Shadow Dance

The wedding of Jordan Buchanan's brother Dylan to her best friend, Kate MacKenna, was a joyous occasion, and the reception a beautiful affair --

Jordan walked into the ballroom and stood near the entrance trying to find Noah in the crowd on the dance floor. He still had her glasses in his pocket and her contacts were bothering her.

"What's got you frowning?"

Her brother Nick asked the question as he sauntered over to her.

"I'm not frowning. I'm squinting. Noah has my glasses. Do you see him?"

"Yeah. He's right in front of you."

She focused in, spotted him, and then did frown. "Look at those silly women panting all over your partner. It's disgusting."

"You think?"

"I think," she replied. "Promise me something."

"Yes?"

"If I ever act like that, you'll shoot me."

"Be happy to," Nick promised before laughing at her.

Noah had excused himself from his fan club and walked over to join them.

"What so funny?"

"Jordan wants me to shoot her."

Noah glanced down at her, and for a second or two she had his full, undivided attention.

"I'll do it," he offered

There was a little too much glee in his voice to suit her. She had just decided to walk away from the two of them when she spotted Dan Robbins heading her way. At least she thought it was Dan. He was too blurry to be sure. She'd had one dance with Dan earlier in the evening, and no matter what music was playing, whether it was a waltz, a tango, or hip hop, Dan bounced to his own tune in something that resembled a spasmodic version of a polka. Jordan changed her mind and stayed put. She moved a little closer to Noah and smiled at him. The ploy seemed to work. Dan hesitated and then turned away.

"Don't you want to know why she wants me to shoot her?" Nick asked.

"I already know why," Noah said. "She's bored."

She slipped her hand into his pocket, found her glasses, and put them on.

"I am not bored."

"Yes, you are," Noah said.

He was looking over her head when he spoke to her. She suspected he did it on purpose just to irritate her.

"He's right," Nick said. "You have to be bored. All you had was your company, and since you sold everything..."

"Your point?"

Nick shrugged. "You've got to be bored."

"Just because I don't like the same things you two do doesn't mean I'm bored or unhappy. I have a wonderful social life and-"

Noah cut her off. "Dead people have a better social life."

Nick agreed. "You really don't have much fun, do you?"

"Of course I do. I enjoy reading and..."

They were both grinning at her. They were obnoxious clowns, and she was about to tell them so when Nick said, "She does like a good book. What was it you were reading a couple of days ago?"

"I don't remember. I read lots of books."

"I do," Noah said, his voice gratingly cheerful. "Nick and Dylan and I had just gotten back from fishing, and you were sitting on the deck reading the complete works of Stephen Hawkings."

"It was riveting."

They had a good laugh over her defensive comment. "Stop making fun of me and go away. Both of you."

Her timing could have been better. As soon as she told them to leave, she spotted Dan approaching her again. She grabbed hold of Noah's arm. She was sure he knew what she was doing and why-he'd have to be blind not to notice Dan strolling toward them-but he didn't say anything about it.