The First Catch

Chapter 16: Getting To know You (Part 2)

After Melanie and Tony finished their meal.  They sipped on their drinks, visiting while waiting for the band to start.  Anthony could see Melanie still had some nerves.  But realized once they found a few topics of interest, she loosened up.  He began learning which topics were safe, and which ones Melanie avoided.  This of course, got Anthony more curious.  Wanting to know the reasoning behind the avoidance.  But he knew those things would take time.  And hoped down the road, Melanie would begin to trust him enough.

Melanie got somewhat sidetracked.  Realizing she didn't hear a word Anthony said.  Until something registered, catching her attention.  "I did not!"  Melanie exclaimed.  Crossing her arms across her chest.  Pretending to look offended.  Anthony let out a small laugh.  Seeing Melanie turn her head slightly to the left.  He knew what he'd said wasn't true.  But Anthony realized Melanie started drifting.  And needed something that would bring her back.  "Well that is what Victoria said."  He stated with a small shrug.  Melanie turned her focus back on Anthony.  "And you believe everything Victoria says?"  Anthony bit his lip.  "No, not exactly.  But she does tell one hell of a good story."  Melanie rolled her eyes.  "Well I will fill you in on a little secret..."  "And what is that?"  Anthony asked, his tone holding some curiosity.  He leaned forward over the table a little.  Resting his arms on the surface.  His eyes looking straight into Mel's.  So she could see he held much interest in what Melanie had to tell him.  "Victoria lies.."  Anthony laughed.  About ready to respond, when some movement distracted him.  "Oh..  Looks like they're about to start!"

Melanie glanced towards the stage.  "Looks like it."   She agreed, reaching for the glass of wine. The two conversed a little longer, before the band started their first song.  A small smile formed across Mel's lips, as she heard the first few notes of the tune.  Anthony could tell Melanie already enjoyed herself.   By the way she bobbed her head, and tapped her finger along with the beat. Seeing a grin form on Anthony's features.  Melanie raised an eye.  "What are you looking at me like that for?"  "I was thinking.  It's a good thing we didn't keep that bet.  You'd have owed me fifty bucks."  Melanie laughed, shaking her head.  "Ha ha!"  

Anthony turned his chair, so he could now see the band play.  And noticed a few more dancers making their way onto the floor.  He swept a glance in Melanie's direction.  Noticing her foot tapping to the beat.  "Should we give it a go?"  He asked.  Anthony noticed a bit of change in Melanie's demeanor at his question.  She was still nervous.  "I'm..  I'm not warmed up.  I'll..  Be a bit rusty."  Anthony rolled his eyes.  "Mel.  I've seen your moves.  You're far from rusty.   Besides.. We already did one warm up dance.  You looked perfect to me."   Melanie felt her cheeks turn red.  "There's not a lot of others out there yet."  "Who cares?  They don't know us, and we don't know them.  Have a little fun for once."  Melanie furrowed her brows.  "I am..  Was..  Having fun."

"Oh come on.  How else will I be able to show off my moves?  And how excellent of a dance teacher I have?"  Melanie laughed as Anthony gave her a small wink.  "Now you're just trying to butter me up.  We have four hours."  She grinned.  Anthony gasped.  "Are you trying to get out of dancing with me?"  Melanie rolled her eyes in a playful manner.  "No..  I was.  I was um.."  Melanie tried thinking of a good excuse but couldn't.

Anthony was still trying to get Melanie out on the floor.  When the band cut their song short.  Both of them were so focused on themselves.  They didn't notice the drummer pointing them out.  As he noticed Anthony having trouble coaxing Melanie.  He formed an idea of his own to help the man out.  He wasn't sure if the leader would catch on..  But a small smirk formed when the singer figured it out.  And decided to play along.  "We are going to do something a little different folks.."  This got Melanie and Anthony's attention.  Melanie furrowed her brows.  Having a feeling she didn't like where this was going.  "To get this started, all couples must join."  The song leader sang in a chipperish tone.

Melanie gave Anthony a look.  Like he'd plotted this out.  "What are you doing?"  She muttered, though she had a good idea what he was up to.  Anthony walked over towards her, extending his hand with a small grin.  "Come on Mel..  I'm only following the rules."  He said, giving another wink.  Melanie let out a laugh.  "Since when do you follow rules?"  Her voice sounded cold, though she didn't mean for it to be.  "And we're not a couple!"  She added, realizing what the singer said.  Anthony shrugged.  "That isn't anybody's business whether they think we are or not...  Besides, it's only one dance...  Look..  Here's a deal..  Just one dance..  And I'll never bother you again.."  Anthony pleaded.

"Looks like someone is anxious to get his dancing shoes on!"  The singer called out, noticing Anthony getting up, extending a hand to Melanie.   Melanie turned her head towards the singer. Shaking her head, hoping he'd get the message she wasn't interested.  "Come on little lady.  Get on out there!  Don't leave your man hanging!"  Melanie's face turned more red, as she started receiving attention.  "He's not my man!  And I'm not a little lady!  I'm five eight!"  She shouted so they could hear over the beat the band was playing.  "Yeah Mel..  Don't leave your man hanging." Anthony whispered the words, leaning in towards her.  Melanie whipped her head so she now faced Anthony.  An annoyed look crossed her features.  "You're not my man!"  She hissed. Anthony smirked, finding it rather amusing.  Watching Melanie's reaction.  He decided to push a little further.  Knowing what he was about to say, Melanie couldn't refuse.  "Unless you're scared of a little competition?  Unless you're afraid that you taught me so well that I'd be a better dancer than you."  He kept his voice at a whisper so only Melanie could hear.   "One dance."  Anthony asked again.

Yeah right.  Melanie thought.  She didn't think Anthony would stick to that rule.  "Well those words sound like a challenge mister Clark."  Anthony smirked.  It looked like his tactic worked. He was starting to figure Melanie out a little at a time.  Even if they hadn't hung out a whole lot yet. One thing he learned these past few dates, if someone told her she couldn't do something. Melanie challenged back and proved otherwise.  He kept watch, waiting for her next move. Anthony could see, Melanie was debating whether to accept or not.  After a few more seconds drifted by.  Anthony began getting impatient, and was half tempted to pick her up and throw her over his shoulder.  Until he heard the singer speak up again.  "What's it going to be miss?  Can't wait all night!"  He sing-songed.  Anthony was about to go through with his earlier thought. When Melanie finally spoke.

Melanie let out a small sigh.  Now that the attention was on them, she had no choice.  "Here goes nothing."  She mumbled to herself.  She extended her hand, accepting his offer.  "You want a challenge Clark?  You got one."  She stood ready to make her way out onto the floor, when she heard the singer pitch in again.  "Looks like we finally have a winner folks!  Let's get this party started!"  Melanie looked around noticing they were the only ones going towards the dance floor.  Her eyes darted in Anthony's direction, giving him a glare.  Almost blaming him for this encounter.  Assuming he set this up.  Melanie held up a finger, about ready to say so, when she felt Anthony lift her up into his arms.  Then throw her slightly over his shoulder, before heading to the middle of the dance floor.  She let out a gasp, not expecting him to do so.  As the band started playing Boot Scoot N' Boogie, Melanie struggled to get loose from Anthony's grip.   "Hey!"  Melanie scowled.  "Put me down!  This wasn't called for!"  She began rambling.  Anthony laughed.  "I know, but I still wanted to do it."  He smirked, setting her down once they reached the floor.

Once Anthony set Melanie down, she gave him another small glare.  But all Anthony did was give a shrug in return.  Pretending to look innocent.  "You set this up!"  She hissed.  Anthony chuckled.  "I had nothing to do with this."  He responded, giving Melanie a twirl.  Since she wasn't ready, Melanie stumbled a little.  Anthony managed to get a good grip and steady her, so she wouldn't fall.  Melanie scrunched up her nose.   About ready to say her thoughts out loud. When Anthony spun her around again.   Twirling her twice before pulling Melanie closer to him. This time, Melanie was ready.  And her feet worked in sync to the stepping of the twirl.  Coming to a stop when she felt Anthony pull her close to him.  Melanie took a few deep breaths as she glanced up, focusing on Anthony.  "I'm not ready for this!"  She whispered.  Anthony stood there a few moments, studying her close.  "Mel..  It'll be fine, promise."