“Go team,” he mumbled, looking at my lips. “What reward do I get for completing my tasks, boss?”
“You’ll find out tonight.”
His lips curled. “Sounds promising. But before I lose you to the defender of the free world, we have something important to tackle.”
I raised a brow. “Like what?”
His hand tangled in mine, and he dropped his gaze to my feet. “Sneakers are probably best.”
“So long as we aren’t running.” I ached everywhere.
“No, Cora. We’re dancing.”
Ugh. Save me.
“Two, three, four,” Rebecca counted with a steady clap to emphasize the beat.
My feet tangled with Hudson’s. Again. Harry shook his head as he demonstrated a perfect dance with a ghost of a woman. “Like this, Miss Roberts.”
“Easy for you to say. It’s literally impossible for you to trip over each other.”
“Stop making excuses and pay attention,” Rebecca snapped.
“This is ridiculous. I just want my cookies.”
“You keep trying to lead,” Hudson pointed out with a gentle squeeze of my hand. “Let me do the work. You just relax.”
My lips twitched. “I’m having déjà vu.” Heat flared in his gaze.Ah-ha.“You want to ditch this ridiculousness for a replay?”
“Not a chance,” Rebecca said.
“This is a lost cause,” Sebastian muttered.
“Agreed. We can forgo the first dance,” I decided. “I can carry on my day and munch on the cookies you’re holding hostage.” I sent a glare toward Dave and Maggie sitting by the window.
Rebecca frowned at me in horror. “No, we just need you to stop trying to dominate.”
I released Hudson’s hand and stepped away. “I can do basic but unscripted dancing. This is too stuffy. The problem isn’t in the steps; it’s in the planning.”
“We could try a different song?” Maggie suggested.
Dave snorted. “It’s not the music that’s the issue. It’s the dancer.”
“Enough from the peanut gallery.” Dave grinned and tossed a mini cookie in his mouth. I pointed at him. “Don’t you dare eat my cookies.”
Was it really a crime if you killed someone munching on your treats? I thought not. The wards clanged, warning of an approaching visitor. Elemental... I took another step away from the synchronized farce. “Duty calls,” I muttered as a knock sounded at the door.
“This isn’t over,” Rebecca declared.
“I’ll call the sheriff,” Hudson said.
I snatched a cookie before throwing open the door. Oh goodie, one of my to-dos had walked herself up to my house. “Marcia, good timing. I was about to send him back to you.”
She strode past me and scanned the room with a frown. “A little privacy?”
I swept my hand toward the stairs, and we piled into my office. Bella was curled up on my desk, her gaze lasered on Pete. How did the damned cat get in here? I was sure I’d shut the door.
“Is that safe?” Marcia wondered, pointing at Bella.
