Page 32 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

Matt shot a menacing glare at Grumps who was looking very satisfied with himself. Then Matt gave me the full weight of his stare. He wasn’t pleased with me either.

“Good. Matthew, let’s be on our way.” Grumps nodded his head at me and turned away.

Matt exhaled slowly before taking my hand in his. “Bloody hell. If I had known this was going to happen,” He sighed and rubbed his fingers over my knuckles. “I’m going to get Grumps settled in at mine but I’ll wait up for you so don’t be late, poppet. I’ve missed spending time with you.”

I squeezed his hand, silently marvelling at his features. The only description for him would be perfection, and he was all mine.

“I’ve missed you too, hon. I promise not to be too late.” I leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Oh and your grandfather used his connections to drag the Director of the Royal Ballet down here tonight. Please don’t think I’m a hypocrite for being happy about that.”

Matt grinned at me. “Never. See? There are benefits to being my woman.”

The smile stayed on my face, even as I worried about my willingness to allow the use of Grumps’s connections. I uneasily pushed the thought to the back of my mind. I didn’t want to become one of those people, the ones who used their association with others to further themselves…instead of working for it.

“Madi?” Matt called and my wandering gaze jerked back to his face. “You looked like you were miles away.”

“I’m just tired, Matt, and you must be exhausted. Go. I promise not to stay too late. I have to go tell Dante about this new development.”

“Call me when you’re leaving.” Matt ordered.

I nodded quickly, gave him another brief kiss and waved to Grumps. I got my second smile from him before I turned away from them and hurried away. Ok. I had forgiven him for Matt’s sakes. Matt thought I was unaware of the sadness he felt over the distance between them, but I wasn’t. I had technically forgiven Grumps, yet I would never forget. Not the way Grumps had looked at me, not the way he had spoken to me. No, it would be fool-hardy to forget. If Matt’s parents could put on such an act at that restaurant…well, I was certain Grumps could be just as devious. No, I wouldn’t forget, even though he’d chosen a hell of a good way to make things up to me.

“Dante, my office, now.” I called when I was close enough to the group.

Eddie let out a loud ‘ohhhh, sounds like trouble’ and everyone laughed. Dante looked at me, a searching sort of look as he asked Liam to oversee the orderly exit of the remaining people in our auditorium.

Behind the closed door of my office I filled him in on what had transpired. “So?” I pressed when he remained silent. “What do you think?”

Dante ran a hand over his braided hair and licked his lips. “I - that’s - damn, Madi. That’s the best news I’ve ever heard. Are you serious?”

I nodded as his mouth widened into a grin. “Should we initiate a professional relationship with him? I mean, I don’t know if he wants to - this is big.” And it was. This was the stuff dreams were made of. This could be our chance to make a name for ourselves. I wrung my hands together and leaned against the filing cabinet. “My only issue is the way it all came about. It’s like the donation Matt made to the company. I feel,” My words trailed off softly. How did I feel about it? The only reason this had occurred was due to my relationship withMatt.

“Are you kidding me?” Dante almost shouted. “I don’t care how or why. This is what we’ve been working towards, Madi. Do you have any idea what this could potentially mean for us? For our company?”

I nodded slowly and observed the building excitement on his face.

“Look,” Dante tried to appease my worry. “I get you might feel a bit uncomfortable with the whole using of connections thing, but sweet cheeks, come on! The Royal Ballet? You have to call.”

Dante was practically jumping with glee and it was infectious. I started smiling once more, thinking of what could be.

“It’s a good thing, right?” I twisted my hair around and searched the top of my desk for a scrunchie.

“Good thing? It’s the best.” Dante responded. “Man. If I’d known you sexing a rich white man would’ve gotten us to this stage, I would’ve pimped your sweet ass out ages ago.”

“That’s just wrong,” I groused at my best friend. “Sexist and so wrong, and do I have to remind you that I am engaged? It’s more than just sexing.” I found the scrunchie and pulled my hair into a high ponytail seconds before Dante grabbed me in a bear hug and spun us around the office. “Put me down, you clown.” I laughed as I gripped his shoulders to avoid falling out his grip.

“We’re celebrating tonight. Let’s get the guys and hit the boozer. I am feeling a serious pub crawl.” Dante didn’t let me down. “Start at the Cutty Sark Tavern, then we can move on to Ashburnham Arms. I like the ales there.”

“Lisa wants to go to the Old Brewery, and you know she’s the pub queen.” I reminded him, then remembered Matt would be waiting up for me at his place. “Aw man, I can only have half a pint. I’m driving.”

“What? Leave your car, that’s what everyone else is doing. You can pick it up tomorrow.” Dante finally lowered me to the floor. “We’re celebrating tonight.”

“I can’t. I have to drive to Matt’s later.” I explained.

“Sweet cheeks,” Dante said in his most persuasive tone.

“I can’t.” I resisted, even though I could already visualize how much fun it would be. “Matt flew back from Russia today. He’s been gone two weeks! No, don’t even give me those puppy dog eyes. Ican’t stay out.”

“A few hours, four pints and get the tube.” he offered.

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