lips sink ships.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Come on, let’s dance.”
The dance floor is tucked into the corner of the building, and the lights are dim with the customary disco lights in full swing. A DJ is in the middle of the front centre and a bar that hugs the wall just off the dance floor. Joshua is still staring at me as I grab Bridget’s hand and lead her over to the dance floor.
“I wanted another drink,” she scowls. At the back of the dance floor I notice there are mirrors all the way around the walls. It’s sort of offputting watching yourself dance so I put my back to the mirrors and face the bar. To my relief Joshua, Ben and Adrian saunter down to the bar. Is he following me? I tally up a small victory and smile to myself—my plan is working. I continue to dance, occasionally looking in the mirror to see if he is still there. He’s more than still there, he’s staring at me from behind. I can feel the heat from his penetrating gaze. Even as he drinks, his eyes don’t leave me. I feel like the prey being hunted. Boy, I wish he was hunting me. Not in the plan Natasha, remember just prick teasing. Nothing more. Adrian and Ben are talking to him but he’s not answering, he just keeps staring at me, occasionally nodding. My god, he’s beautiful. He’s undressing me with his eyes, and I love it, I wish it were for real. Ben turns to look at me and says something to Adrian and Adrian turns to look at me too. Shit, they are talking about me. Joshua says something and Ben smiles and rubs his arm. Huh what did Josh say that would earn him a sympathy rub? Suddenly I’m bumped from behind. I stumble forward into Bridget and grab her arms for support.
“Ooh sorry,” a short bald guy smiles.
“It’s ok,” Bridget answers, nodding and smiling. He seems harmless enough. For some reason though, he sees that as an open invitation to dance with us. His dancing style is Saturday night fever gone wrong. His arms are flying all over the place and he’s sweating up like a treat. His buttons on his shirt are so stretched they might pop any minute. He’s a close dancer. Oh jeez, I hate those. The song changes to ‘Sexy Back’ by Justin Timberlake and he really turns up the heat, getting closer and closer. I look to Bridge to find the bitch giggling and shaking her head. I pull wide eyes at her and she shakes her head. Oh no, what’s he doing now? Shit. He’s circling me doing maraca hands—this is beyond the pale. Oh god, he’s standing behind me doing peekaboo over each of my shoulders. Bridget is full laughing now and so am I. This guy is a freak. Some idiot has moved into my mirror image of Mr Stanton, so he is temporarily out of my line of vision. I hope he is not watching this. The guy dances around to the front of me again and leans in, and I instinctively lean back. He stinks of body odour and I pull a disgusted face to Bridget who just keeps giggling with her head down. Even she’s embarrassed by this spectacle of a man.
“What’s your name, pretty lady?” he says while he rolls his hips, obviously trying to be sexy. Huh, what the? Oh buzz off baldy. I’m trying to prick tease here and you’re cramping my style. I smile, shake my head and hold my hand up to Bridge to signify getting a drink, and she nods in relief. We make it to the bar in a fit of giggles. Joshua is talking to Ben and another man I don’t know and Adrian is standing alone. We get our drinks and amble over to him.
“What’s so funny?” he asks over his wine glass.
I shake my head and Bridget smiles. “Natasha is the ultimate dance floor idiot magnet.” I shake my head and throw a piece of ice at her. “Shut up,” I giggle.
“No, seriously, Adrian you have no idea,” she puts her hand on his forearm. “Every time we are out Natasha gets some crazy disaster stalking her on the dance floor.”
Adrian rolls his eyes at her. “I’m sure she gets some pretty hot ones as well.”
I smile at him. Adrian’s gay.
“Yeah she does, she’s a guy magnet.”
“Shut up, I am not,” I stammer.
“Are too,” she giggles into her glass.