The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 104

In the Diamond Lounge on the seventh deck of the luxury cruise ship, The Oceanic Glory.

The deep blue hem of the velvet dress swayed gently under the lights as she walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the man in the black suit toward the center of the dance floor.

Josh's palms were sweating slightly, and his heart pounded against his ribs in a frantic rhythm.

He subtly adjusted the arm Sloane was holding onto, trying his hardest to look natural.

"Josh..." Sloane's voice drifted from beside him, laced with an embarrassed tone. "I don't know how to dance."

Josh curled his lips into a gentle smile. "It's okay, Sloane. I don't know how either."

"We're just here to join the fun and sway around a bit. It's not like anyone knows us anyway."

Sloane chuckled, her shoulders finally relaxing a fraction. "Then you better not step on my feet."

"I'll try my best."

The two stopped at the edge of the dance floor. They were surrounded by couples moving with elegant grace and practiced footwork—from older couples in formal evening wear to young lovers completely lost in each other. Meanwhile, tucked away in a corner, Diego was still covertly streaming from his phone, his camera locked onto the completely oblivious pair.

A smooth jazz tune played, the tempo leisurely, creating a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

Josh hesitated for a brief second before gently resting his hand on Sloane's waist. Even through the velvet fabric, he could feel a trace of her warmth. He didn't dare hold her too tightly; his touch was incredibly light, as if he were afraid of breaking something precious.

His other hand enveloped hers. Her skin was a bit cool, her fingers long and elegantly structured.

"Here we go," Josh murmured.

"Yeah."

And then, the two of them followed the rhythm of the music and began to... sway.

There was no choreography, no technique, just an aimless shuffling of feet to the beat. You step back, I step forward, spin in a circle, and spin back... Josh was hyper-vigilant about not stepping on Sloane, resulting in him taking quite a few solid stomps to his own shoes.

"I'm so sorry, Josh." Sloane laughed, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents.

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