Page 55 of Outcast’s Return

“This is something Fabien and I must figure out,” I say.

Elise nods again.

“Yeah. I see it. I love the bastard, but even I can understand that Clement’s not the best at dealing with his... possessiveness. Okay, I won’t tell him a word, Jolie. You can trust me.”

“Thank you, Elise.”

“We’re always here for you, Jolie,” Sylvie says.

“Yep, we are,” Elise adds.

“Whatever you want us to do, Jolie. We can put our heads together and help you figure out a loophole.”

“Tonight, I just want to forget about Fabien and the stupid Order,” I explain. “I want to dance and not think about anything else.”

“You’ve got it,” Sylvie winks.

Without waiting for permission, she grabs both my arm and Elise’s and takes us to the dance floor.

And we dance.

We let ourselves be free. We hold hands and giggle and forget about all our problems and stresses. We move to the music and surrender to the beat.

It feels so good, dancing with my friends. I love the love that exists between us and the overwhelming feeling that, no matter what, we’re here for each other.

“You want a drink?” Elise asks me, having to shout in my ear to be heard over the music. “Sylvie and I are going to the bar.”

“I’m okay,” I reply. “I’m going to stay here and keep dancing.”

Elise flashes me a thumbs-up.

And I continue to dance on my own. I’m in a flow state. I’ve loosened up and forgotten all about tomorrow. This is what I wanted tonight.

A man starts dancing near me. I’m guessing he’s in his early thirties. Handsome. I can’t help but notice he’s good. He’s got rhythm and style. He looks at me and laughs breezily. I laugh too. He’s confident, which I like. But I’m in no way attracted to him. We’re all just dancing here.

But then he reaches out and puts his hands on my hips. This is not what I signed up for.

I shake my head at him in a friendly but back-off kind of way.

He pulls back.

But then, a few beats later, his hands are back on my hips.

“No,” I tell him, loud enough to be heard over the beat.

The man frowns, as if he doesn’t understand the word.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“Leave me alone. I’m waiting for my friends.”

“Your friends aren’t here.”

I grab hold of his hand, tight.

“Let go of me.”

“I’m just trying to have fun.”