Shimmy for Me: A Novella (California Belly Dance Romance Series Book 1)
Page 10
Instinctively, Melanie shook her head. She didn’t know what was brewing beneath that brunette ponytail, but she knew that devious look. She knew that tone.
Abby continued. “If she were getting something in return, she’d be motivated to make it convincing.”
Taz looked curious, or confused, it was hard to say which. “Something like what?”
Crap. Melanie’s heart raced, her palms burned. She would have run for it if there wasn’t an obstacle course of boxes between her and the door.
“I was just thinking that Melanie here…”
“Oh no,” Melanie groaned aloud. “You are not going to do this. Not now.” She stared at her friend, hard and with what she hoped was threatening malice.
Abby ignored the protest. “Melanie,” she repeated emphatically, “is planning to audition for the Divas next month. And I’m sure it would be a big help to have someone who knows the ropes offer a little coaching beforehand. Would you consider that a fair trade?”
Melanie glanced around at the cash register, the scarves, the jewelry display, looking for something to hurl at her friend to end this embarrassment. Instead, she hurled her words. “Honestly, you can’t expect him… Or me… Or—”
“Hold on.” Taz cocked his head and stared at Melanie. “If you’re serious, you’d be kind of perfect. My sister would hate you.”
“Hey,” Melanie cried. “You don’t have to be mean.”
He threw his hands up in defense. “I’m not. I mean it in the best possible way. It’s just those tattoos. She can’t stand them, especially on women. If I know her, she’ll back off the minute she sees you. I think it might work.”
“But what about the coaching?” Abby piped in.
“I can’t promise you a spot, or anything,” he said. “But I’ve seen what Garrett and his choreographers tend to like and what they don’t.”
Abby’s face could hardly contain her grin. “What do you think, Melanie? You’ll do it, right?”
Was she serious? They both seemed to think this stupid scheme could work.
Taz turned to her with a big, goofy grin. “C’mon, Melanie,” he cooed. “Wanna be my pretend girlfriend?”
***
“Dance with Me”
By DeAnna Cameron
Coming Summer 2015
Visit http://www.DeAnnaCameron.com for the latest update.