Heart-Shaped Hack(54)

It felt good to be out with her friends, and it was easy to get caught up in the pounding rhythm of the music and the excitement of the occasion. And Kate was flying high because Ian’s “I love you” was still playing on an endless loop in her head.

“Let’s dance,” Paige said, tugging on Jason’s sleeve.

“I’d much rather watch you girls,” he said. Kate and her friends loved to dance, and they’d been tearing up dance floors for years. “You’re in for a real show, Ian.”

“Is that so?” Ian said, looking over at Kate and raising an eyebrow.

She laughed. “Club moves are even more fun than the Electric Slide.”

“I don’t think they’re ready yet, though,” Jason said. He topped off his wife’s drink, and Kate’s and Audrey’s too.

“Not quite,” Clay agreed. “But soon.”



Forty-five minutes later when Paige couldn’t wait any longer, she pulled Kate and Audrey onto the dance floor. They had to shout to hear each other over the music.

“Kate, your man is gorgeous,” Audrey said. “And tall. What is he, six three?”

She smiled. “Four.”

“Where did you find him?” Paige asked.

“Actually, he found me. He saw me on TV and made several donations to the food pantry.”

“He must be doing pretty well,” Paige said knowingly.

She shrugged. “I think he does okay.”

Kate wasn’t about to shed any light on Ian’s situation, financial or otherwise. He might own nice cars and reside in a luxury apartment, but so did lots of people who lived in Minneapolis. He seemed most comfortable when he was sitting on Kate’s couch wearing jeans and a sweatshirt or when he walked hand in hand with her to a nearby restaurant and they each ordered their favorite meal, even if it happened to be the least expensive item on the menu. She liked that about him. One of the things leaving the law firm had done was make her realize she didn’t need as much money as she’d once thought. Seeing how little her clients were getting by on had been a real eye-opener.

“Are we going to talk or are we going to dance?” Audrey asked.

“We’re going to dance,” Paige said. “Just try to keep up, girls.”



It wasn’t long before they were in their element. Kate’s dance moves were tempered a bit by her concern that her dress would ride up and expose the tops of her stockings if she raised her arms over her head. She made up for it by moving her hips in a way that had Ian smiling and clapping when she looked over at him. Jason held his finger in the air and moved it in a quick circle, urging the girls to give them a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree show, a request they happily obliged. When they finally returned to the table, they fanned themselves, ready to take a break and cool down. Clay refilled their drinks, and it wasn’t long before they were back out on the floor. When the DJ played a slow song, the men joined them, claiming it was the only kind of dancing they knew how to do.

At midnight, they counted down and toasted each other with a bottle of champagne. Ian gave Kate an especially hot kiss, sliding his hand up her dress under the table until he reached the top of her stocking. Then Paige—who’d had a considerable amount to drink—leaned over and gave Kate a friendly peck on the mouth.

Jason, who was sitting between Kate and Paige, yelled, “Yes!”

“Seriously?” Kate said, laughing.

“I hope you enjoyed it, because it’s the closest you’re ever going to get to a threesome,” Paige said, turning to her right to give Audrey a kiss too.

Kate looked at Ian.

He smiled and then leaned in to brush her ear with his lips. “I told you it was universal. But all I need is you.”



Downstairs in the lobby, Ian helped her on with her cape. “Stay here while I give the ticket to the valet.”

While she was waiting, she heard someone say, “Kate?” Glancing up, she spotted a man standing a few feet away, his brows knitted together in confusion, a woman by his side. He looked vaguely familiar, but it took her a few seconds to make the connection because she’d only seen his profile picture and had never met him in person.

Kent from online dating. Supposed lover of cooking, animals, and long hikes in the woods.

He approached her, eyes glassy, shirt untucked, hair mussed.

“Hello,” she said coolly.

“So it is you.”

“Yes.”

“Wow. You look great. Weren’t we supposed to go out once?” he asked.

“Yes, but you decided I was too fat and you canceled on me at the last minute.”

Ian walked up then.

“Look,” Kate said. “It’s Kent.”

Ian looked contemplative. “Speaking of threesomes.”

“You’re not fat,” Kent said.

“Well, maybe not now, but I could blow up again at any moment.”

“She really likes Cinnabon,” Ian said.

Kent looked her up and down. “Maybe we could reschedule.”

Ian folded his arms across his chest. “Never gonna happen.”

Kent’s date said, “I’m standing right here,” and she did not sound pleased.

“Just so we’re clear. Now that you know I’m not fat, you think we should go out?” Kate said.