Free Playing For Keeps by Deborah Fletcher Mello

check out your establishment.”
    He chuckled. “And I thought you were just here to see me.”
    Cilla tossed a quick glance over her shoulder. “Had I known I was going to cause all this commotion I might not have come all.”
    Malcolm leaned back in his seat. He looked toward the bar and around the room. Romeo, Odetta, Sharon, and Leslie were huddled together in front of the bar, each of them stealing glances in their direction. He blew a deep sigh, his brow furrowed. Before he could comment Bianca cleared her throat, pretending to cough to draw their attention.
    Cilla shook her head as she gestured in the woman’s direction. “Malcolm, this is my friend Bianca. Bianca, this is my friend Malcolm.”
    â€œIt’s very nice to meet you,” Bianca said, extending her hand toward him. Her smile was bright and just shy of comedic.
    He shook the appendage, noting her firm grip and soft hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, too.”
    â€œI’ve heard a lot about you.”
    â€œPlease, don’t hold it against me. You can’t believe everything you might have been told.”
    Bianca smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. So, my friend here was telling me that you . . .”
    Cilla suddenly held up her hand to stall her friend’s comment. “We are not going to do this. You are not going to interrogate Malcolm with your twenty questions.”
    Malcolm chuckled warmly.
    â€œI was just trying to get to know your boyfriend,” Bianca quipped.
    Cilla shook her head. “You don’t need to know him.” She stood up abruptly and stretched her hand out to Malcolm. “I would really like to dance,” she said, her eyes wide.
    With a full smile Malcolm nodded and moved onto his feet. Amusement flickered across his face as he tossed Bianca a look and shrugged his broad shoulders. He entwined his fingers between Cilla’s and allowed her to guide him to the hardwood floors that surrounded the stage. Bianca made a face at them both as she gestured for their waitress and another drink.
    Norah Jones was singing “Come Away with Me.” The song was soft and seductive, the musical intonation absolutely irresistible. Only a handful of couples were on the floor, bodies pulled so tightly that in the dimly lit room it was almost difficult to see where one began and the other ended. Around the room others shuffled and shimmied in their seats.
    They would have been better able to take the attention off them in a crowd than standing alone in the center of the floor with only three other couples, but neither seemed to notice. Cilla spun herself against Malcolm’s body, looping her thin arms around his neck as she tucked her forehead beneath his chin. As she did he wrapped his arms around her torso and pulled her even closer. One large hand pressed hot against the curve of her lower back, his fingers grazing the round of her backside. The other hand snaked around her body to that spot between her shoulder blades. Everything about their connection was heated as they began to glide against each other.
    Across the way Odetta dropped down into the seat Cilla had vacated. She and Bianca exchanged a look with each other. Odetta smiled.
    â€œMy boy Malcolm’s a good guy. A really good guy. She bet’ not break his heart.”
    Bianca nodded. “Cilla’s my sister and she’s probably too good for him. So if he hurts her, I will hurt him.”
    Odetta winked an eye at the woman. “Glad we could come to an understanding.”
    Bianca laughed. Her stare drifted back to the dance floor. “Looks like them two might work out all right.”
    â€œWe might have to intervene every now and again but I think so. I think they look good together.”
    â€œMe, too,” Bianca said in agreement. “Almost too good they’re so cute.”
    Odetta chuckled. “Boss man said your drinks are on the house. Can I get you