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His eyes locked on mine Then he took a step back and I watched as he looked ht for ato refuse, but then, wordlessly, he took my hand and pulled me toward the dance area His hand felt cold for such eather

I hiked up the end of own and atte solanced around at the other girls once more as I prepared to unleash ht hold ofmy every movement

I didn’t even need to think I just had tome

Oh, this is uy was good He was lanced around at the crowd until I finally caught Ben’s eye I gave hiot Kristal’s attention Kristal, her cheeks pink and forehead shining with sweat, looked over the stranger I was dancing with and gave me a thu a good night

"How did you learn to dance so well?" I shouted into the stranger’s ear

"I dance a lot" His voice was deep and husky

"Oh," I said

I couldn’t think of further conversation But it didn’t feel aard not talking, because he kept ave me a chance to talk even if I had wanted to

I found it a little disconcerting the way he kept looking around at the other ht that perhaps he was checking out the girls they’d hooked up with I looked around myself Each of them seemed to have found partners by now

He bent down and whispered into my ear, "Care to take a walk outside?"

"Yeah," I slurred "Sure"

He grippedhot and the cool sea air felt welcome Histhe sand

"So," I said, looking up at his face "What’s your name?"

"Caleb"

"Caleb," I repeated I liked the sound of his naain "Caaaa-leb"

We walked side by side for about fifteenin the distance, until ere approaching a quiet part of the beach When I looked around, I found it strange that his friends had all left at the sa in the same direction