Clutching my new tambourine, I walked to a clearing to have more room to dance. Reilley grabbed the drum and started a beat. Like before, I moved to the rhythm. This time, my red skirt danced with me, and I shook my tambourine appropriately. We discovered that as long as I let Reilley choose the pace, we could improvise an entertaining performance.

We fed on each other’s energy and ended at a natural breaking point, exchanging smiles as the last beat echoed off the trees.

“You’re enchanting,” Reilley complimented smoothly.

“I’m only expressing your music and following your lead.”

He flushed with pleasure at the high praise.

“Could you do me a favor?” I asked him.

He nodded.

“Would you unplait my hair? It should be dry by now.”

His eyes gleamed like I’d given him a gift, and I turned my back to him. With long, deft fingers, he gently unbraided my hair. Undone, he ran his hands through the soft waves to separate them. I shivered.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

As his hands gently stroked the dark locks, I became aware that we were very alone. We’d been alone before, but this time was different. An air of anticipation settled between us. His hands stilled. Neither of us knew what should happen next, and the pressure quickly became uncomfortable.