"Dance is the hidden language of the soul." - Martha Graham

Katerina

The lingering taste of chocolate ganache and the warmth of Ethan's smile were still fresh in my mind as I unlocked my apartment door. Our afternoon at "A Bite of Heaven" had been… unexpectedly delightful. He was so easy to talk to, so genuine. There was a comfort between us that felt… natural. Like we'd known each other for longer than just a few hours. And he was handsome. So handsome. That smile, those kind eyes… I shook my head, trying to banish the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Focus, Katerina. This is just a fun night out. There is no need to overthink it. But even as I told myself that, a thrill of anticipation was building inside me. Tonight was going to be special.

I let Maximus out for a quick run in the backyard. He chased a rogue firefly, his little bark echoing in the quiet of the evening. "You're going to have to hold down the fort tonight, buddy," I told him, scratching him behind the ears. He whined in response, his big brown eyes pleading. "I know, I know. But it's a grown-up party. Too loud, too crowded. You'd be much happier here, with your squeaky toys and your comfy bed."

He seemed to understand, or maybe he was just resigned to his fate. He gave a final, half-hearted chase after the firefly before trotting back inside, tail drooping slightly.

Inside, my apartment was a sanctuary of calm compared to the frenetic energy I knew the club would soon be filled with. I put on some soft jazz music, the mellow tones of a saxophone filling the air. It was the perfect soundtrack for getting ready, something smooth and relaxing. I poured myself a glass of wine. Just a small one since I planned on drinking later tonight.

As I sipped the wine, I thought about Ethan. He was so easy to talk to, so genuine. There was a comfort between us that felt… natural. And he was handsome. Very handsome. That smile, those kind eyes… I shook my head, trying to banish the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Focus, Katerina. Don't get carried away. You barely know him.

But even as I told myself that, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation knowing I would see Ethan soon.

I went into my bedroom and laid out my dress on the bed. It was a showstopper. A backless, sleeveless number in a shade of vibrant purple that perfectly matched the purple hue in my hair. Tiny sequins shimmered across the fabric, catching the light like a thousand tiny stars. It was a bold choice, but I felt confident in it. It made me feel… like the best version of myself. Confident, glamorous, ready to conquer the world… or at least the dance floor.

I started on my makeup, taking my time. I wanted to look my best, but I also wanted to look like myself. I opted for a smoky eye and a nude lip, adding a touch of mascara to make my eyes pop. I glanced at the clock. Plenty of time.

As I was finishing up, the soft jazz still playing, I heard a soft knock on the door. It was Ethan. Right on time.

I took a deep breath, smoothing down my dress one last time. I gave myself a quick glance in the mirror, a small smile playing on my lips. Tonight was going to be amazing. I could feel it.

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I opened the door, and there he was. He looked even more handsome than he had at the café. His dark gray Henley shirt fit him perfectly, and the dark wash jeans added a touch of ruggedness. His jet black hair, wavy and a few inches shy of his shoulders, was styled in tousled layers, making his whiskey-colored eyes stand out even more, framed in thick lashes. A well-maintained beard completed the look. He looked… delicious.

"Hey," he said, his eyes sparkling. "Wow. You look… incredible." His eyes widened slightly, taking in the dress.

"Thank you," I said, blushing slightly. "You look pretty good yourself."

He chuckled. "Ready to go?"

"Almost," I said, grabbing my clutch. "Just let me tell Maximus goodbye."

I went over to Maximus, who was lying on the couch, looking thoroughly dejected. He gave a small whine. Ethan, noticing Maximus's dramatic display of loneliness, knelt down beside him. "Hey buddy," he said, in a silly, high-pitched voice. "Don't worry, we'll bring you back a… treat! Lots of… uh… delicious… dog-friendly things!" He winked at me.

Maximus, despite his earlier sadness, perked up at the sound of Ethan's voice and the mention of food, thumping his tail against the cushions. I laughed. "Alright," I said, turning back to Ethan, still chuckling. "Let's go, party."

As we walked out the door, the smooth jazz faded behind us, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Ethan opened the car door for me, a gentleman as always. As we drove towards the club, the city lights twinkling around us, we talked. The conversation flowed easily, picking up where we left off at the café. We discussed everything from our favorite guilty-pleasure TV shows to our slightly embarrassing first jobs. He told me a hilarious story about a disastrous attempt at waiting tables, complete with spilled drinks and a very angry customer. I countered with a tale of my brief and ill-fated career as a telemarketer, where I accidentally insulted a potential client within the first five seconds of the call. We laughed, the easy camaraderie making the short drive feel even shorter. Before I knew it, we were pulling up to the club, the bass thumping a welcome beat. "Here we are," Ethan said, turning to me with a smile. "Ready for Velocity?"

"Absolutely," I replied, my excitement reaching a fever pitch. "Let's go."

The bouncer at the door recognized me immediately. "Ms. Katerina! Welcome back," he boomed, ushering us in with a flourish. "Right this way, VIP as always."

Stepping inside Velocity was like entering another world. The club had a warm, inviting vibe, despite its size. Soft lighting bathed the space in a warm glow, highlighting the rich wood accents and plush velvet seating. The music was upbeat, a mix of popular hits and dance anthems, but not so loud that you couldn't hold a conversation. It pulsed through the room, creating an infectious energy. The dance floor was already filling up, bodies moving to the rhythm, and the bar was buzzing with activity.

We made our way through the crowd towards the bar. "Katerina!" a voice called out. A man with a warm smile and kind blue eyes, his chestnut brown hair styled impeccably, emerged from behind the bar. His olive-toned skin gave him a perpetually sun-kissed look. "So glad you could make it! Everything's going smoothly so far." He gave me a quick hug. "Ethan, this is Henry, the owner of Velocity," I said, introducing them.

"Great to meet you," Henry said, extending a hand.

"Likewise," Ethan replied, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place crossing his face. Was it… jealousy?

"Can I get you two something to drink?" Henry asked.

"The usual for me, Henry," I said. "And Ethan, what can I get you?"

As Henry turned to make our drinks, Ethan leaned in slightly. "So," he said, his voice just above a whisper. "You and the owner, huh?"

I laughed. "Just friends, Ethan. We've been friends since college, actually. " I left out the fact that Henry had a huge crush on his sister Phoebe and vice versa.

He nodded, the flicker of jealousy seeming to dissipate. I placed my hand lightly on his arm. "Don't worry," I said, giving him a reassuring smile.

Henry returned with our drinks, and as we toasted to the success of Velocity, he added, "Actually, Ethan, tonight's the official opening. We've been open for about a week, but just to a select few, you know, to work out the kinks. Tonight's the big night."

That explained the smooth operation. "Well, everything seems perfect," Ethan said, raising his glass.

"Thanks," Henry replied, beaming. "We've put a lot into this place."

The music shifted to something more upbeat, a familiar song that instantly made me want to move. "Come on," I said to Ethan, grabbing his hand. "Let's dance."

He hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "Alright," he said, letting me pull him towards the dance floor.

As we moved through the crowd, the music washed over us, and I felt a sense of exhilaration. Ethan was a surprisingly good dancer, his movements fluid and natural. We laughed and twirled, the energy of the club surrounding us. I glanced over at Henry, who was watching us from the bar, a smile on his face. He gave me a thumbs-up.

For a moment, everything faded away – the club, the crowd, everything but Ethan and me.