Finn watched Linc push his way between Mallory and Jessie. Both women shook their heads and laughed. Then almost shimmied up to him. He had to admit Linc was pretty good with the two-step. The women ate it up, surrounding him like he was their favorite dessert. Linc was loving it.
Damn it all to hell. Finn got up. “Need to use the head.”
Behind him, Caleb and Dex’s laughter followed him.
Finn made it to the men’s room. Thankfully, it was empty. Because no one needed to see the hard-on he had. Hopefully, splashing cold water on his face and thinking murderous thoughts about Linc would get it under control.
He walked out just as the band changed gears into something slow and steady. The lights dimmed. People were slowly leaving the dance floor. Dex had already asked Autumn to dance. Will and Colt had their women on the dance floor. Mallory was in Linc’s arms.
Mia and Joy were talking at the edge. He glanced over at Caleb. His eyes were locked on Mia, but he didn’t move. Just watched. Finn wondered what was going on with those two. They danced around each other every time they were in the same place.
His gaze drifted until he found her. Lainey had stepped away from the group, standing just off the dance floor, sipping her drink.
He didn’t think. Just stood. Walked toward her before he could talk himself out of it.
“Dance?”
Lainey looked up at him but didn’t speak at first. Then she smiled and set her glass down.
He held out his hand. She took it.
It was cool from the drink. On the floor, his hand settled at the small of her back. She placed her palm on his shoulder. They started slowly.
She fit against him like she always had. Familiar.
His fingers tightened slightly against her spine, drawing her closer.
The music dropped away. There were only the two of them in a dance so familiar that it washed over him like a wave. Lainey. Him. Senior night. Making love.
She looked up at him. Eyes dark and full of want. Lips parted.
Then he leaned in.
Brushed his mouth against hers. Soft. Testing.
She didn’t pull away.
Instead, she tipped forward, lips parted. And he kissed her like he had the last night they spent together. He kissed her as if she were his future. And she kissed him back.
By the time the song ended, Finn knew one thing for sure.
Lainey was his, and he wasn’t walking away again.
Lainey didn’t move awaywhen the song ended.
Couldn’t.
Her heart was pounding so hard, she was sure he could feel it. Finn’s arms were still around her, a familiar warmth.
She should step back. Say something. Make a joke. Something to put the space back between them.
But while her mind was working overtime, her body had other plans.
It was too easy to stand there, tucked in his arms. Safe. Comforting.
But ten years had passed. And that kiss had felt like a memory and a promise all at once. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for either.
“You okay?” Finn’s voice was low, right at her temple.
