“So, classical ballroom is out,” Viktor joked.
“You’re silly,” she laughed. “I don’t know. Salsa maybe?”
“Okay,” he agreed. “We can definitely find that around here.”
“I’m a little rusty.”
“No worries. A couple margaritas in and you’ll be fine.”
“Oh boy,” she laughed. “This could be dangerous.”
“You’re safe with me,” he assured her.
They found a Mexican restaurant and dance club on the south side of the city. The entrance fee for the dance and bar section was waived for diners of the restaurant which was a separate section of the building.
Viktor wore a pair of light blue cotton pants and a white button up shirt while Amanda had on a purple tank top and white capris. She wore the jewelry set that Viktor had bought for her in Scotland. Viktor was pleased to see her wearing it and told her she looked beautiful.
They arrived just before the dinner rush hour and ordered margaritas with their meals. Amanda felt nervous about dancing with Viktor. She hadn’t been dancing in so long and felt very self-conscious so when Viktor offered her a second margarita before they moved to the dance floor, she readily accepted.
She was halfway done with her drink when Viktor paid for their meal and they took their drinks to the dance club side. The music was much louder and the lights much lower. Despite the early hour, it was already crowded.
Viktor chugged down the rest of his drink and turned to her. “You want to dance?”
“I haven’t finished my drink,” she said.
“Just put it down. I’ll get you another one.”
Feeling like that would be a waste, Amanda decided to just finish it. As soon as she put the glass down, Viktor grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. The alcohol was starting to kick in so she was less inhibited than she would have been. Viktor didn’t seem to be even slightly inhibited. He was a great dancer and his energy was infectious.
They had worked up quite a sweat after the fourth dance and Amanda asked for some water. Viktor suggested she try to snag an open table while he got the drinks. She glanced around the room but couldn’t find a single table that wasn’t already occupied. There weren’t many to begin with and the place was now nearly packed.
While she was scouring the room for any signs that a table was about to free up, a tall, young man with dark brown hair and brown eyes wearing jeans and a red button-up shirt that was half undone came up to her and asked if she wanted to dance.
She smiled and shook her head. “No thank you. I’m with someone,” she shouted over the loud music.
“It’s just a dance,” he tried to persuade her as he grabbed her hand and tried to lead her to the dancefloor.
She pulled her hand back. “No, thank you,” she repeated. “I don’t want to dance right now.”
“Come on,” he said with a smile. He grabbed her hand again and tried once more to pull her onto the floor.
She tried to pull her hand away but he held onto her, still smiling and pulling her towards the dancefloor. Amanda wasn’t sure what to make of his aggressive yet jovial demeanor. She wasn’t used to being treated that way and it made her feel anxious. The man was still tugging on her arm when Viktor suddenly appeared. He stood between them, facing the aggressive dancer.
The man quickly relinquished his grip and took a step back. “Sorry, I thought she was alone.” He then turned and left.
“I told him I was with someone,” Amanda said to Viktor in rebuttal when he turned to her.
“Clearly, that didn’t matter to him,” Viktor replied as he held a bottle of water out to her. In his other hand was another margarita.
“Thank you.” She took the bottle and drank half of it all at once. “You didn’t get one?”
He smiled. “I only have two hands.”
“Would you like to share my water?” she offered with a grin.
“Sure. Would you like to share my margarita?”
“Okay.”
They swapped drinks and Viktor finished the water as she sipped on the margarita, which was probably not the best idea since she was still feeling the first two. Viktor polished off the alcohol and they returned to the dance floor. After a couple songs, Amanda began to feel like she was having trouble coordinating her movements. Viktor pulled her off the dancefloor to an open spot along the wall. She leaned on him for support as she felt lightheaded.
“I’m sorry,” Viktor said. “I think I gave you too much alcohol.”
“I’m a big girl,” she replied. “I should know my limit.”
He pulled her towards him and put his arms around her. “You wouldn’t have drunk it if I hadn’t offered.”
“Again … I’m a big girl.”
He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her. “You want more water?”
“I think I need a restroom.”
“Are you going to be sick?”
“No. Too much liquid.”
“Ah. This way.” He took her by the hand and led her towards the restrooms.
Amanda washed her hands and then looked at her reflection in the mirror, much to her chagrin. “Oh, dear lord I look crazy,” she muttered. Her cheeks were bright red and her face was sweaty. Her hair had frizzed from a combination of the heat and moisture and her clothes were damp. She tried to dab the sweat from her face with a paper towel but that ended up making her even more red. She tried in vain to comb her hair back down but that only made it worse. Giving up entirely on trying to fix her hair she quickly tied it up in a ponytail which only marginally improved her appearance. She left the bathroom feeling slightly mortified.
Viktor was waiting for her and gave her a broad smile as she walked towards him. She couldn’t help noticing how incredibly handsome and relaxed he looked and then wondered what in the world he
