Page 77 of All The Ways to Miss You

With her hands latched on her hips, she watches him dart away, disappearing into the crowd. I use the moment to slide in where he left off. When she’s not looking, I grab her waist, spin her until she faces me, and gather her close when a slow song plays by Madonna.

“Here to gloat?” She jerks away, but I refuse to release her.

“No, I’m here to tell you he’s an idiot.”

She relaxes a little. At the tiny concession, I place my hand on the small of her back to control her movements, easing her to sway smoothly with mine.

“He was dancing with the prettiest girl here, and he blew it.”

She gives me a half smile and sighs. “I was having fun. I guess he wasn’t.” Her long-lashed gaze slides away with embarrassment.

“Maybe you were just trying to have fun with the wrong guy.” I want to make her feel better, and I know I’ve succeeded when she shoots me an inquiring look.

“And you know the right guy?”

“Yeah. Me.”

She laughs, but then her teeth tug at her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I think I’d need proof before agreeing to that statement.”

“Challenge accepted.”

I spin her twice before reeling her in close, pressing our hips tight. She locks her arms around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder. If I had a choice, this is where I’d stay all night, but the moment doesn’t last long enough. I’m disappointed when the song’s tempo speeds up, remixing with something upbeat. Cait steps away to start her crazy cat dance again.

“Oh, hell no.” I clasp her hand with mine, tugging her from the dance floor. I can’t allow her to embarrass herself again.

“Am I that awful?” She teeters on her heels behind me until we reach our table.

“Imagine the prettiest girl in the world trying not to slip on ice while playing the air guitar and chewing a jawbreaker.” I cast a glance in her direction, and she laughs.

“That’s true talent.” She beams.

“A talent you should save only for me. Let’s get out of here.” I toss some money on the table to cover our tabs before we collect our coats.

“But . . . Steph.” Cait resists, scanning the fog-filled room.

I point, and Cait’s gaze follows my finger. In a dark corner, Trevor and Steph are tangled in a triple X-rated make-out session.

“I think she’ll be okay,” I say. “Besides, I have a lot to prove to you tonight.”

thirty-five

“Whose place is this?” Cait asks as I tap a security code into a keypad in the foyer. Her gaze is fixed on the modern chandelier hanging above the gleaming marble floor.

“My brother’s. Linden and his wife, Viv, are in Italy.”

“They won’t mind?” She stands in the entryway, clutching her purse and unwilling to move, likely not wanting to break any rules.

“I housesit while they’re away. It’s fine.”

Cait shadows me as I wander through the spacious brownstone, snapping on the lights.

“You want a drink?” I offer.

“Sure.”

In the kitchen, I grab a bottle of merlot, a wine opener, and two glasses. We climb the stairs to the second floor. Cait’s strolling, taking in the fancy artwork and furnishings in the hallway. At the end, I open a door.

“Uh, what’s going on here?” Her nervous gaze flits around the bedroom, but her focus lands on the king-size bed. “I know you’re dying to get rid of your virgin status, but it’s not happening tonight, SpongeBob.”