Chapter 24: Tanya
Claire touched my arm.
'Hey, Matt. Wanna dance?'
I turned a little, looking over her shoulder. And there she was, Tanya Duncan. As beautiful as she was in the photo, dark skin gleaming in the dim light. Our eyes met across the crowd, and she flinched. She jerked her head away, trying to pretend that she hadn't seen me. She was in a group of people, talking. Trying to act as though nothing had happened.
'I'm not in the mood.'
Claire hesitated, looking at me with strange intensity. Then she shrugged with a gleeful smile and turned to Professor Asshole.
'How about you, Sam?'
He obliged. He took her hand, and they started towards the dance floor. I watched them go, angry. It was petty and irrational, but I couldn't help feeling betrayed. You're the one who said no to her, fool. And besides, you have more important things to worry about. Forget about Claire.
'Dude, what's wrong with you?'
Ted was still standing near me, shaking his head in bewilderment.
'When a girl dresses up and asks you to dance, you don't say no! I mean, it's Getting Laid 101.'
I scowled at him.