Page 50 of The Jellybean Dilemma

“Why are you doing this?” I whispered. The butterflies were back, doing a tango in my midsection, and I could barely hear my voice over my pulse pounding in my ears.

“Because my life is better with you in it,” he whispered back. He kissed my forehead and strode off to the other limo, leaving me to question everything.

Our first stop was a cute bar on this side of town called The Funky Parrot. It had a tropical theme, overlooked Lake Superior, and was one of Mandy’s favorite places. She linked arms with me and Erin as we sashayed in. Music blared. I didn’t recognize the song but loved the heavy beat. The inside was done up with lots of clean lines and stainless steel, so the flashing, colored lights reflected off the shiny surfaces.

“Shots!” Erin called, dragging us to the bar. She bought us each a shot of tequila to get things started, complete with lime and a saltshaker. We downed them on the count of three.

I made a face, hurrying to bite the lime, which didn’t make it much better. My next drink was a Jack and Coke which I was happy to sip.

Cardi B came on, and Mandy squealed. “I love this song! Let’s dance!”

The alcohol hadn’t kicked in enough for that yet. I held up my drink. “Maybe in a few.”

She frowned, but Erin looped her arm through Mandy’s, and they danced their way to the middle of the floor.

“Can I get a glass of water too?” I shouted to the bartender. After he slid it to me, I took a long drink, turning sideways to watch the girls dance.

A low, familiar voice spoke behind me. “Are you a parking ticket?” Greg waited for me to turn around before continuing, “Because you’ve got fine written all over you.” His dopey smile brought out his adorable dimple, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Chapter Fifteen

“What was that?” I asked.

Greg plopped onto the bar stool next to me. “A pick-up line. I’m hitting on you.”

My stomach flipped at the idea, though I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. For him. “What are you doing here?” I sipped on my drink, unable to stop smiling.

“Besides hitting on the prettiest girl in the room?” The intensity of his gaze made me duck my head, until he added, “Just going where Peter wanted to.”

I bumped him with my shoulder. “Stalker.”

He spun around to order a rum and Coke, glancing back at me. “I know I said it before, but you really do look beautiful in that dress.”

“Thank you,” I said slowly, getting the feeling he wasn’t quite finished.

His smirk told me I was right. “Know what else you’d look beautiful in? My arms.” He winked and took a drink.

Laughter spilled out of me, and I couldn’t turn away from him. This new side of him held an irresistible charm that pulled me in like a magnet.

“Do you like my shirt?” He leaned over so I could feel it, waiting for my nod. “It’s boyfriend material.”

I snorted, clamping a hand over my mouth.

Even he couldn’t keep a straight face at my reaction. Then he changed the subject. “Why aren’t you dancing?”

“I hadn’t been hit on enough yet. My confidence was lacking.” He laughed at my deadpan delivery, but then I told him the truth. “The alcohol hadn’t kicked in, and dancing was never my strong suit.”

His eyebrows shot up. “I seem to remember lots of dance classes in someone’s younger days. Leotards and tap shoes, tutus and tights.”

I blinked at him. “Tchaikovsky didn’t prepare me to dance to this.”

Shaking his head, he signaled the bartender. “Six pineapple upside-down cakes, please.” Then he disappeared, coming back with the rest of our crew.

We all lined up, tossing back the overly sweet shot. I grimaced afterward since pineapple wasn’t my favorite, but Greg’s fingers laced through mine, and he tugged me toward the floor.

“Greg—” I started to protest.

“Dance with me if I’m wrong, but dinosaurs still roam the earth, right?” His eyebrows bounced up and down as we moved closer to the floor.

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