Page 17 of Surprisingly Us

“The redhead.”

I nod. “Sure, I’ll keep my distance.”

“Great!” She glances around the ballroom. “Let’s see. Just a few more.”

“You’re losing me, Princess.”

Her gaze darts back to mine. “Princess?”

“New nickname since you didn’t like the old one.”

She scoffs. “I don’t like that one either.”

But I love the way her cheeks pinken when I call her princess, so I’m going to keep calling her it.

Her gaze drifts over to a group of women. I can see it written on her face. She’s not talking to me because she had a burning desire to reconnect. I get it now. She’s on a mission.

If I’m understanding this correctly, Hannah has sent Lettie to keep an eye on me. To prevent me from hooking up with anyone at the wedding. Lettie is here to cock-block me. Trouble is, she’s the prettiest cock-blocker I’ve ever seen.

“Hannah asked you to keep an eye on me.” My lips twitch.

Her eyes widen but she nods. “She doesn’t want you sleeping with any of the guests.”

With my reputation, it’s a valid concern. Funny thing is, I’m on my best behavior now. But Lettie doesn’t know that. And there’s something about the fact that she’s been tasked with the chore of babysitting me that is amusing.

“Sure. I understand.”

Relief washes over her face, and her beaming smile is back.

“Thank you, Rhys.” She places her hand on my arm. Her touch is light, yet I feel the spark of it through both my shirt and jacket. “It was nice to see you.”

“Likewise.” So very nice.

She turns to leave and I already feel the loss of her presence. That’s when it occurs to me, it would be too easy to agree and let her go, so I opt for messing with her instead.

I take a sip of my drink, not letting her get far before I add, “I’ll behave myself, if you dance with me.”

CHAPTER 5

Colette

Rhys’s request to dance has me stopping in my tracks.

I turn around to meet his gaze. Those hazel eyes surrounded by flecks of gold. His dark brows raised in challenge.

“One dance?” I ask.

In response, he sets his lowball glass on the table nearby, then takes my hand to lead me toward the dance floor. The band is playing a cover of an upbeat pop song and the guests on the dance floor have made a large circle where they’re taking turns dancing out to the middle to display their moves.

Rhys and I join the group, watching on the periphery as Hunter pulls Sophie out into the middle for a sweet, two-step move. In preparation for their wedding in a few months, they’ve been taking dance lessons and now they’re showing off their skills. They look so good together.

Hunter and Sophie finish their move and dance over to rejoin the crowd. Rhys tugs on my hand, but before we can make it to the center, the song fades out and the band immediately transitions into a slow ballad.

Using our joined hands, Rhys spins me to face him.

“May I have this dance?” he asks.

“Do I have a choice?” I quip.

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