Page 5 of The Catch

“It is when there’s a hurricane.”

“Mmm. Touché.”

“What about you?”

“I work for a victim’s advocacy organization.” She paused to chew on her straw. “And I just finished law school.”

Interesting.She was definitely a few years younger than him, but not young enough to still be in school. The way she said it indicated there was a story there. He added it to the list of things he found intriguing about her. Like the way her eyes had a fire to them, even though her fingers were twisting nervously in the fabric of her skirt. He imagined it would be a cold day in hell before Cat admitted any weak spots.

“I bet you’ll make a good lawyer,” he hedged.

“Oh yeah? Why do you say that?”

“You have this whole take no prisoners thing going on.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I can just see it.”

Pink crept up her neck, and she dipped her head. “I’ve heard that before. Not as a compliment.”

“I meant it as one.”

“I know you did.”

The crowd around them grew thicker with more people vying for the bartender’s attention, and Josh noticed the music had had a change in mood. A familiar guitar riff, something he recognized from high school dances and romantic scenes on television, filled the air. The strobe lights tapered off into a warm glow. The ambiance seemed to shift to accommodate the moment, and he wasn’t going to waste it. “Do you think my girlfriend would mind if I asked you to dance, Cat?”

She smiled and leaned into his ear, making his blood rush. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, Josh,” she said. “But I think you’re about to break up.”

Josh followed her gaze and saw Dylan’s arm wrapped around Dani. He wasn’t surprised in the least. “Is that a yes?”

“Okay. Yes.”

They waded through a wall of sweat and hot breath to an open spot on the floor, and he pulled her into his arms, letting his fingers splay over the soft curve of her hip, his other hand holding hers against his chest. With her waist tucked in the crook of his arm, she felt smaller than before. Her head barely brushed his chin, and he imagined the way he’d have to duck down to kiss her, how she’d push to her toes to meet him. The way her eyes kept darting to his mouth made him think that maybe she was picturing it too.

“So, where would you be if you weren’t outvoted?” he asked. “What’s a Cat type of place?”

“A Cat type of place is my couch with a glass of wine.”

“Sounds exclusive. What’s the dress code?”

She laughed. “Pajamas, of course.”

“Do they serve food?”

“There’s a drawer full of takeout menus. Open all night.” The scent of coconut and sun-kissed skin drifted from her, and he leaned closer, chasing it. “I’m making myself sound like a hermit,” she said. “I’m not.”

“No. I get it. That sounds like a good place.” He squeezed her hand and tipped his head to the couple beside them. The man’s hand had disappeared under the woman’s skirt while they danced and slobbered all over each other. “Though, not as romantic as this.”

“Oh my God. Gross.”

He laughed at the way her face twisted. “Don’t judge. We might be watching a true love connection here.”

“Or the beginning of a very bad decision. Oh, no.” Cat clutched his shirt nervously as they watched the man attempt to dip the woman. Miraculously, he pulled it off without dropping her, but it only made him more confident. His next move was way too advanced, and his dance partner lost her footing and stumbled on her wedge sandals. Her cup sloshed toward them.

Josh twisted Cat out of the way, but his shirt caught most of the woman’s drink.

“I’m so sorry,” the woman slurred.

“It’s fine,” he said, waving her off. He looked at Cat. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Your shirt…” She was trying to look concerned, but he could tell she was holding in a laugh.

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