“There’s a difference between being reserved and keeping secrets. I was never all that good at hiding things when people asked me questions. Plus, now that I have such a good support system, I don’t want to screw that up by keeping secrets.” She grabs a cup, filling it with water from the jug on the bar. “I think I’m doing a great job! I’m helping you.”
“Helping them get caught,” Callie murmurs.
Olivia’s mouth falls open, and she gives Callie a playful smack on the shoulder. “Am not!”
I lean in and drop my voice. “It’s okay. Lauren is going to be the one giving us away tonight anyway.”
Lauren arches a brow. “Why would I do that?”
“Because I’m irresistible. You won’t be able to tame yourself around my magnetic charm.” I smirk and toss a wink in her direction, which instantly makes her blush. “Told you.”
She presses her hands to her cheeks. “Not true. If anything, you can’t resistmycharm.”
She bats her eyelashes playfully before pulling her purse off her shoulder and grabbing a tube of lip gloss. I almost forget I’m supposed to be resisting her while I watch her pucker her full lips and apply the shiny coat.
“Point proven.” Her mouth curves into a devilish smile.
“I’m sorry for what I said, Olivia. It looks like these fools are going to give themselves away.” Callie rolls her eyes as she walks toward the crowd forming to sign up for dance lessons.
“Nuh uh!” Lauren shouts back at her, but Callie is easily ten feet away already and shrugging her shoulders without looking back.
Lauren glances at me like I’m going to do something about it, but I hope we do give ourselves away. I’m tired of this charade.
Betsy starts up her mic and calls everyone forward to the dance floor. I pretend to be completely uninterested, but I’m just listening for my cue. As everyone joins up with partners, Betsy tsks. “Looks like we are one person short. Would y’all be okay with rotating through partners today?”
“Just make Jax join us,” Callie suggests. “He’s done the lessons before. I’m sure he’d be a good partner.”
I glance up in fake horror, sure that my reaction could win me an Oscar. Once Olivia supports Callie’s claim, as well as a couple other older ladies who have a hungry glint in their eye, I come out onto the dance floor.
“You should dance with Lauren. You two worked well together last time,” Olivia says, shoving me in her direction. I don’t even have time to fake protest.
Once Lauren is in my arms, I lean down, whispering, “You ready for this?”
“I was born ready. I’m going to kick your butt.”
I choke on a laugh. “I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure we’re supposed to be partners in this, not competing with one another.”
“You’re right. Sorry, I don’t know how to act.”
“You don’t need to act.” I slide my hands down to her waist. A lick of fire ignites inside of me. Touching her already drives me wild, but touching her when I know I shouldn’t be erases my ability to think straight. Everything around us melts into the background, Betsy’s instructions, the other couples awkwardly trying to act out the steps as she explains, the clanking of bottles as my crew sets up for the night—it’s all gone.
“What’re you doing?” Lauren asks nervously, but she isn’t glancing around, wondering what other people are thinking. Her hazel eyes are laser focused on me.
“I told you I was going to make you want to kiss me.”
She places a hand on my chest, pushing away. “I’m not falling for that. Besides, if anything,you’rethe one who wants to kissme. I can see it in your eyes already.”
“Of course I want to kiss you, but I respect your boundaries. I’m not going to cave.” I gently rub my thumb on her hip. “But I can’t help it if you’re impervious to my charm.”
Betsy stops her instructions, turning to Lauren and me. “Is there something you two would like to share with the class, or are you two going to actually pay attention?”
Murmurs float through the group. I don’t have to hear them to know what they’re saying. Lauren and I suck at keeping our relationship a secret. The whole town was already talking about how I’ve been seen with her on more than one occasion, from the diner to our first dance lessons together. The excuse that I’m just looking out for Charlie’s little sister is no longer working. I can’t help the fact that I don’t look at anyone else the way I look at her.
Lauren’s face sets on fire, and she freezes.
“I’m sorry,” I offer, swooping in. “We were just talking through the steps as you explain them.”
Betsy nods primly and resumes her instruction. When she turns us loose to practice the sequence she demonstrated with her volunteer, I take advantage of the moment to pull Lauren closer than I should. I let our fingers linger together longer than they’re meant to, and I gently rub my thumb on her waist whenever it’s in my hand.
