The Jump

9 Let's Dance - Part 2

Lucinda continued to move her hips and sway by herself to the music as everyone around her spun to the salsa music. A few times Hector even gave her a spin and then passed her off to Chuck so he could spin her too while Emma and Isabel clapped along happily. Then they both went back to their wives and she continued to dance alone until she spotted Annie weaving her way toward her. Her eyes widened as she took in the woman's old Hollywood wavy hairdo, golden halter dress and red lipstick. Annie was already the kind of woman who turned heads simply because of her height and unusual features, but glammed up for a party she was breath taking.

"Long time no see." Annie leaned in while shouting over the music. "You look great!"

"Thanks," Lucinda replied and motioned to her. "You look stunning! Gold is a lovely color on you."

"Thanks, it's from Rodrigo." She beamed as she smoothed down the dress. "Feel like getting air? It's become uncomfortably hot in here."

"Sure!"

They both squeezed out of the crowd of dancing guests and made their way to the front sitting area. Annie grabbed two champagne flutes from a waiter and then plopped down on one of the pillowy, oversized chairs. Lucinda did the same and then took one of the drinks from Annie.

"Having fun so far?" Annie asked as she fanned herself.

"Yes!" Lucinda gushed.

"Good, but try saving some of your energy cause this party is likely to last into the wee hours. I overheard Hector saying he was going to party till he drops."

Lucinda glanced over her shoulder as a tall man with thick rimmed glasses wearing a grey suit walked into the sitting room. Behind him trailed a younger looking man, who appeared to be Lucinda's age. He was attractive in a clean business way, with a crisp tailored suit, perfectly quaffed hair, and a jawline with the right amount of stubble on it... in a way he reminded her of her ex. Lucinda's stomach flipped at the sight of him and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not.

"There you are darling!"

The man with the glasses squeezed in next to Annie and she shifted her long legs so that she was partially on his lap as they shared the chair. The younger man sunk down into the seat opposite of Lucinda with a tumbler glass of whiskey in one hand and a cigar in the other.

"Lucinda, this is my boyfriend, Loris." Annie smiled as she snuggled into the man with glasses. He hooked his arm around her shoulder, hugging her proudly.

"Greetings," he said with an English accent and then motioned to the younger man. "And this is Tanner, a colleague of mine."

Tanner, the man Emma had wanted her to meet and there he was right in front of her... coincidence?

"They're real estate agents," Annie added as she rubbed her hand over Loris's knee, lovingly. "In fact that's how we met. Loris helped me find my boutique and we've been attached at the hip ever since."

"Can you blame me, Lucinda? Annie is the most extraordinary woman I've ever met," he said, caressing small circles into Annie's shoulder with his thumb.

"Well, you two make a handsome couple." Lucinda smiled.

"Thanks," Loris grinned as he leaned in to plant a kiss on Annie's temple.

"They do that a lot." Tanner sighed as if he had been witness to their canoodling way too many times. "I'd like to say you get used to their PDA, but not really."

"One day you'll find your soulmate, I promise." Loris directed to Tanner.

"I hope so..." he replied, taking a sip from his whiskey and eyeing Lucinda.