Page 104 of Puck and Prejudice

Jane walks over. “How’s everything going?”

“Fine,” I say.

“Terrible,” Jackson replies at the same time. “Your sister sucks at teaching.”

I put my hands on my hips. “I don’t suck! You’re not paying attention.”

He ignores me and turns to Jane. “Can you teach me?”

“Sure.”

I step aside and let Jane show Jackson the steps again. After a few tries, he finally gets it right.

“There you go. You’re doing great.” Jane smiles.

“Thanks.” He looks at me with an air of vindication. “See? All I needed was a better teacher.”

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “After I spent the last thirty minutes going over the steps, you were due to finally get them right.”

“So that’s it, then? We’re done here?”

I snort, while Jane laughs in a more ladylike fashion, and replies, “That was just the first Sevillana.”

His eyebrows shoot up, and it’s comical. “What do you mean, the first? How many are there?”

“Four. And the first is the easiest one.” I smirk.

Jackson’s expression falls, and I feel bad for him. “You’re kidding me. I’ll never learn in time for the wedding.”

“Oh, you’ll be fine. Izzie can give you extra lessons.”

I throw Jane a glower. “I have a life, you know.”

“That’s fine. I’m sure I can find some lessons online,” Jackson chimes in.

Yeah, like he’d be able to learn from YouTube videos in less than a week. I know this is a set-up, but I don’t want Jackson to mess up the dance.

“Oh, I’ll teach you.” I wave my hand dismissively.

“Don’t do me any favors.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Jane slink away. Yeah, I fell for her trap, but the butterflies in my stomach won’t let me be too mad about it.

ChapterForty-Two

JACKSON

After the dance lessons, I head to a nearby bar to have drinks with the guys. I’m the last one to arrive, thanks to spending an extra twenty minutes going over some steps with Izzie and Jane. The place isn’t too crowded, and I find everyone hanging out by the bar.

I make a beeline to Chad. He thinks he’s so smart. Like I didn’t realize the whole flamenco lesson was a ploy to get me to spend time with Izzie. I didn’t tell him exactly what went down between us in her family’s stable last month, just that I wasn’t seeing her anymore. I’m sure he heard the details from Jane.

He’s laughing about something Frederico said when our gazes meet. “Hey, Jackson.”

“Cut the crap. I have a bone to pick with you.”

His eyes widen innocently, but the corners of his lips twitch up. “What did I do?”

“Oh, don’t play that card with me. I know you and Jane are playing Cupid.”

---