Dancing With A Stranger (GH Series Book 3)

Mutual attraction?

Ollie

I have been keeping my head down for a couple of weeks now and Polly and I have only had to cross paths a couple of times thanks to some amazing scheduling. "So, you don't mind locking up tonight? I know you plan to head out to the club for the big bash like the rest of us."

"I honestly don't mind Callie, it's only another hour anyway and I brought a change of clothes with me."

"Well, I've done the final checks and only Carmen is in the gym, so you don't have to let anyone else in, I will just put the closed sign up."

"Okay. I will probably just go into the side hall and check the equipment is good for my next class."

"See you at the club later then." Watching Callie lock up and giving me a wave, I went to check on the gym user. She was pounding the gym bag hard and clearly in the zone, so I went off to the studio to check the equipment. Although I knew that the equipment would be fine, I want to release what was flowing through my veins. I knew what song I wanted to play and pulled out the speaker to hook up my phone. I done my warm-up and then I knew I was ready.

***

Carmen

I looked up at the clock and realised I was probably keep the staff back tonight so wiped down the equipment I was using and then made my way to the changing area. Except I was stopped in my tracks with music blasting out of one of the side rooms. There, I noticed one of the staff members stretching out and getting into the zone. I quirked my eyebrow at the song selection, I don't wanna know by Mario Winans.

Then I was blown away by the red head beauty. She danced around the studio, with amazing skills. Her hair was tied back, her baseball cap on backwards, popping and locking to the song and her feet moved swiftly along the floor. I remained watching her until the song finished when she stopped dancing, she noticed me at the doorway. "Sorry. Did you need help?"

"Not at all. You have some pretty amazing dance moves there...uhm sorry what's your name?"

"Olivia. But I tend to go by Ollie."

"I'm Carmen." She then gave me a wry smile.

"I know, Callie told me."

"Yeah, she probably did. Can I suggest something to you?"

"With?"

"One of your dance moves." I hope I'm not offending the woman, it's the last thing I want to do.

"Sure. I am open to suggestions."

"Well, when you done this..." I repeated her dance moves. "Your shoulders slouched a little, bring them back up and when you pop, your chest will look, well excuse me when I say this, pop more." Ollie looked as though she was contemplating my advice, so I was grateful that she didn't take it the wrong way.

"Yeah? Thanks for the advice. The song got into my head at that point. Not a place that many want to journey into."

"Never let your personal demons get the better of your movements."

"Says the boxer who's left jab looked a little weak earlier." I smiled. I hadn't even seen her come into the gym to check on me but at least she has some banter in her.

"Touché."

"But thank you for the advice. Wouldn't look good if I can't teach my classes properly."

"Can I ask you something though?" Ollie looked at me and nodded her head slowly. "Why that song?"

"Ah...well let's just say personal dealings of the same shit but I broke free a few weeks ago."

"I hear ya. But use your heartbreak to bring your dancing in to the light."

"I will, thank you Carmen." Ollie, despite dancing to her heartbreak, seemed like a lost soul and let's face it, there are a lot of lost souls out there in this world. All of a sudden, I had the urge to protect her, not sure why.

"So, whoever broke your heart, clearly didn't deserve you."

"Sweet of you to say considering you don't really know me."

"You seem nice Olivia."

"Ollie..."

"Nah... I like Olivia better, makes you a sound a little sultrier." What the fuck am I doing flirting with her. She's probably not even gay. My gaydar usually sucks big time. We left the studio and started to walk to the changing room together.

"Thanks...but you have less than forty-five minutes to get showered and changed. I'm gonna hit the showers myself and get changed into my party gear."

"No worries."

"The buildings locked, so if you are done before me, you will need to wait in reception before I can let you out." I nodded my head and proceeded to grab my towel and head to the shower.

***

"Wow." My mouth went dry when Olivia made an appearance into the reception area of the gym. She looked at absolutely stunning. She gave me a quizzical look at my short statement of admiration of the woman before me. "Whoever you are trying to impress at the party you are going to, is on to a winner."

"This thing? It's an oldie." Oldie... well fuck me sideways. A stunning off the shoulder red dress with her knee on show, her luscious locks, whoever she is impressing tonight, I'm in the queue.

"That doesn't matter. You look amazing."

"Thanks Carmen. Are you ready to go?"

"I am. Have a great night Olivia."

"I will, thanks Carmen."

Ollie

I locked up the gym and got into the taxi. Like I was going to walk to the club in my heels. I couldn't help wondering if Carmen was flirting with me or not, I was undecided. But she is kind of cool, mysterious also. Anyway, almost at the club and it looks as though the regular crew is here. Searching the crowd, I spot Callie and Ashley and signal to them if they want a drink, both shook their heads showing that they had just got drinks.

I ordered my drink at the bar and had a look around, but no one was capturing my eye. Several drinks later, I feel chilled and as I looked up, this incredible body was walking through the crowd. A blonde bombshell that looked like she was wearing pants that Sandy did in Grease when she was wooing Danny but with that she is wearing a biker jacket with orange, red and white stripes down the sleeves and under that jacket, well I would describe it as a blacks sports bra, others would probably say it was a crop top.

In that instant, my mouth went dry and as I looked the gorgeous body from the bottom right to the top and then I felt stunned. I should have realised that the body was one I already know, well in a way. "Are you okay. You are almost salivating there, Ollie."

"Uhm, yeah, I'm good."

Callie looked over in the direction that my eye was roving over one fit body. "Ah. Spotted."

"I... really shouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Because Callie...she is a member of your gym, I'm staff, I don't want to jeopardise my job or your business."

"There is no written rule Ollie...plus, you have to admit, Carmen is looking mighty hot."

"Yeah she is. She is right up my street..."

"Then what have you got to lose. Just go and say hello." Callie gave me a nudge and I walked over in Carmen's direction. She still hadn't been served and I touched her elbow and she spun around.

"Allow me."

"Olivia, hey. So, this is the party you were talking about then?"

"It was, yeah." The bar tender came over and took our order and whilst waiting on our drinks we made small talk. I needed a distraction from being super attracted to Carmen and I think I've spotted an old dance partner. Maybe dancing with a stranger in front of Carmen would make her notice me. Even if it is my ex dance partner.