Aiden knows most of the guys, so he catches up with everyone, and once the place is packed, I head over to the DJ booth, where Lance, Ty, Ash, and Colin are hanging.
“Hey, mind if I get in on the set list?” I ask.
Lance shrugs.
“You’re gonna hate me for, like, a minute, but you gotta trust me.”
“Now I’m offended you think I wouldn’t trust one of my own.”
He passes me his phone, and I input the next song.
“What are you putting on?” Ash asks suspiciously.
“You’ll have to wait and see.”
“I wanna knownow.” Ash starts toward me like he’s gonna sneak a peek, so I tug the phone close to my chest.
“Uh-uh. You have to wait for it. Surprises are the best.”
“You and Ryan have been acting weird tonight,” Colin observes, his gaze narrow.
And fuck, have I already given us away?
“I’m not saying a damn thing.” I slip away from the DJ booth, since I have a feeling if I stick around too long, I’m gonna blab.
The guys seem to be respecting my wishes by not picking up the phone to see what’s coming. I head to the dance floor, where abunch of fratbros and sorority sisters are enjoying a Megan Thee Stallion song, which assures me this is gonna make for a really awkward transition.
I’m kind of nervous when I see Ryan chatting with Keeg and Dax, his gaze on me. He’s got that mischievous smirk playing across his lips, which he licks, like he’s thinking about what he has planned for me once we’re finished up for the night. And I must admit, I’m feeling extra frisky after all that adrenaline the TaskFrat win pumped me up with.
When the song that’s playing comes to an end, it transitions to a tango, and the dance floor fills with audible groans while a few look around like they’re waiting for Lana Del Rey to start playing.
Ryan turns to his buddies and excuses himself before making his way to me.
I’m tempted to look back at the guys, see what their reaction is at the DJ table, or maybe try to find Aiden to see if he’s about to witness this, but I can’t take my eyes off Ryan. He looks so damn sexy in that suit. And I know he’s got his pomade to spike his hair in the front the way it is.
When he reaches me, I say, “Can I have this dance?”
“It’d be an honor.” He winks.
I didn’t realize how nervous I’d be about doing this in front of everyone, but it makes it easier that he’s here, and as usual, doesn’t give any fucks about what anyone else thinks.
We get into position.
“I’ll lead,” I say.
“I think I can handle it.”
“No, that’s how I learned it, so I feel like I’ll be better that way.”
He laughs. “Right.”
We begin the dance, and I use those moves I’ve picked up and shared with him throughout the semester, and this is a lot easierthan when we were just starting together.
“Kind of wish we could pro it up right now,” I tell him. “Pull some moves that could really impress everyone.”
“Trust me, this is enough to impress most of the guys here. And you should be impressed—I haven’t stepped on your toes nearly as much as when we started.”
I laugh.
