“Hey, I told Lina that we’d be home by eleven.”
Lina was Maddox and Peyton’s long-lost daughter. She was babysitting Hannah, Bella, and Lexi tonight. The girls were having their weekly sleepover.
“Alright, well, happy birthday, man.”
“Yeah, happy birthday, Nick.” Peyton smiled.
“Thanks for putting this together, guys. I really appreciate it. Love you, guys.” I gave them both hugs and then watched as they left holding hands.
Maddox was right. I was the last man standing. A few months ago, I would have worn that title like a badge of honor. But now it just made me sad. Settling down was never something I’d given any thought to. For so many years, I’d been laser-focused on work. Then, when Bella came into my life, I was laser focused on her. My life had always felt full. But since Skye came in, I felt like I was missing something.
It could be my age. It could be everything that was going on with my mom. Or it could be love. I didn’t have the answer to that. But I did know one thing. I was not going to let this night end without asking the most beautiful woman in the room—hell in the world—for a dance.
As I crossed the room, I felt my pulse speed up and my palms dampen. I’d never been nervous to speak to a woman, but Skye made me feel that way. It wasn’t just that I didn’t know what she was going to say; it was that whatever it was mattered too much. When she’d turned down my invitation to Alex’s wedding, I’d felt it like a physical blow.
I’d made it halfway across the room when Jada must have noticed me coming because she excused herself, leaving Skye alone. Her hair was down, framing her face in soft waves. The off-the-shoulder black dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places.
When Jada left, her eyes scanned the room. She took a short intake of breath when they landed on me. She licked her lips as I stopped in front of her, and my cock stirred in my pants.
“You didn’t leave without saying goodbye.”
She smiled. “I pinky promised.”
“Do you want another drink?” From what I’d seen, she’d been nursing a vodka soda for two hours.
“No, I’m good, thanks.” She set her empty cup down and started scanning the room.
I was pretty sure that she was trying to find her ride. She’d come with Rihanna and Kurt. I knew exactly where they were. I’d been keeping an eye on them all night since they were her ride.
“It looks like they’ve gotten friendly.” I tilted my chin toward the dark corner booth where Kurt and Rihanna were making out. The two were all over each other.
She followed the direction of my eyes and smiled. “Yes, they are very friendly.”
We stood in silence. I had so many things going through my head, but I didn’t know what to say. All night, all I’d wanted to do was be with her, and now that I had the chance, I was blowing it.
“This is a great party. Are you having fun?” she asked.
“I am. But do you know what would make it perfect?”
Her lips parted, and she sucked in a little breath. “What?”
I held my hand out to her. “If you would let me have this dance.”
She looked around the space. “But no one is dancing.”
I didn’t respond; I just kept my hand extended. After a few seconds, she placed her hand in mine, and I pulled her against me. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she rested her hand on my shoulder. The moment she was in my arms, that sinking pit in my stomach went away.
Maybe Maddox was right. Maybe being in love made you sick when you weren’t with the person you loved. I couldn’t believe that I was forty and didn’t know the answer to that.
We swayed to the music, and my hands rested on her lower back. Every cell in my body was alive with awareness as we moved together. If this dance lasted all night, I would be a happy man. This was all that I wanted. Well, not all that I wanted…
“You look so beautiful tonight.”
“Oh, thanks. I got this dress as a costume for Callie’s Halloween party.”
“When I saw you in it, you reminded me of one of my favorite movies.”
She tilted her head up toward me. “What movie?”
