This Tangled Thing Called Love: A Contemporary Romance Novel by Marie Astor Page A

to meet you, Lindsay.”
    “Likewise. So, are you an art fan, Alec?” Lindsay asked, clearly oblivious to Claire’s tense state.
    “You could certainly say that, although dance is my first love, as Claire might have told you.”
    “No, she did not.”
    “Alec is a big tango fan,” Claire cut in, eager to put an end to this unnerving chitchat.
    “Actually, I’m a dance teacher. I teach tango, and I also compete professionally.” Alec’s dark brown eyes found Claire’s. “I’m afraid Claire and I had started off on the wrong foot when I inadvertently woke her up on a Saturday morning by playing my tango music too loud, but I hope that she has forgiven me.”
    Alec kept his eyes on Claire during the entire tirade, and all she could do was blush and mumble a muffled yes.
    “Ah, that’s much better.” Alec exhaled, his muscular chest puffing out. “I’ve always had a good rapport with all of my neighbors and I was hoping that my good record would not get marred . So, are you doing some decorating, Claire?”
    “I’m buying an anniversary gift for my boyfriend,” Claire snapped, wishing the store clerk would hurry up with the wrapping.
    “Oh, I see. Well, I’m sorry to have bothered you. I’ll be on my way now.”
    As Alec walked away, Claire was caught off guard by a sudden sense of regret. “Come, let’s get out of here.” She grabbed Lindsay’s arm.
    “So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?” Lindsay stared at Claire once they stood outside the gallery.
    “Yeah, but I need a drink first.”

Chapter 7
     
     
    “You think you’ve got enough liquor in you to finally start talking?” Lindsay signaled the bartender for the second round of drinks. “I’m not going to leave you alone until I get to the bottom of this, you know.”
    Claire finished the remnants of her apple martini, baffled by what it was about Alec that threw her off keel. She could not think of a time she had been so baffled by a guy – probably never. But that did not mean she could not control the raging, inexplicable emotions that engulfed her every time she bumped into the man, and she certainly was not going to talk about him with Lindsay, or anyone else for that matter. Out of mind, out of sight.
    “There’s nothing really to tell.” Claire did her best to sound as casual as possible. “He is just some guy who moved into my building and woke me up by blasting his music on a Saturday morning a couple weeks back. So, I walked into his apartment and told him to turn it down a notch. For some reason, he insists on chatting me up every time we bump into each other. He’s probably used to women falling all over him, but I’m certainly not interested.”
    “You’re not, huh?” Lindsay glanced over the rim of her glass.
    “Nope.” Claire shook her head and smiled a bright smile - the kind of smile she used for closed subjects. “Now, where’s that drink?” She rammed her fingers on the bar stand.
    “And your irritation would not have anything to do with the tango fiasco in Miss Katz’s dance class?”
    “Oh, God – I can’t believe you still remember that! That’s not even ancient history – that’s before the ice age. Besides, you weren’t even there.”
    “No, but I’ve been your friend since the ice age, and I remember you agonizing about it for years. Don’t you think it’s time to face your demons?”
    “What demons?”
    “The fear of dancing demons. Amber certainly did. From what I recall, she made out even worse in Miss Katz’s class than you did, but she doesn’t shy away from the dance floor these days.”
    “I told you that in strict secret! Amber is going to flip if she ever finds out that I told you.”
    “And she has not so far, has she? I know how to keep secrets, but you need to learn to let go of things.”
    “Yeah, right.”
    “Tell me that you don’t find Alec even a little bit intriguing, and I’ll leave you alone.”
    “I don’t find Alec even a little bit