“Well,” she says, “as much as I’d like to continue kicking Josh’s ass about Starfleet captains, I think we should dance. This band is one of the main reasons I wanted to come here, and right now, they’re going to waste.”
Josh glances over at the dance floor. “I’d rather continue to have my ass kicked, thank you.”
Liam holds up his hand. “Me, too.”
“Tough,” Angel says, smiling as she drags Liam to his feet. “I’ve spent thousands of dollars on dance classes for Liam and me for the wedding, and I aim to get my money’s worth. So, everyone up.”
I grab Josh’s hand. “Our mistress has spoken.”
He grunts in frustration. “Fine, but if I break out my white-hot robot moves, you can’t be embarrassed.”
“It’s ballroom-dancing music, Josh.”
“And your point is . . . ?”
We all head to the dance floor. Liam wraps his arms around Angel, and I put my arms around Josh’s neck. Within a few minutes, we’re all swaying sort of in time to the music.
“Sorry about earlier with Quinn,” Josh says, looking over at Liam and Angel a short distance away. “I should have kept my mouth shut, but . . . I don’t know. Every time I think about him hurting you, it pisses me off.”
I brush some lint off his shoulder. “I’ve learned there’s no point being bitter about it. It won’t change anything. They’re getting married, whether I like it or not.”
Josh looks down at me. “Not necessarily. Have you not noticed the major heat between Angel and me tonight? I’m still predicting she’ll dump Quinn’s moody ass and come over to Team Josh.”
I laugh and hug him. “Your unwavering optimism is one of the many reasons I love you.”
After we dance to a couple of songs, Angel comes over and taps me on the shoulder. “Okay, time for a swap. Despite lessons, Liam’s already trodden on my toes three times. I’m hoping Josh is more graceful.”
As Angel takes Josh’s hand and leads him away, he raises an eyebrow at me and mouths, “See? She wants me.”
I laugh. When I turn around, Liam is there, waiting. He holds out his hands. “Shall we?”
I give him a skeptical look. “I don’t know. Angel tells me you’re dangerous.”
“I promise, I’ll be gentle,” he says as he takes my hands. “Right up until you beg me to be rough.” His mischievous smile does nothing to diminish how my body reacts to that statement. I put one hand on his shoulder as he winds an arm around my waist, and when our palms press together, I can’t help an audible intake of breath. He freezes as well.
“Is this okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod. “Yeah. If it’s okay with you.”
He pulls me a little closer, but makes sure to keep distance between our bodies. “So far, so good. But it’s been a while since I danced with you, so anything could happen. You’re a little taller than I remember.”
“Yes, high heels are a wonderful thing. Unless you try to walk in them. Or dance. Last chance to sit this one out and save yourself.”
He smiles down at me. “Not happening. They’ll have to pry you from my cold, dead hands. Let’s do this.”
We begin to sway. It’s awkward at first, but as we get used to touching each other again, we begin to relax.
“See?” he says, a little breathless. “Nothing to worry about.” He glances over at Angel and Josh. Angel’s laughing and Josh is glaring. Surely they’re not still talking Star Trek. “So, I take it Josh now knows the full story about us?”
“What gave it away? Him calling you an asshole?”
He shrugs. “It was subtle, but I picked up on it.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. I deserved it. To be honest, I expected something like that way before now.”
He adjusts his hand around mine, and I notice how much softer his fingers are these days. No construction work to create calluses, I guess.
“Just so you know,” I say, “those were Josh’s words. Not mine.”
“You don’t think I’m an asshole?”
“No. Like Angel said earlier, you can’t help who you fall in love with. And she’s an amazing woman. I can see why you’d choose her.”
For a second, his fingers tighten around my hand, then they release. “That’s a pretty mature attitude. Can’t say I’d be as understanding if I were in your position.”
“Sure you would.”
His expression turns dark. “I really wouldn’t. Trust me. I’m still recovering from you having a boyfriend. Well, ex.”
Before I have time to ask what that means, he sighs and gives me a smile. “Anyway, let’s see how you cope with me taking this dancing thing up a notch. I have moves that will blow your mind. Brace yourself.”