Excerpt
Bert completed the underarm successfully twice in a row before the hour was up and the lesson was over. Mattie escorted him back to one of the small tables where Bert had left his belongings and waited while he changed into his street shoes and donned a light jacket. Once he was ready to leave, she walked with him to the front desk to solidify his next lesson’s day and time, then stayed to chat with Rhythm Express’ receptionist for a few moments.
She was turning around to head back inside the studio proper when someone bumped into her and, after a tangle of his and her feet, ultimately tripped her. Mattie landed on the floor and stared up at a mortified Mick Cervantes.
“I’m so sorry!” he exclaimed as he helped her back to her feet. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
Mattie brushed her dance skirt off and quickly reassured him. “Fine. Really. Nothing broken but my pride. I’m supposed to be more graceful, although since this is only my second day back teaching in a little over a month, I suppose my balance is less than perfect.” She swallowed, “As to ‘okay’?  Not yet. Oh nuts. I’m sorry I even said it.  Nothing at all to do with landing on the floor. Anyway, back to balance.”
Mick shook his head. “You’re always graceful, even when some idiot klutz in too big a hurry crashes into you. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
Mattie tried to soften the expression of horror and embarrassment in Mick’s eyes. “Believe me, Mr. Cervantes, I’ve suffered much worse while on the dance floor.”
“Even so, should I go grab a lawyer and let you sign paper for injuries received in the line of duty? Wow. Is your—uh—backside insured? Legs insured? Entire body insured?”
She laughed, a sound, which startled her. It had been months since she’d felt amusement at anything. “I’ve fallen on my bottom more times than most baseball players have slid into home base. No harm/no foul.  Don’t worry. But, why are you in a rush today? Or am I being too nosy in asking?”