The truth slipped out before I could stop it. “My ex told me I wasutterly unambitious. He said I’d never take a real risk.” My voice was sour with the memory. “So I saw you across the bar and took one.”
Dean nodded. “People say crap like that because they’rescared you’ll do something they never could. Trust me,” he added softly, “I know the type.”
A comfortable silence settled between us as I wondered if we had more in common than I’d thought.
“I’m not usually this reckless,” I admitted.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Good. You’ll need your wits to survive this weekend.” His fingertips skated over my knuckles, and this time, it didn’t feel like an act at all.
Across the room, Holly caught my eye and lifted her glass in a salute. For the first time since arriving, I felt something other than dread. I felt hope. And a little bit of fire.
Dean’s gaze was steady. “Ready to make them all jealous?”
“Absolutely.” I let him pull me into the crowd, two halves of a perfect, improbable lie. For now, I was exactly where I wanted to be.
