Free Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer

his chest than he usually did with his dance partners. “I’m not gonna tell you how much I enjoyed seeing you onstage. And I promise: no probing questions—at least not till later,” he teased.
    Her perfect red lips spread into a grin. “You could ask, but that doesn’t mean I’d answer them, reporter .”
    Lanie belted out “Shoo Shoo Baby” like she was one of the Andrews Sisters, and Kenny promenaded Rosalie into the center of the dance floor. Easing her into a Sugar Push, he pulled her to him, then unwound her gently back out, like a yo-yo on a string. She followed effortlessly, her hands gripping his lightly.
    After a few more easy steps, like the Skip Up, Kenny thought he’d try the Lindy hop with Charleston variation. From the regular Charleston, Kenny continued holding her hand and then turned clockwise to come around in an outside turn, so he was in front.
    Then on the first kick move he waited, wondering if she’d be able to follow. As if she’d been dancing with him her whole life, Rosalie did her own clockwise turn and spun around so she was in front, and they kicked their right legs in unison. Cheers rose up from her friends who were watching, and she only glanced over to them for a moment before turning her attention back to him.
    Kenny squeezed her hand tighter as they continued the move two more times.
    As the song wound down, Rosalie spun to face him. Her eyebrows flicked upward. “Is that all ya got?” She smirked.
    Laughter burst from his lips at her unexpected challenge. Noting the determination of her chin, he imagined she had the same expression as she riveted, especially today as she had worked toward the record. The music kicked up again in a fast number.
    “You want more?” he called over the tune. “I’ll show you more.” He pulled her to him, dipped his shoulder, and turned. He expected to surprise her, but she rolled over his back with grace.
    “Whew!” she hooted as she landed.
    Without a pause, Kenny swung her into a sidecar, her legs kicking first to his left, then right. “You wanna flip?”
    Without bothering to reply, Rosalie hurled herself forward, coiling around his arm. She landed on both feet with a Well, hotshot , what else have you got? glimmer in her eyes.
    “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” Rosalie’s cheeks were flushed, and her eyes gleamed. “You’re not so bad.”
    Kenny rolled her to him, their bodies tight as their feet shuffled in rhythm beneath them. For an instant, he felt dizzy from all their spinning and twirling. Or was it the scent of her perfume?
    As they glided past the stage, he caught a glimpse of Nick’s amused grin, and Kenny knew his friend was relishing the prospect of razzing his smooth dance moves.
    Kenny tried to think of something witty to say. He wanted to tease Rosalie—to joke in the easy way Nick would. But his mind couldn’t get beyond the joy of just dancing with her.
    Together, Kenny and Rosalie swung, jumped, and flew around the dance floor until the music wound down once again. Kenny glanced at his watch. To his astonishment, an hour had passed. The woman was tireless, and he loved every minute of it.
    Finally, the band left the stage for their break. The other couples who’d been dancing moved toward the tables and booths, but Kenny remained, trying to catch his breath. He leaned over, hands to knees, panting.
    “Uncle!” he managed to say between breaths.
    “That’s what I like to hear,” she said, fanning her flushed face with her hand.
    He gazed up at Rosalie, and it was more than the stage lights haloing her head that convinced him he needed to spend more time with her. Someone put a nickel in the jukebox, and “Hello Young Lovers” wound itself around the room as the lights dimmed.
    Rosalie leaned over him, moving her face closer and chuckling as he again tried to catch his breath. “Worn out, huh?”
    Kenny nodded as he straightened, noticing Nick leading Lanie by the hand onto the dance floor,