Katrina put her earrings in and did one last check of her makeup. Grabbing her shoes, she walked out of her bedroom to check on Dahlia. She found her in the bathroom, leaning into the mirror as she did her eyes.

“Don’t do it so heavy,” Katrina said, examining her daughter’s thick eyeliner.

Dahlia sighed. “That’s the style now, momma.”

“Mmm.” Katrina shook her head. “Don’t take too long. And don’t be late.”

Dahlia leaned forward again and started the other eye. “Ricardo’s on his way now.”

“You have the directions?”

Dahlia sighed again. “Yes, momma.”

“Good. Don’t be too late.”

Katrina drove out of Mesa Rojo and onto The Six. Entering the tunnel, she thought about how she made this trip at least once a week. Her clients on the ocean side of the Medescos had doubled since last year. Perhaps it was time to open a second office. That would mean hiring at least a front desk person and perhaps another CPA.

The last rays of the sun stretched from behind the mountains as Katrina turned into the LeDay’s neighborhood. She knew Sun had a very high-paying job but didn’t expect them to live in a neighborhood this fancy. The homes, when it was possible to see them from the street, were humongous and elaborate.

Making the last turn on the instructions, she saw small bagged lights on each side of the road leading to their address. On their driveway, the bagged lights gave way to tall torches leading down a forested trail. Small crystals hanging from branches refracted and reflected the torch light, making the trees sparkle.

She reached the end of the driveway and parked next to the other cars in the roundabout. Katrina approached the front door, framed by two large crystals on top of pillars, and rang the bell. A few moments later, Sun opened the door dressed in a glittering pale green dress, tiara, and fairy wings.

Sun squealed and hugged her. “Hey, girl! Come in.”

Katrina held Sun’s arms after the hug and looked her over. “You look magical.”

Sun curtseyed. “Thank you. Tonight, I am Queen Titania.”

Katrina bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, your majesty.”

Glittering cloth hung from the stairs and windows. Fake flames on top of columns marked off paths through the home. Sun hooked her hand in Katrina’s arm and led her to the left, past the kitchen and into their dining room with chairs lining the walls.

“Katrina,” Eric said, coming from behind them. “Glad you could make it.” He dressed far simpler than Sun: a nice polo, slacks, and dress shoes.

“I’m glad too.” Katrina looked around. “Your home is beautiful.”

Sun blushed. “Awww, thank you.”

The doorbell rang, and they both looked back.

Eric smiled and said, “Excuse us. Feel free to wander.”

Walking in, she saw their dining room converted to a dance floor, with speakers in the corners. To the left of where they entered was a bar with several stools. The other end of the room had double doors leading to a large deck. Outside, she recognized two familiar faces.

“Hello, beautiful people,” Katrina said as she stepped onto the porch.

Billie and Ikher turned. Billie wore a fancy button-up shirt, slacks, and her typical thick-soled shoes. She had her hair down but was swept back by a gold and green cloth tied behind her ears which matched the gold sash around her waist.

Ikher looked stylish in dark jeans and a black and silver button up. Gone was the frequent five o’clock shadow, his face clean now except for his goatee and the patch under his lip. His normally ruffled ponytail was tight and neat.

Katrina pulled each of them in for a hug. “Abigail,” she said in Spanish. “You look exquisite. Ikher, very handsome."

“Hey, lady,” Billie said, going limp as Katrina hugged her.

“You look amazing,” Ikher said after Katrina released him.

“Thank you! It’s nice to dress up now and then, no? I like your combination. Dark colors suit you.”

“Can I interest you two in something to drink?” Billie asked.

“Please,” Katrina said, hooking her arms in theirs as they walked back in.

Billie took her place behind the bar and pointed to Katrina. “Wine for the lady?“

Katrina tapped manicured nails to her dimpled chin for a moment before nodding.

Billie turned to Ikher. “Vodka cranberry?”

Ikher nodded. “Please.”

As Billie poured the wine, her attention turned to someone entering the dining room: Dahlia by herself. Had she and Ricardo gotten into another fight?

“Oh… wow,” Billie said.

“You look nice,” Katrina said to her daughter.

Dahlia smiled. “I know.”

Ricardo’s tall, lanky frame rounded the corner and put his hand around Dahlia’s shoulders.

He saw Katrina and nodded. "Good evening, Ms. Munoz. You look great."

Katrina nodded back. “Thank you, Ricardo.”

It wasn’t her home, but she was pleased he showed respect. He must remember the sharp lesson in manners she gave him the last time he came to call on Dahlia. Perhaps he wasn’t as worthless as Katrina thought. He and Dahlia disappeared out onto the deck.

“Dude, that sucks,” Ikher said, making Katrina look back at them.

Billie sighed. “Eh, you get used to it. I just need to learn not to get my hopes up.”

Before anyone could reply, Sun popped around the corner. “Why is everyone standing around? Billie, put some music on!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Billie turned and opened the cabinet behind the bar, revealing a stereo system. She turned the dial, scrolling through stations, then looked over her shoulder at Katrina and Ikher. Punching a few buttons, Billie turned the largest dial until fast paced Latin music thumped from the speakers. It was an older song a younger musician had redone.

“Excellent choice,” Katrina said, as she swayed to the beat.

Billie beamed. “I like to think I have good taste.”

Katrina swayed on the bar stool, remembering her father using dance to distract her from being pregnant with twins. She hopped down and started to salsa.

“You know Kat,” she heard Billie say over the music. “Ikher here used to dance.”

Katrina turned to him. “Really? Salsa? Merengue? Tango?”

He shrugged. “Little bit of everything.”

Katrina smiled and held her hand out. “Come, dance with me.”

Ikher took her hand, and she led him to the middle of the room. “When did you salsa last?”

Ikher’s face scrunched up as he thought. “Couple years back in school.”

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Katrina released him and placed her hand on his shoulder blade. “About the same for me. Start slow?”

Ikher smiled, placing his arm under hers. “Of course.”

Their movements were tentative at first, feeling each other out, not quite keeping up with the beat. Ikher was good, and it wasn’t long before they were spinning and pulling each other back and forth around the dance floor. Katrina beamed. It had been years since she had found someone who could keep up with her.

Before long, they noticed a crowd had gathered and two other couples had joined them on the dance floor. Not one to be outdone, Katrina decided to give them a show. Her movements became more exaggerated, more dramatic, and perhaps a bit more flirtatious.

She ran her fingers along his jaw when she passed or dragged her nails down his chest when he held her close. Ikher picked up on this and adjusted to match her. He spun her to place her back against his chest. His breath on her neck and fingers down her arms gave her goosebumps. She lost track of the other couples as they danced.

When the song ended, Katrina’s last spin put her against Ikher’s chest, his arm around her lower back, and her leg wrapped around his. She had always thought Ikher handsome, but this close his inviting smile and dark brown eyes captivated her. His matching her step for step and firm chest rising and falling against hers didn’t hurt either.

The room burst into applause, jarring their attention away from each other. It seemed like the entire party had come to watch. The other dancing pairs bowed, so she and Ikher did as well. As the applause died down, Katrina, a little out of breath, led Ikher back to the bar where she sat and used a napkin to fan herself.

“I’m impressed, Mister Ybarra,” Eric said, giving Ikher a fist bump. “I figured Kat knew what she was doing, but you both killed it.”

Ikher shrugged. “I had a great partner.”

Dahlia, off to the side, laughed. “Yep, he’s a saint.”

The next song started at a much slower pace. Sun grabbed Eric away for a waltz, so Katrina slid over to sit next to Ikher.

“Eric isn’t the only one impressed,” she said, patting his leg. “Did you go to school for dance?”

Ikher laughed and shook his head. “Nah. My dad loved to dance, so he taught me all kinds of stuff.”

“That’s so nice,” Katrina said. “My parents did as well, and I taught my girls to dance.”

“That’s awesome. If I ever have kids I’ll teach them.” Ikher stood. “Gonna find a bathroom. Be right back.”

Billie slid her a glass of water. Katrina mouthed a thank you and downed the whole glass. When the waltz ended, there was a small round of applause but nothing like what she and Ikher received. As the crowd filtered out, Billie searched through the music channels, Sun followed someone out laughing, and Eric came to stand next to Katrina.

“So,” he said, leaning on the bar. “There’s two reasons we invited you.”

Katrina’s eyebrow went up. “This sounds like business.”

Eric laughed and held up his hands. “Not exactly. We wanted you to have fun, but I mentioned you to a friend who owns a car wash franchise and he was interested.”

Katrina sighed, then pursed her lips. A franchise client on this side of the mountains would require an office. Perhaps it really was time to expand.

A familiar song boomed from the room’s speakers. It was the one Dahlia had been playing on repeat for weeks. Unsurprising, a few seconds later she heard, “Awww, that’s my jam!”

Dahlia appeared, dragging Ricardo out onto the dance floor. Unlike the elegant dance she and Ikher had done earlier, her daughter just grinded herself against Ricardo.

Katrina turned back to the bar and put her face in her hand. “Why must she be vulgar all the time?”

Billie laughed. “You mean you weren’t grinding on dudes at her age?”

“No,” Katrina said, smacking the bar with her hand. “I was taking care of twins.”

She gave her daughter’s display one last glance before turning to Eric. “Your friend is here tonight?

“He is.”

Katrina stood. “Lead the way.”

----------------------------------------

Eric’s friend owned six car wash locations around Ranola and was cautious, but interested. They talked business for the better part of ninety minutes. When Eric came in to announce the bonfire was lit, his friend gave Katrina his information and promised to email her first thing on Monday.

After tucking his info in her purse in the coat room, she wandered back through the house, heading to the converted dining room. She went slow to take in their gorgeous home but also because her feet were screaming. She realized now that perhaps she had been ambitious with these shoes. Though being fair, she hadn’t known there would be dancing.

Katrina found Billie closing up the stereo and bar.

“Hey, you okay?” Billie asked when she noticed Katrina’s careful steps.

“Yes, I need to get off my feet. These shoes are killing me.”

Billie nodded and pointed outside. “Go grab a bench before they all get taken. Do you need help?”

“No, I’ll make it. Thank you, dear.”

Katrina exited onto the porch. The fire looked to be almost at full blaze. To her dismay, every bench looked taken. There were chairs on the porch, but she wanted to be toasty by the fire. She thought about asking Sun and Eric if she could squeeze in with them when she spied Ikher on a bench by himself.

Appearing beside him, she asked. “Is this seat taken?”

Ikher turned and blinked at her, his eyes adjusting. A second later, he smiled and slid over to make room. “It is now.”

Katrina sat and removed her shoes, placing them under the bench. She lifted her feet to the fire, its warmth washing relief over her tired soles.

She glanced over to see Ikher giggling at her. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. You want to trade places so you’re closer?”

She waved him away. “No. No. I’m fine like this.”

When her legs got tired, she let her feet drop into the grass. After a moment, she alternated feet in the air toward the fire. After a couple of switches, Ikher laughed again.

“Here,” he said, leaning forward to take her foot and placing it on his knees facing the bonfire.

“Ahh, my god, thank you,” Katrina said, raising the other to rest it on his legs. She leaned back against the bench with a sigh. “I don’t suppose I could pay you to rub them?” Ikher shrugged and took one foot, pressing his thumb into her heel. She sat forward and swatted his arm. “No, I was joking.”

He paused, running his thumb up her sole. “Oh, you sure. I don’t mind. Those shoes have to be painful,” he said with a nod to her heels.

His thumb pressing on her foot felt nice. “I won’t stop you, but don’t feel you have to do this.”

He laughed. “I’m not using my hands right now, so you can borrow them.”

Katrina fell back against the bench again when he started rubbing. It had been too long since she had dressed up and she should have worn shorter heels. As Ikher’s hands rubbed the ache away, guilt crept in. Maybe she was being too forward.

Just as she thought to stop him, he patted the top of her foot. “Better?”

“Yes, very. Thank you so much.”

He nodded. “You’re welcome.”

Ikher set her feet back down and didn’t seem bothered by her legs on him. She relaxed and watched him watch the fire. Ikher intrigued her the more she learned while doing his taxes. He was young, but had his own home and took good care of it. The amount of money he brought in said he was good at his job. He was soft and kind, but still responsible. It was odd to find that in someone his age.

His eyes glanced over and caught her examining him. Ikher looked at her and then looked around. “Something wrong?”

She smiled and shook her head. “I was just thinking how interesting you are.”

He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Thanks?”

“Your mother did well with you. Kind and humble. You have your own home and a good job. Not to mention you’re a good dancer and are good with your hands.” She chuckled. “If someone told me about you, I’d say they were making you up.”

Ikher laughed. “I think I’m real,” he said, pinching his cheek.

“The next thing you’ll tell me is you can cook.”

“Oh, yeah. I can.”

Sucking her teeth, Katrina squinted at him. “What do you cook?”

She expected him to say what most men his age ate: instant meals or maybe some stove top pasta. She blinked and shook her head when he started listing Thai food dishes, then started on his Spanish menu.

“Wait, wait,” she said, holding up a hand. “You make Heuvos Rotos? I don’t believe you.”

He laughed. “I do. Come by sometime and I’ll make you some.”

She squinted at him and pointed her finger. “Be careful what you offer. I’m a tough judge.”

The smile that crept across his face was cute and a little devilish. “I like a chall-“ he said before Eric appeared between them.

“Hey, I’m sorry to interrupt,” he said, looking at them both before settling on Katrina. “Your daughter got into a bit of an altercation with her date.”

Katrina closed her eyes. That damn girl. Katrina couldn’t take Dahlia anywhere without her being wild. She took her feet off Ikher’s leg and reached for her shoes. “I’ll handle this.”

Eric waved his hands. “No, no. It’s okay. Billie broke them up. But Dahlia’s date left, so Billie’s taking her home.”

Katrina stood. “I could have done that.”

“Dahlia’s pretty drunk, and Billie said she didn’t want to ruin your night.”

“Too late for that.” Katrina sighed. “Eric, I’m so sorry.”

He laughed. “It’s fine. Wouldn’t be a solstice party without some drunken drama.”

Katrina shook her head and looked down at Ikher. “I should go check on my daughter. Thank you for lending me your hands. And for the dance.”

“Anytime.” He stood. “I hope she’s okay.”

Katrina grunted before squeezing his arm. “We should continue our conversation. You should call me.”

“I will,” Ikher said with a smile. “Drive safe.”

Katrina gathered her purse and walked to her car with her shoes in hand. This wasn’t the first time Dahlia had ruined something with her acting out. Diana was off, creating a future for herself while Dahlia lazed around. It was past time for her to crack down on her youngest.