His arms tightened around me. “I’m glad you feel that way, because there’s been something I’ve wanted to say to you.”
I drew back enough to look into his eyes. “Yeah?”
He opened his mouth, but a tap on my shoulder made us both turn.
“Let a couple of old ladies cut in,” Iola said.
“Oh, but—” I started to say.
Iola grabbed my arm, tugging me to the right. Lula grabbed Damon’s shoulders, pushing him the other way.
“Maverick!” Damon called over her head.
I strained to see him as Iola forced me into an awkward fox trot.
He said something, but the words were swept away by Iola’s chatter about her matchmaking business. Something about Jamie signing up?
“What?” I called.
He broke away from Lula, making her huff, and took two long strides toward us. He tapped Iola’s shoulder, and she broke off talking to send him a glare. “I haven’t even had one dance yet!”
“Sorry, but you kind of interrupted a moment.” He reached for me. “Maverick?—”
“So rude!” Iola blustered. “Young people have no sense of decency.”
Damon raised his voice over her complaints. “I just want to say… that is I’m trying?—”
A group of chattering girls swept by, laughing loudly. He groaned in frustration. “Why does the universe hate me?”
I laughed. “What did you want to say?”
“Honestly, Damon,” Lula said. “Spit it out already. We’ve got dancing to do!”
He rolled his eyes up, as if begging a higher power for patience, then locked them on me. A determined look came over his face.
“I was going to do this in private, but obviously, there’s always someone meddling in this town. It’s a gossipy, vicious cycle.”
“An ugly characterization,” Iola said with a sniff.
Lula waved her hand. “Shh! He’s about to propose!”
“I’m not proposing!” he exclaimed. “Oh god, maybe I should give up now.”
I choked on a laugh. “Don’t worry, I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Oh, I know! He wants to tell you—” Lula started.
“I love you!” he blurted. “Before Lula says it for me, I want to tell you. I really love you, Mav.”
A huge smile broke out over my face. I couldn’t even be bothered that Iola and Lula were shamelessly eavesdropping. “Really?”
“Really, sweetheart.” He moved in to cup my face as Iola finally shuffled aside. “You’re it for me.”
By this point, the attention of most of the room was on us. For those who missed it, Iola turned and said loudly, “He said he loves him. I made their match. Matchmaking Mamas. You’ll find true love like them if you sign up for our service! Www.match…”
The rest of her words faded into the background as I kissed him.
“I love you too,” I murmured against his lips. “Even if you are a huge pain in the ass.”
