They danced three or four songs; Mary lost count. For the first time in a long time, she was having fun. Every now and again, she caught a glimpse of Nora, her expression a mix of embarrassment and concentration as Rosalie taught her the steps.

“This is the East Coast Swing,” Betty screamed in Mary’s ear. “Triple step, triple step, rock step, rock step.”

Mary twice turned in the wrong direction before she finally caught on. Once she did, they fell into an easy rhythm.

“Hey, you’re a quick study. I like that.”

The song ended, and Rosalie tapped them both on the arm. She mouthed, “Let’s get some air. It’s so stuffy in here.”

The four of them spilled out into the night, and, as if by silent agreement, turned toward home.

“That was a blast!” Betty mopped her brow.

“It sure was,” Rosalie agreed. “How about you, tall, fair, and shy?” She bumped hips with Nora. “Admit it, you had a good time.”

Nora’s cheeks stained red.

“Well? You did, didn’t you? You are honor-bound to tell the truth.”

Reluctantly, Nora nodded. “I confess, I had more fun than I thought I would.”

“Ha! I told you so.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to let you drag me to these things on a regular basis.”

“No, of course not,” Betty teased. “You’d rather have your head stuck in a book.”

“There’s nothing wrong with loving to read.”

“I know. But a good book won’t keep you warm at night, if you know what I mean.” Rosalie winked.

If possible, Nora’s face turned a darker shade of red, visible under the streetlight. “Some of us aren’t as boy-crazy as you are. Speaking of which, what happened to what’s-his-name?”

Rosalie sighed. “What’s-his-name turned out to have a girlfriend back home he conveniently neglected to tell me about.”

“Ouch,” Betty said.

“That’s awful,” Mary said.

“What about you, Mary? Do you have a fella?”

Mary’s pulse accelerated as all eyes turned to her. Nora’s gaze nearly burned a hole through her. “I… I had a boyfriend back home. His name was Sam and he worked as an apprentice to a watchmaker.”

“Had? As in, past tense?” Betty asked.

“Yes.” Mary fidgeted under the intensity of Nora’s scrutiny.

“Well, details, girl.” Rosalie pushed.

Mary wished they would drop it.

“Don’t leave us hanging. He made a good, steady living, right?”

“Yes.”

“He was good looking?”

“Very.”

“What happened?” Rosalie prompted impatiently. “Getting information out of you is harder than figuring out what the heck it is we’re all really doing here.”

“He wanted to get married.” Nora’s expression held surprise and disappointment. Or maybe Mary was reading something into it that wasn’t there at all; she couldn’t be sure.

“And?” Nora asked it so quietly, Mary wasn’t sure she’d heard her correctly.