Ruby
My laughter mixed in with the music. I kicked my heel out, then my other one and spun, adding a little more ass wiggle than I normally would. The burn of Tenor’s gaze branded my ass. My hips would be sore tomorrow. Muscles I hadn’t used in years, if ever, were getting called on tonight.
Cruz and Lane had been both patient and enthusiastic when teaching me the steps of each line dance. In between, Tenor stalked out to the dance area and swooped me into his arms for two-stepping until another song with a popular line dance came on. Then he’d leave again, relegating himself to the picnic table while more and more of his family surrounded me.
Wynter whooped next to me, and beside her, Autumn grinned.
At the picnic table, Myles and Gideon hungrily watched their wives across from Tenor. Jonah lifted his chin to Summer. She grinned and scurried out. Tate and Scarlett were in the line behind me and Teller was next to them.
The song was winding down.
Wynter grabbed my arm, still giggling. “I’m going to be sore in the morning.”
I nodded. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
I started for the picnic table just as a slow ballad started.
A woman with skintight blue jeans and a shirt that barely went past her bustline sauntered up to Tenor. She cocked her head toward the dance area.
I slowed. Tenor adjusted his glasses, gave the woman a faint smile, and shook his head. She pouted and kicked a hip out, but he cocked his head to meet my gaze.
The relief hit me like a tidal wave. He’d passed her up. Then his smile broadened. He rose, that powerful body uncoiling like a cobra, and stalked toward me.
“Care to dance?” he asked in that deep voice, the other woman forgotten.
“Have I ever turned you down?” Giddiness swept through my veins, flushed out by hot desire. There wasn’t much I’d deny him.
Tenor made me feel wanted. How was that look he gave me fake? The way he held me while we danced? We weren’t at arm’s length like some other couples. I tripped over his feet because we were so close. My head was less than an inch away from his hard chest.
We enjoyed each other’s company. Yet he hadn’t asked me out.
I couldn’t look at it too hard. The agreement was clear.
Only the wedding had come and gone and now we were on this fake date, pretending among his family and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.
Maybe he wasn’t sure about me. I wasn’t sure about me either. If I couldn’t keep someone as shallow as Brock interested, how would I attract a guy with as much depth as Tenor?
Just enjoy tonight, Ruby. This weekend, when I would be alone in my apartment for the first time in over a month, I could ask that question.
I didn’t keep track of time, but soon enough the band was shutting down.
Tenor led me toward the picnic tables where his family was gathering, bidding everyone goodnight. Mae had all her grandkids for the night. Only Junie and Rhys were missing from the group.
“Your mom is brave to take all the kids at once,” I said.
“She loves it.” Tenor looped a relaxed arm around my shoulders. I sank into his hold, so strong, so secure.
As I walked with Tenor to his pickup, I continued to root myself in the present. I couldn’t dwell on the future. Tenor’s goal had been to make sure I knew what I should expect from a guy, but he’d proved how high I should set my standards. He was like a gold standard, except...
He wasn’t tripping over himself to be with me.
We had chemistry for days, and some hot nights, but he never pursued it. He’d had plenty of chances. He’d been hurt before and I wasn’t enough to tempt him into the real dating world.
It wasn’t me; it was him.
No matter what realization I had come to, I wouldn’t let it take away from tonight. “That was such a fun night,” I gushed after we loaded up.
“Best Fourth I’ve had in a while.”
