Page 73
Sutton nods, clearly not worried.
“That it would be a great way for Brewser to not just prove to himself that there’s things he can still do, but it will help him break the news to his friends. They can see what he’s capable of before he tells them that things are going to be changing.”
Sutton nods slowly. “That’s such a great point.”
“So throw a fall themed barn dance. It’ll be the perfect kick off to you teaching more dance lessons here in your very own studio.”
She looks around again, and I watch her closely.
“You like the idea, don’t you?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath and lets it out. “So much. I’ve never even thought of doing this. Not really. Maybe every once in a while, it occurred to me that it would be fun. But I love what I do for Parks and Rec, and I get to teach occasionally there.”
“And you didn’t want to disappoint Nora,” I guess.
She simply presses her lips together and nods.
“Listen,” I say, stepping close. “I don’t want you to feel pressured. George would love you to use the space, and I would love to help you fix it up. I know the gang would love to come out here and dance. But if you’re not ready, I understand.”
She shakes her head as she looks up at me. “I don’t know how you knew before I did, but I am ready.”
I smile. “I’m glad.”
“My friends haven’t even thought of me doing this,” she says. “How did you?”
“They think you’re happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Yes. I guess I just think you could be happier.”
“Oh.”
“And that’s not saying your friends aren’t amazing,” I tell her. “They’re just busy with their own stuff. Working, solving other problems, fixing things.”
“But you’re not?” she asks. “You noticed something they didn’t?”
“Well, in their defense, they’re also not…” I’m not sure I should say this. It will complicate things, for sure. But I’m also not sure I can keep from saying it.
“They’re just not what?” she asks.
“Obsessed with you.”
Again, her lips part in surprise, and she sucks in a little breath.
“Sutton—”
Suddenly she steps forward, pressing against me, her hand sliding up over my chest to the back of my neck and into my hair. She pulls me down, and her lips meet mine before I even know what’s happening.
Yes. Just yes.
She tastes like cinnamon sugar, exactly as I knew she would, and I am simply not powerful enough to resist diving fully into the kiss. Both my hands come up to cup her head, and I tip her to one side while I move the other way to more fully align our mouths.
She gives me a breathy little moan and opens her mouth as I lick over her bottom lip, needing more of her flavor.
“Law,” she says breathlessly against my mouth.
My groan is involuntary, as is the way I start walking her backward, needing a firmer surface for this.
