Hazel and Iris emerged from the bathroom wrapped in plush towels.

Zed followed behind them, looking clean but still ragged. He smiled at Alice and Betty.

-All yours, he said as he pointed to the bathroom door. Water should be nice and warm.

Betty beamed at Zed gratefully.

-Thank you so much, Zed!. She linked arms with Alice, attempting to guide her towards the bathroom. Come on, Ali, let's get clean!

Zed started to dry off in front of his bed as he watched Hazel and Iris get re-dressed.

-You know, we could stick around awhile longer. Help you... entertain your lovely guests better, Hazel suggested with a smirk, eyeing the closed bathroom door.

-I'd love that, Zed said as he reached over for his phone, seeing the text from Ednin again. He turned to Iris and Hazel. How about dinner and dancing?

-Dinner and dancing sounds like a delightful way to spend the evening, dear boy, Iris grinned.

Zed explained his Wednesday night dance classes with Ednin, and how the instructor was making tonight a private session for them and their friends.

Hazel's eyes lit up at the prospect.

-Well well, isn't that a tempting offer.

-Like a real-life fantasy come to life, Iris murmured, leaning in to whisper in Zed's ear. Besides, I'm dying to see more of your moves, both on and off the dance floor.

After thoroughly washing away the day's events, Alice and Betty emerged from the bathroom. Alice tied a towel tightly around her ample bust while Betty hummed cheerfully.

-Well, that was invigorating, Betty said brightly.

-You girls look so refreshed and alive, Zed said with a smile.

Betty blushed at the compliment.

-Thanks, we needed that, Betty responded warmly. Did you all have a nice chat while we were in the shower?

-Yes, actually we were talking about continuing the evening, Zed said. I know it's been a busy few days so you can say no, but I have my dance class with Ednin tonight and she wanted to know if the two of you wanted to join us.

-Dance class? With Ednin and... who else exactly? Alice asked.

-Well, apparently Ednin got us a private session so I thought it would be fun if Hazel and Iris joined us. I'm sure Carla will be with Ednin, Zed added with a chuckle.

Betty clapped her hands together excitedly.

-Oooh, a private dance lesson sounds amazing! I've always wanted to learn something sexy and new, she gushed with genuine enthusiasm.

Alice hesitated, she still wasn’t sure.

-No pressure, Zed said. Originally I thought I'd give you girls the evening to yourselves while I went to dance class.

-Hold on a second. If this was originally going to be your solo plans, why the sudden invitation for us? Alice asked, jabbing an accusing finger at him. Don't try to snow me, buster. There's gotta be an ulterior motive here somewhere.

-It was Ednin's idea, Zed said.

Alice rolled her eyes. She knew that, but she was still upset.

-Of course it was Ednin's idea. Miss 'let's-all-be-friends-and-share-everything', Alice retorted sarcastically.

-Now, now, let's not be so hasty, dear, Betty interjected. I understand your apprehensions, truly I do. But perhaps, perhaps this could be a chance for us to explore something new again, to break out of our usual routines?

-It's a dirty dancing class, Zed admitted sheepishly.

-Dirty dancing? Just as I suspected! Alice yelled.

Her grip tightened on her towel. She leaned in closer to Zed.

-This whole thing is just a fucking ruse to get us naked again, isn't it? Alice snapped.

Feeling the tension, Hazel and Iris looked at each other before Hazel piped up.

-Hey, it's ok, Hazel said. I don't know if we can actually go to the dance class anyway. We had a great time meeting you three, we don't want to spoil anything.

Iris nodded in agreement, stepping forward with a conciliatory smile.

-Indeed, we wouldn't want to impose or cause any awkwardness. It was truly a pleasure meeting you both, Iris said, extending a hand to shake first Alice's then Betty's firmly. Perhaps it's best we take our leave and allow you to discuss this invite amongst yourselves without any additional… distractions.

-Please don't feel like you're imposing! Betty said. I appreciate you wanting to respect our space, but honestly, having a couple more ladies around couldn't hurt given the... tense atmosphere, she added diplomatically. Besides, I'm still curious about this dance class idea. It sounds thrilling!

-Well Alice, Zed said with a sigh. It's all up to you.

Betty gently squeezed Alice's hand.

-Go ahead, sis. Tell Zed what you really think, Betty prompted her softly.

Alice stepped closer to Zed, jabbing a finger into his chest.

-I think this whole setup stinks worse than last year's gym socks. First you spring a surprise week on us, now this 'private dance lesson' bullshit? Alice asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. It's all a bit too convenient, don't you think?

-It is convenient, Zed said, but that's a good thing. Like I said, I was gonna let you girls rest here while I went to the class on my own, originally. This was a convenient surprise.

Hazel watched the tense exchange and discreetly grabbed Zed’s phone to add her number.

-Convenient indeed, Hazel said. Surprises often are the spice of life, wouldn't you agree, darling?

-I mean, look at Hazel and Iris, Zed said, turning to Hazel. How convenient was it they came to deliver our antiques and not Gunner and Boomer?

-Alright, let's assume, hypothetically, that this isn't some grand scheme to trap us into yet another debauched escapade, Betty started carefully. What exactly would this dance class entail?

-It's a lot of cardio, a lot of moving around, a lot of bending and picking up, Zed explained. Oh yeah, it's very sensual, very primal. Jazz is a fantastic instructor.

Alice's eyes narrowed as she processed his words.

-Sensual and primal, huh? Let me guess, this 'Jazz' person has you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she? Alice demanded.

-Guilty as charged, Zed said meekly.

-Oh, spare me the coy act. Betty, can't you see what's happening here? Alice asked as she turned back to face Zed.

-I think what's happening here is Hazel and Iris have disappeared, Zed said as he looked around. I think you scared them off, he said with some disappointment.

Betty looked around and went to follow them out but Alice stopped her.

-Listen Alice, Zed said. I didn't mean to turn dance class into a drama club meeting. You and Betty are free to stay here and enjoy the house while I go to the class. It's really no pressure. Or I can stay with you and we can skip class all together, if that's what you want, he said as he put his hand on Alice's.

Alice shrugged off his hand.

-Oh, don't start with that nurturing crap, she snapped. He thinks he can just waltz in here, drop a bombshell like private dance lessons taught by his little crush, and expect us to roll over?

-It's not supposed to be a bombshell Alice. It's a fun Wednesday night activity, Zed said with exasperation.

As the three of them made their way downstairs, Zed continued.

-I wasn't even trying. Ednin was just trying to be nice, since she missed out on coming back with us last night. She made an offer Alice. An offer you can definitely refuse.

Alice paused mid-step.

-Well, I guess if Ednin went out of her way to arrange this for us, I suppose that changes things a bit, she grumbled reluctantly, rubbing the back of her neck. Guess I can't accuse you of cooking up another one of your schemes, hmm?

-Tell Ednin thank you for thinking of us and going to all this trouble. That's incredibly thoughtful and generous of her, Betty said.

Alice huffed, still resistant to the idea.

-I haven't agreed to jack shit yet, so don't go getting ahead of yourselves, she warned. But, if it means that much to you two and Ednin put in actual effort for once instead of you just chasing tail, then fine. We can check out this dumb dance class.

Alice looked at Zed suspiciously.

-Don't expect me to get naked though, Alice added quickly. And you better not cop a feel, mister.

-Well that's no fun, Zed pouted playfully. Let's just say, we'll see.