Deadly Dancing

by Nicolette Pierce

  I gave her my number, thanked her for her time, and hung up.

  So, Levi is not Levi but possibly Nick instead. I puffed out a breath. I had a feeling I might need to keep a journal of the growing number of stage names. No, because once I get this all straightened out, he’ll be out of my life.

  I guess I can understand the need for a stage name to protect his identity. It irked me, though. I don’t like getting lied to. There was something about Levi-Nick. I’m not sure how exotic dancers normally act, but he sensed things. He was aware of himself and his surroundings.

  I reached for my phone to call the florist with an order just as my phone extension rang.

  “Mars Cannon. How may I help you?” I asked.

  “Hungry?” Levi-Nick purred.

  An instant flash of heat sizzled through me as I recognized his voice. “Don’t start that again!”

  He chuckled. “Actually, I want to take you out to dinner tonight.”

  I thought about the offer. I was going to starve otherwise. My cupboards were bare, and he did take my last twenty dollars. Okay, he didn’t take it. But he made me momentarily daffy, and I gave him the twenty. So, in essence, he did take it.

  “Are you still there?” he asked.

  “Yes, I was just thinking.”

  “Can’t trust yourself to keep your hands off me, can you?”

  “Don’t worry about my hands, worry about your own,” I retorted. “I’ll go to dinner if you tell me your real name. Annie told me your name was Nick.”

  “When did you talk to her?”

  “A few minutes before you called,” I said. “I told her to give you a message. Didn’t you get it?”

  “No.” He sounded confused.

  “Oh, she must not have phoned you in time. How did you know to call me?”

  “I was dreaming about you and your soft, full lips all day yesterday. Did you think I’d let you leave after our little kiss without getting your information?”

  “I sure as heck didn’t give you my phone number.”

  “A minor technicality,” he said. “When should I pick you up?”

  I wasn’t about to give him my address. “I’ll meet you at For Pete’s Sake at six.”

  “Don’t trust me to take you home, huh?”

  “I trust you’d take me home, but I don’t trust that I could get you to leave,” I said and hung up.

  Damn, I still didn’t know his name, and I didn’t tell him about the creepy town car guys.

  * * *

  I worked steadily until knots formed in my neck. I hated working behind a desk, but some work required one. I stood and grabbed my purse. I’ll head down to the florist instead of calling in my order. It’d be nice to see the flowers anyway. Flowers make me happy. What can I say? I’m a simple woman with simple needs.

  I drove my car to Flower Power. I’ve driven there so many times my car was nearly on automatic pilot. I normally send my business to them because they’re creative and always have fresh, beautiful flowers.

  It’s been owned by a mother and daughter for decades. The mother, Gloria, is in her seventies and is an original flower child from the sixties. She has long silver hair that she braids with flowers. She wears colorful, flowing clothes. Even though she has remained a flower child her whole life, she doesn’t seem stuck in the past, just accentuated by it.

  Her daughter, Willow, doesn’t have the loud wardrobe or demeanor of her mother. She has a wistful way about her that calms even the most agitated client. The grandson, Kirby, is the delivery driver. His favorite hobby is getting stoned—Kirby excels at that.

  “Mars!” Gloria exclaimed. “I always love when you come to visit us. Willow,” she called to the back room. “Mars is here. Bring her some tea. We can sit down and chat.”

  Gloria’s hair was decorated with dandelions today. She looked like a cute little grandma in a time warp. Her love beads rattled together as she shuffled to the back.

  “Willow, are you there?” she asked. When there wasn’t an answer, Gloria pondered for a moment. A spark of realization lit up her face. “Doggone, I forgot she left for the flower wholesale market today. We’ll have to get along without her.”

  Gloria shuffled to the back room and poured two cups of herbal tea. She carefully handed me a cup, and we took a seat at a rickety round table painted yellow with a kaleidoscope of iridescent colors swirling together. Books were scattered about, mostly titles about flowers.

  I picked one up and leafed through it, trying to get ideas. I needed flowers for the Madison Ladies’ luncheon that was being held next week. These ladies had serious money, but they also had nimble fingers that liked to take home any trinkets they could get their hands on. I stopped on a page with bright gerbera daisies that would be perfect for fun wristlets. I could attach them to rolled cloth napkins. The ladies could wear them and take them home at the end of the event.

  I pointed to the picture in the book. “I want these daisies made into wristlets.”

  “Great, I’ll see if we can get those at the market,” she said. “How many do you need?”

  “There are thirty-four ladies. So, why don’t you give me thirty-eight to be on the safe side.”

  “Far out,” she said, not as an exclamation but more as an acknowledgement.

  “I’ll also need flowers for a dinner on Friday.”

  “So soon?”

  “Yes, I just found out about it. It’s for seventy-five guests. Just make fourteen centerpieces for the tables. Whatever flowers you can get by then will be fine.”

  “Sure, I can dig it,” she said.

  I suppressed a smile. She might have been a hip, groovy lady in her time, but now she was just adorable. If I had any auntie skills, I’d have pinched her cheeks.

  “Willow and Kirby will be sorry to have missed you,” she said as I stood to leave.

  “Give them my best. I’m sure I’ll be back soon. I always see Kirby for delivery of the flowers.”

  “Kirby says you’re ‘heavy.’”

  “Ah, okay. Tell him thanks,” I said, stepping outside with a little wave to Gloria. Did I just get insulted or complimented? I smiled. It didn’t matter. Someday I will have to ask Gloria more about her past.

  My next stop was the jewelry store. Jonathan’s going to throw darts at me when I tell him what I want.

  I pulled in front of the store and hopped out. Through the store window I could see Mr. Jonathan Alexander cleaning the cases. He looked at me with a smile; dollar signs registered in eyes.

  “Mars!” he cried as I walked in the door. “I’ve missed you. Tell me you’re here to buy some ridiculous amount of expensive jewelry.”

  “Yes, but don’t go crazy on the expensive part.”

  “Do tell,” he said, clasping his hands together with excitement.

  “I’m here to buy seventy-five heart-shaped lockets, but I need them by Thursday for a dinner on Friday.”

  His jaw dropped and his hands fell to his side.

  “Mars, I can’t get an order here that fast,” he said.

  “I would have given you more time, but I just found out about the party today.”

  “If I had another week, I could do it for sure.”

  “I know,” I said. “Listen, try your best to get them to me by Thursday with an engraving on each one, and I’ll make sure everyone knows they came from your store.”

  His eyes dilated and his hands clasped together again. “I can’t make any promises,” he said.

  I handed him a piece of notepaper with the engraving detail. I’d have to call the Stevensons’ children to find old photos of the anniversary couple so they can be placed into the lockets.

  It’d be a royal pain in the behind, but I get mushy when it comes to people in love, especially if they’ve been married for half of a century. It’s the type of life most people dream about. Finding that special someone and living a lifetime together; it’s a beautiful thing.

  My stomach growled. I put my hand on it to quiet it d
own. I needed food. I had no money and my only credit card was maxed out so I couldn’t even use that. I should’ve asked for an advance on my pay, but then Jocelyn would have scoffed at me and made a big deal about how she was saving me from starvation. I’d rather starve.

  * * *

  My cell phone rang as I pulled into my driveway.

  “Hi, Mars,” Kym said.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m alive, but I’m still suffering the side effects. It was worth it, though. From what I can remember, I had fun.”

  “From what I can remember, you had way too much fun.”

  She laughed. “I wanted to make sure you remember to go to the bridal shop tomorrow for your final fitting. It’s at two o’clock; don’t be late.”

  “It’s on my calendar. I promise I won’t miss it,” I reassured her.

  “Good. And remember, you said you’d come over to my house afterward so we can work on the wedding favors.”

  “Of course!” I said with a little too much enthusiasm. I actually had forgotten. Kym knows me too well; it’s scary. Why she picked me for maid of honor, I have no idea. I wouldn’t even want me for a maid of honor.

  “So, tell me something new,” she said.

  “Well, I’m going on a date tonight and, unless I’m delusional, I’m being stalked and threatened by one or possibly two different people.”

  “Oh, this is going to be good. Tell me everything and don’t leave out details!”

  “Well, two guys seem to be looking for that dancer from Saturday. He told me his name was Levi, but now I’ve been told it’s Nick. He called me today and wants to have dinner.” I thought back. “Yesterday, I found a note on my car to stay away from him. I’m assuming it meant Nick. The only other person who’s taken an interest in me is Evan, but that’s harmless flirting.”

  “Oh, I’m all tingly. It’s like a James Bond film!”

  “It’s not like a James Bond film at all. You can trade places with me any day.”

  “We’ll have to try that someday.” She giggled. “But you should be careful. I wouldn’t say it’s harmless flirting with Evan. There are a lot of girls head over heels for him. I’m sure they’d tell you to back off their man.”

  “I see the guy occasionally at events. We flirt, but that’s it. There’s never any physical contact.” Well, that had been the case until he pulled me against his truck on Saturday.

  “I know it and you know it, but they don’t know it. It’s almost a game for Evan, and it’s going to bite him in the ass. I’m sure he has plenty of women looking to get even, and some may be under the impression he is exclusive with them.”

  “Evan doesn’t ever give the impression of being exclusive. From what I’ve witnessed, women are well aware of his stance. If it is about Evan, it shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t have any events with him until next month. Hopefully, everything will cool down by then.”

  “I hope so,” she said.

  We hung up, and I stared into my closet, contemplating what to wear tonight. Men have it so easy. Levi-Nick can reach into his closet and pull out a shirt or pants at random and they’d probably be perfect. Women have to slave over their wardrobe, hair, and makeup.

  I picked out a little red dress that fit snuggly on top and had a bouncy short skirt. I pulled out my red three-inch heels.

  I had no idea what to do with my hair. The change in the weather was making my normally straight hair curl into frizzy corkscrews. I pulled it up and gathered it in a clip, adding a few bobby pins to hold it in place. A few curls let loose right away. I applied a small amount of makeup. Done.

  My stomach fluttered. I wasn’t sure if it was because of hunger or Nick.

  I grabbed a sheer black scarf in case I needed a layer around my shoulders later. I imagined Nick’s hands on my shoulders instead and flushed. I’d definitely prefer his hands to a scarf.

  I snatched my keys from the end table and headed out.

  Mrs. Janowski was outside on her porch. Her hands were tightly wrapped around a large pair of binoculars that she was spying through.

  “Hi, Mars! Looks like you have a humdinger of a date tonight.”

  “Yes,” I called to her. “I’m heading out now.”

  “Have a good time, dear. And don’t worry about a thing. I have the street under surveillance tonight.”

  Bad guys beware!

  Chapter 5

  Nick was leaned up against the side of the building waiting for me.

  “You look surly when you lean against walls,” I said.

  Nick gazed at me with carnivorous eyes that made me afraid he could see right through my clothes. “I only look that way because I was wondering what I’d do if you stood me up.”

  “I don’t believe you for a second. You looked that way on Saturday, too,” I said. “I’m only a few minutes late.”

  “The longest few minutes of my life,” he said as he looked into my eyes and did an appreciative glance downward. He took a curl from my hair and gently touched it.

  “Should we go in?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m starving.”

  We strolled into For Pete’s Sake. It’s a modern restaurant with a throwback to a Bohemian style. My friends Pete and Angela owned it. They were high school sweethearts and had taken culinary classes together through college. I reasoned that if I brought Nick here and he turned into a creep, I’d have friends to turn to.

  “Mars!” Angela exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were coming in tonight.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t call. Can you squeeze us in?”

  “Of course I can. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?” She smiled and took a peek over my shoulder at Nick. “Party of two, I see,” she said.

  “Yes,” I hissed in her ear. “And keep it on the down low.”

  “Hmpf,” she responded. “Right this way.”

  Nick and I followed her through the restaurant until we stood in front of a teeny-tiny couple’s booth that was slightly secluded from the main dining room.

  “Is this all you have?” I nudged her.

  “You didn’t make a reservation, and this is all I have,” she said.

  I scanned the restaurant to see a dozen empty tables. I slid a narrow eye to her.

  “This is perfect,” Nick said.

  I looked at him then at Angela. My face bloomed.

  “I’ll leave you two alone.” Angela smirked and ran off.

  “Will you fit in this booth?” I asked.

  “We’ll see.”

  It took a little maneuvering, but we were able to wedge in. His long legs took up all the space under the table, so he pulled my legs on top of his lap.

  “This is ridiculous,” I said, fidgeting in my seat. “Angela did this on purpose.”

  “She’s my new favorite person.”

  “We can go somewhere else, or I can find Pete and he’ll move us.”

  “Don’t you dare,” he said.

  I huffed and squirmed until I positioned myself so I was at least a little more comfortable. Nick just sat back calmly. It didn’t seem like anything could bother him.

  He slipped the shoes off my feet, letting them fall to the floor. My stomach plummeted with the shoes.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “You seem tense.”

  His thumb dug into a pressure point in the instep of my foot. God, his hands were like magic. My insides turned to goo. I gradually relaxed.

  “Hi-yah!” Pete called as he walked over.

  At the sound of his voice, my knee jarred, crashing into the underside of the table.

  “Ow,” I whimpered and rubbed my knee.

  “I didn’t know you were coming to see us tonight,” Pete said.

  Pete was dressed in his chef uniform and looked a little disheveled from working in the kitchen, but not nearly disheveled as I was at the moment.

  “Whoa, what’s this? Did Angela put you here?” His eyebrow arched.

  I gave him a look that t
old him he was the biggest moron. “What do you think?”

  He gave a knowing nod. “I’d tell you to move to a different table, but Angela would kill me. She loves it when she can stuff people back here. She’s all into matchmaking right now,” he said. “You can move to a different table, but it didn’t come from me. I’ll deny ever saying it.”

  “We’re stuck in here now. Just make sure we aren’t still here when you close up,” I said.

  “Sure.” He nodded and gave me a friendly kiss on the cheek. He extended his hand to Nick. “I’m Pete."

  “Nice to meet you,” Nick said, shaking his hand. “I’m Chance.”

  Pete’s face lit up and he snapped his fingers. “A-ha! I know just what I’m going to make for you two.” Pete turned and left for the kitchen.

  “I take it we don’t order food here,” Nick said.

  “Chance?”

  “What?” He grinned. “It’s not a bad name. I use it onstage sometimes. Chance Encounters has a ring to it. Kind of like destiny.”

  “That’s it! If you can’t tell me your real name, then you’re not worth my time.”

  I tried to move my feet wedged between his legs and the table. The man with three names sat contently, watching me struggle. I twisted my body to pull myself out. His hands wrapped around my waist, bringing me back before I could free myself.

  “Calm down. Just hear me out before you run off.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms.

  “Don’t pout. It makes you look irresistible.”

  “I’m not pouting,” I said. Okay, I was pouting, dammit.

  “Listen,” Nick drew my hand across the table, “there are some circumstances preventing me from telling you. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I really can’t tell you.”

  I made a move to leave again.

  “Wait,” he sighed, “I can see this is going to be a problem for you. All I’m asking is that you trust me for the rest of the week. I should be able to tell you by then.”

  I eyed him suspiciously. “What am I supposed to call you?” I asked. “I now have three names for you, and I don’t like any of them.”