“So,” he says after a moment, “do I get that second chance?”
I should say no.
But my mouth has other ideas. It splits into a smile I don’t control, that I can’t rein back in. “We’ll see.”
He smiles back, like he knows I’m full of crap and he’s already mushed all the contempt in my heart.
The song ends, and Ryder lets me go, stepping back.
The loss of his physical warmth and support is immediate and jarring. It leaves me disoriented.
He tips an imaginary hat at me. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Rose.”
And then he winks, turns, and disappears into the crowd.
Gone.
Just like that.
I stand rooted to the spot, staring after him like an idiot. My palm tingles. My hip still blisters. And my entire body thrums with… I don’t even know what with.
What just happened?
The question circles in my head like a dog chasing its tail. Was he just apologizing? Did he put on this show only to tell me he was sorry? Are apology dances a thing here?
That can’t be all it was.
The music picks up again, transitioning into an upbeat number that has the dance floor filling back up. I’m jostled sideways by a passing dancer.
I should go back to my friends and pretend the last ten minutes of my life didn’t happen. I elbow my way to where they have snatched a table.
“Holy cows.” Rebecca appears at my side. “What the hell was that?”
“I have no idea.” It’s the most honest thing I’ve said all night.
“That was the most intense vertical foreplay I’ve ever witnessed,” Lila adds, fanning herself. “I thought you two were going to combust on the dance floor.”
“We were just talking.” Even I don’t believe the words.
“Uh-huh.” Alejandra joins us, bringing Aurora with her. “About favorite sex positions, from the looks of it.”
“What? No! He’s the father of one of my students.” I swallow past a dry mouth. “We had a thing a few days ago.”
“Aaaah.” Rebecca teases. “The misunderstanding.”
“He was apologizing.”
“With his hand on your ass?” Aurora asks.
“It was on my back.”
“Super lower back,” Rebecca corrects with a grin. “Borderline ass territory.”
“You’re still blushing,” Aurora says.
“It’s hot in here.”
“Uh-huh.” Lila’s teasing is merciless. “That’s definitely why.”
