Chapter 137 - Dancing in the Dark

When Cate raised her eyes back to Jon’s face, she saw him gazing longingly at her. Her heart clenched.

Stop it, she chided herself again. He’s done all this for you, created this beautiful night. Don’t ruin it for him by being such a weepy GIRL.

She pulled in a breath and gave Jon a brighter smile. “You know what… I’m starving too. Let’s eat.”

Jon nodded, then looked to the waiter. “Ready for the first course, Val.”

The young waiter quickly placed plates of a delectable Caprese salad before them, then nodded to Jon. “Sir, while you enjoy the salads I will retrieve the main dish from the kitchen. It is prepared, but the chef wanted to be sure it was freshly served. Is there anything else I can bring you?”

Jon shook his head. “No, I think we’re fine here. Thanks, Val.”

“Very good, Sir,” Val tipped his head. “I shall return in a few minutes.” With that he turned and disappeared into the villa, the sound of the front door closing following a few seconds later.

Jon grinned at Cate and raised his eyebrows. “I think he’s a little nervous,” he observed with a chuckle.

Cate laughed and nodded. “Yeah. We’re creeping him out by making such a big deal of his name,” she agreed, taking a sip of her wine. “Poor guy.”

Jon chortled and shook his head. “Don’t worry. I’ll tip him well. Really well.” He gave Cate’s hand a little squeeze before releasing it and picking up his fork. “Now come on… dig in. You need to keep your strength up.” He gave her a saucy grin and a wink. “You’re gonna need it later.”

Cate arched her eyebrows at Jon. “Seriously? I thought I wore you out earlier. You almost passed out.”

Jon nodded. “Yeah, but never underestimate the Man of Steel,” he wisecracked. “I don’t care if it takes all damned night. And it might…” he added with a self-deprecating smirk. “But I fully intend to make love to you tonight, Officer Sullivan.”

Cate smiled gently at his bravado. “No argument here, Superman. I’m game,” she replied teasingly.

“Good.” Jon grinned, taking a bite of his salad and groaning appreciatively. “Now THIS is Caprese!” he proclaimed in thick Jersey-ese. “Fuhgeddaboudit. I’m Italian. I know good mozzarella.” He smirked at Cate as he chewed, her little chuckle in response touching his heart. He was going to do his best tonight to make her laugh, even if that meant acting a little goofy.

His smile turned into a full grin when he heard the opening bars of a new song from Cate’s iPod, wafting out into the night air from the speakers inside the villa. “BROOOOCE!” he howled softly, nodding along with the familiar notes of the live version of “Fourth of July, Asbury Park.”

Cate laughed at Jon’s silliness. “Told you it was my Jersey Boys playlist,” she chided. “You’re gonna hear a lot of familiar stuff. A LOT.”

“Fine by me, Baby.” Jon agreed, knowing she meant his own songs.

Jon and Cate relaxed as they listened to the music while they enjoyed their salads and wine, forgetting for the moment about their looming parting. As promised, Valentino returned ten minutes later with the main course, a delicious seafood pasta.

As the young waiter served their meal, Jon asked Cate whether she would want dessert. When she declined, Jon thanked Valentino for his service and told him they would no longer need him this evening. The young man was more than happy to oblige Jon’s request for his departure when Jon slipped a folded hundred-dollar bill into his hand. With profuse thanks, Valentino bowed and grinned his way out of the villa.

Cate and Jon took their time savoring the fantastic meal, the beautiful night, and each other’s company. They talked about music, Jon happy to entertain all of Cate’s questions about how he created songs and albums and live performances. Then the conversation turned to acting, and again Cate peppered Jon with questions about his experiences and the movie-making process.

As they talked Jon and Cate occasionally paused to listen or sing along with the music that provided the backdrop to their evening. Jon’s heart warmed whenever one of his own songs came on and Cate sang softly along without even realizing she was doing it. Whenever a Jukes or Springsteen song came up in the rotation, Jon would grin and share some funny memory of his early days playing the clubs on the Jersey Shore.

Cate’s heart melted at the pure joy in Jon’s beautiful smile as he recounted the tales of his youth. But she couldn’t stop the little stabs of pain she felt as she realized that, like his bygone days, their tale was coming to an end. Soon their romance would be nothing more than a fondly-recalled memory.

Jon noticed Cate’s melancholy expression as she sipped at her wine during a pause between songs. She had laughed and joked along with him all night, but he knew she was marking each passing hour, preparing herself for what she thought was inevitable.

At the familiar sound of piano and horns, Jon smiled. Taking a drink of wine then setting his glass on the table, he stood and extended his hand to Cate. “C’mon,” he urged. “Dance with me.”

Cate gave him a surprised look. “What?” she asked with a little half-chuckle.

“C’mon!” Jon repeated, waving his hand at her. “This song is made for dancin’! Just ask Southside.” He grinned as the first verse of The Jukes’ version of “The Fever” played through the warm night air. “Come on, Cate! I’m no Danny, but I got some moves,” he teased.

Cate laughed out loud. “You’re the one who says you can’t dance,” she pointed out.

Jon grinned. “True. But I can dance to this. Now come on! Get up!” He was determined to keep her smiling.

“Okay,” Cate grinned and stood, taking Jon’s hand. They moved away from the table, toward the steps leading down to the sand. Clasping her right hand in his left and resting his other hand on her hip, Jon started to sway to the bluesy beat, leading Cate along with the tempo. He gave her a boyish grin and growled along with the chorus.

I’ve got the fever for the girl,
Got the fever, oh I got the fever
There ain’t nothin’ that a poor boy can do…

When he’s got the fever for the girl
Got the fever, oh I got the fever
Done left this little boy blue…

Jon pushed Cate away from him as he stepped back, capturing her free hand with his then pulling her back to him in a smooth but somewhat off-beat swing move. Cate laughed at his effort, then obliged his further attempts at swing dancing. She gamely followed along as he twirled her slowly around under his raised arm, then ducked under her arm in turn.

After a couple tries Jon figured out how to lead Cate in time with the music, and they grinned and laughed their way through a fairly pathetic slow swing dance to the song’s sultry beat. Finally they pulled back together and just swayed as the last bars of the music faded away, replaced by the sound of the waves rushing against the shore. Their movement slowed as their eyes locked and they gazed soulfully at each other, both wishing dearly this night would never end.