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"I’m not looking at you like anything."

"Keep lying to yourself, sweetheart."

Whitney rolls her eyes but lets her head rest against my chest for a beat. My heart? Stupidly betraying me. Thumping loud enough she has to hear it. Being this close again - it’s nostalgia wrapped in temptation, and I can’t decide if I want to pull back or pull her in closer.

She pulls back just enough to look at me and my gaze drops to her lips, and it’s a mistake - because I want…

"You keep looking at me like that," I say slowly, "and I’m not gonna be able to keep up this act."

Her eyes flick to mine, something flickering there - heat, hesitation, something else neither of us wants to name.

But before I can say or do something reckless, the song ends and I lead her off the dance floor. At that exact moment, my phone rang.

“I need to take this.”

Whitney steps away, smoothing a hand down her dress like she’s shaking off the moment. “Don’t get lost.”

I chuckle under my breath as I head outside.

“Daddy!”

A slow, easy smile tugs at my lips. “Hey, kiddo.”

“Hi, Daddy!” Mia chimes in, her voice sleepy but excited.

“Are you both being good?”

“Uh-huh. Uncle Keith let us stay up late,” Mia whispers conspiratorially.

I shake my head. “Did he now?”

“Are you coming home soon?” Nico asks.

“Tomorrow,” I say. “With Whitney.”

They both cheer.

After a few more goodnight echoes, I hang up, still smiling.

Then I walk back inside - just in time to see Nathan standing way too close to Whitney.

My mood shifts instantly.

I cross the room in a few strides, sliding a hand to the small of her back as I step in beside her.

Nathan’s gaze flicks to mine.

I smile - sharp, pointed. “Everything okay here?”

Whitney turns smoothly. “Blake.”

Nathan watches the way my hand rests on her waist, his lips pressing into a thin line. “We were just catching up.”

I nod, slowly. “Right. See, the thing is, Whitney doesn’t entertain old news. Besides, you’re engaged already. You don’t want to start a rumor about you talking alone with your ex, right?”

Whitney’s eyes flick to me, amusement flashing in them.

Nathan, though, clenches his jaw. I see the muscle twitch as he mutters something under his breath and walks away.