Twist after twist, my laughter spilled out, bright and breathless. He moved with a kind of ease that was addictive. When he finally pulled me back in, my chest collided against his, and I was dizzy from more than just the motion.
“I’m having so much fun,” I gasped between laughs.
“You’re learning fast,” he replied, his hand still on my back, his touch firm and reassuring.
We slipped into a two-step rhythm, I wasn’t sure what that was before tonight, but my body was learning it now—memorizing the way he moved and trusting him to guide me.
Then he spun me one last time and caught me.
Only this time, he dipped me low, my head arched back, hair brushing the air. My leg lifted instinctively, and Logan’s hand slid beneath my thigh, catching it with a firm grip. His fingertips grazed my skin as he held me there, breathless, suspended. His face hovered close to mine, lips barely apart, breath warm against my mouth.
I could feel him—all of him—the solid strength of his arms, the warmth of his chest against mine. His cowboy hat cast a shadow across his face, but I could still see the hunger in his eyes. That flicker of something deeper, darker, more dangerous than friendship.
My heart thundered. My breath caught.
And for a fleeting second… I almost leaned in.
But I didn’t.
This was Logan, my best friend.
I stayed frozen in that breathless, aching space between what we were and what wecouldbe, mesmerized by the storm I saw in his eyes.
25
ELLIE
“All right, I need a breather,” I panted, hands braced on my knees as I tried to catch my breath.
We’d danced through the entire set, and though there was one more to go, I was seriously questioning if I had the stamina to survive it. My legs ached, sweat clung to the back of my neck, and my cheeks actually hurt from smiling.
Somehow, I’d gotten the hang of line dancing. Maybe I’d been a little dramatic back in high school when I swore I’d never do it again, because right now? I was having fun.
Logan was a big part of that.
His easy laughter, his confident steps, and the way he never once let me falter without a hand, a word, or a glance kept me both grounded and giddy all at once.
We made our way off the dance floor, and to my relief, the same two stools we’d sat in earlier were still free. Terry and Janet—our neighboring couple—remained in their seats, looking just as amused and buzzed as before.
With a groan, I dropped onto my stool, then dramatically flopped over the bar top, resting my cheek on my crossed arms.
A warm hand touched my back.
“Told you you’d get it.” Logan’s voice was thick with pride.
I turned my head just enough to peer at him from the corner of my eye and found him smiling down at me.
“You can do anything you set your mind to, Ace.” Logan’s hand ran down my back before he straightened up and signaled the bartender for another round.
He was so calm, so effortless, and somehow, always saying just the right thing.
“You two definitely aren’t from around here,” Terry commented, his gruff voice cutting through the moment as he leaned back against the bar beside me.
I sat up slowly, brushing my hair out of my face. “What gave it away?”
Terry smirked. “You don’t sound like us,” he said. “And trust me, locals don’t get that excited over her line dancing or this bar.”
I laughed. “Fair point. I’m Ellie,” I added, reaching out a hand. He shook it warmly.
