Page 30 of Love Among Vines

“You weren’t exaggerating.”

“Nope. So it’s a good thing this is temporary or I’d probably be proposing to you tomorrow.”

He laughed. “Are you ready?” He paused with one hand on a side entrance to the ballroom.

She nodded. “Let’s get it over with.”

As they opened the door, the DJ transitioned to “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra.

“Oh man, you are so in luck,” he said, dragging her to the dance floor.

“Why?”

“My mom was obsessed with this song. And like the Hollywood socialite she was, she insisted that I take ballroom dance lessons. We’re about to impress some old people. Just follow my lead.”

Ashley’s parents box-stepped by them. Tracey waved cheerily as if she hadn’t just resuscitated a groomsman at her daughter’s wedding.

Nate and his crew of tuxedo-wearing buffoons were huddled around a table watching something on his phone—probably football. Patricia had taken a break from reaming everyone outto chug some champagne. Ashley was nowhere to be found. Hopefully she was accidentally dipping her reception dress in the toilet.

Rett took Jade’s waist and placed her other hand in his. She wasn’t a complete klutz, but she had certainly never been a ballroom dancer. With his hand in hers though, she glided across the dance floor, twirling and box-stepping across the polished floor. His hand was warm on her hip, and she followed his gentle guidance like she was reading a book in a language only the two of them understood.

They locked eyes as he shepherded her around the dance floor. She was dimly aware of some of the other attendees looking at them, but their interest didn’t matter. Patricia could lob a Molotov cocktail onto the dance floor and Jade wouldn’t even notice. All that mattered was this moment, spinning in a wrinkly dress on the arm of a winemaking stud. The first gentleman she’d met in a long time.

Oh, hell. She was romanticizing her life again. Had she learned nothing? If she didn’t pump the brakes, she was going to catch feelings for this guy and then have her life ruined again when he didn’t need her anymore.

Just as she made a conscious decision to put some distance between them, the song came to a stop. She breathed a sigh of relief as there was a smattering of applause. She jumped and looked around, but it seemed like everyone was clapping for them. Drunk Jade curtsied and turned back to Rett with the intention of yanking him off the dance floor. They had made their point. And if someone still wanted to accuse her of being pathetic, that was on them.

But the DJ was back with another banger. “At Last” by Etta James melted out of the speakers.

“Oh, I love this song,” they said at the same time.

Okay, universe. Relax.

“One more dance?”

She nodded, and they came back together. Closer this time. His grip was lower than the last song, strong fingers brushing the top of her ass beneath the silk dress. Her toes curled.

They swayed together, dangerously close under the flashing lights. He spun her out and locked eyes as he pulled her back.

Maybe it was just the alcohol, but her brain seemed to have shut off entirely. She had never danced like this with anyone, let alone a complete stranger. Grinding in a dimly lit club was one thing, but this was something else. He took charge, effortlessly steering her around. Her fingers itched to pop the buttons on that waistcoat.

As the chorus swelled for the last time, he dipped her so low her breath caught in her chest. There was fire in his eyes as he held her. Slowly, so slowly, he lifted her back up.

The chemistry between them was indescribable. Every atom between them vibrated at a frequency she felt deep in her bones. Something was bound to spontaneously catch on fire. Or at the very least, her nipples would cut straight through this flimsy satin dress.

Her arms wound around his neck, and she nudged herself closer. His face was tipped down to hers, just centimeters away.

“And now please join us in the eastern corner of the ballroom where our bride and groom will cut their cake,” the DJ announced.

Stupid cockblocking DJ.

Rett pulled back and smiled. “Ready to go?”

Did he mean ready to leave so they didn’t run into anyone at the house? Or ready to rip her dress off in the parking lot? Either way, she would follow him through a tunnel made of barbed wire and scattered Legos.

“Definitely.” She barely gave the corner a passing glance on their way to the exit.

Nate smashed a fistful of cake directly in Ashley’s face. The crowd chuckled. Jade shook her head and pushed through the doors.

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