Free A Note From an Old Acquaintance by Bill Walker Page B

yourself credit for.”
    “I appreciate that, but you’ve never read a word I’ve written.”
    Brian felt her hand on his. “I don’t have to,” she said, her smile finally returning.
    He was about to reply when a cocktail waitress approached. “You guys need anything?” she asked.
    “Uh, not for me.” He turned to Joanna. “You?”
    “No, I’m fine.”
    The waitress left and Brian realized that all the tables around them had filled up. “How about that dance, now? You game?”
    “I’d love to,” she said.
    They stood, leaving their drinks. Brian took her hand and led the way back up to the dance floor. It seemed less crowded than it had been a while before. The music changed. Brian recognized it as “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees. Joanna started moving, and Brian did his best to keep up. And even though he despised Disco and everything it signified, he found himself getting lost in the rhythm, his body making moves he’d never thought himself capable. And watching Joanna was like watching music incarnate.
    He moved closer to her and she reciprocated. They each aped the other’s movements, unconsciously synchronizing their choreography. Suddenly feeling overheated, Brian removed the motorcycle jacket and began using it as an impromptu dance partner. Joanna threw back her head, laughing. Brian grinned, knowing he looked silly and not giving a damn whatsoever. All he knew was that he wanted to get to know this terrific woman better.
    No time like the present, Weller, no time like the present.
    “Would you like to go out sometime?” he yelled, hoping she could hear him over the crushing din.
    “Sure, but I’ll have to get rid of my fiancé first.”
    Brian missed a step, nearly tripping himself. He studied her face, trying to discern if she’d been joking. Fiancé? She was freaking engaged? It figured he’d meet someone wonderful like her and she’d be taken. But where was her ring? When they were talking at the table he’d noticed her left hand was devoid of any jewelry. Christ, Weller, maybe the guy hadn’t sprung for the rock yet. But even as all this rushed through his mind, she continued smiling at him and Brian realized it didn’t matter. He wanted Joanna—wanted her as he’d never wanted anyone or anything else in his life. If she wanted to be with him, too, so be it. After all, she wasn’t married yet. Let her worry about her fiancé.
     

     
    “Who’s that dancing with Joanna?” Ruby said, draining his martini. He lounged next to Nick on a long black leather sofa to the right of the bar, a quiet, desperate anger smoldering in his gut like the embers of a dying fire. He hated parties like these, tolerating them only because he knew they were good for business; but he should have left Joanna at home. That way, he’d at least be able to relax and enjoy himself—wouldn’t have to worry about every two-bit lothario who made eyes at her. Problem was he could never refuse her. And she so loved to dance, which was fine, as long as it was with Marcia, her best friend. Now, though, it was a different story.... “Did you hear me, Nick?”
    Nick sipped his drink and shrugged. “He’s just a friend. Nobody special.”
    Erik Ruby gazed across the dance floor, his dark eyes narrowing, and watched his young bride-to-be laughing at this “nobody special” swinging his leather jacket around like some bargain basement Fred Astaire.
    A cocktail waitress approached, placing a fresh martini on the low table in front of the sofa. She was a tall busty blonde with all the right curves, and made it plain with her knowing look that more than drinks were available. She was certainly easy on the eye.
    He reached into his Armani jacket and pulled out his wallet, handing the girl a crisp fifty. Her eyes bugged out. “Thank you, Mr. Ruby.”
    Ruby’s mouth split into an indulgent grin, capped teeth gleaming. “You deserve it, Honey. Just don’t spend it all in one place.”
    He waited until the girl