“I don’t know. A dance studio, maybe?”
“Don’t be silly. There’s no need for that. But I will need you to move the furniture in the living room. You’re right about us needing space to work. And you’ll be responsible for the music, too – skipping back or forward when I tell you, starting the song over, things like that. We really need to maximize the use of our time. You’ll be my little helper.”
“Little helper?”
She smiled at him. “Did I mention that salsa dancing can really make a woman feel… sensual? And that the feeling can last for hours afterwards?”
Evan swallowed, staring at her. “I’d be glad to help.”
“You folded like a cheap suit,” Colin said. He and Evan were moving the couch to one side of the room while Lily went to the bedroom to fetch the proper pair of shoes, with just the right heel height, and change her clothes. Lily never did anything halfway.
“Whatever it takes to help a friend.”
Colin smiled. “Okay.”
“And after we’re done, you’re going to help me put the furniture back.”
“Okay.”
“And you’re not going to ask to stay longer to practice, either. You’re out of here by nine o’clock.”
“Okay.”
They set the couch down. “I don’t know how she talks me into things like this.”
Colin shrugged. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”
Once the furniture was out of the way and the area rug rolled up, Lily pulled Colin into the center of the room. Evan sat glumly on the couch, books and a lamp and assorted knickknacks on the cushion beside him. Lily had changed into tight white jeans, a red silk blouse, and a pair of shoes that probably cost more than Colin earned in a week. Though she was Evan’s fiancée and Colin’s friend, Colin was aware that she fairly oozed sex appeal.
“Don’t get too close, Colin,” Evan called out.
“Hush, now,” Lily told him, all business. “You may be wondering why I changed,” she said to Colin.
“Not really,” Colin answered.
“I changed so you can watch what my feet are doing. As I mentioned, I’m going to show you the most basic step, upon which much of salsa dancing is based. It’s one you can always fall back on, no matter what Maria is doing. Does that make sense?”
“Yes.”
“Before we begin, I’m making the assumption that Maria knows how to salsa dance.”
“She told me she used to dance all the time.”
“Perfect.” Lily moved beside him, both of them facing the window, allowing Evan a profile view. “That means she’ll be able to follow your lead. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Then watch my feet and do exactly what I’m doing,” she said. “Step out with your left foot – that’s a one count – then shift your weight onto the toe of your right foot – that’s two – now bring the left foot back to its starting position – that’s three – and pause for a beat – that’s four.” She demonstrated and Colin did the same. “Now, step back with your right foot – that’s five – shift your weight to the toe of your left foot – six – then bring your right foot forward again to its starting position – seven – and pause again for a beat. That’s eight. And you’re done.” Again, Colin followed her lead.
“That’s it?”
She nodded. “Let’s do it again, okay?”
They did. Then did it again. And again and again, repeating the movement over and over as Lily counted from one to eight, and then a dozen more times, and then gradually speeding up, and then continuing without counting. They took a break, then started slowly from the beginning, gradually speeding up again. Once he felt he was getting the hang of it, Lily stopped and watched as Colin continued. “That’s perfect,” she said, nodding. “You have the steps now, but the real key to this is not to be so bouncy. Right now, you’re moving like a ruffian marching through the swamp. You want to be smoother, like a blossom slowly beginning to open. Keep your shoulders at the same height throughout the steps.”