Page 5 of What if It's Us

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that.”

Not really.

I mean I’m sorry she seems upset but I’m glad she’s single.

If I could just work up the nerve to ask her out.

“No, I’m sorry, Ledger,” Marlee says, waving her hand dismissively. “I didn’t mean to get all sad and depressed on you. You just…showed up at the wrong time I guess.”

Any other time I’m around Marlee, I’m a nervous wreck and feel like I say the wrong thing. But tonight, seeing her a bit emotional, my nerves dissipate and the need to help her feel better overcomes me. Holding out my hand to her, I catch her gorgeous blue eyes with mine and offer a different perspective. “Or maybe I showed up at exactly the right time. Dance with me?”

Her eyes brighten and her brows arch. “Really? You’re asking me? After I was just a negative Nancy right in front of you?”

I bob my head and wink at her. “I prefer to call it Mindful Marlee.” Reaching for her, I wrap my warm hand around herchilled palm. “Come on. I need a dance partner and you’re too pretty to be standing here all by yourself.”

Giggling softly, she puts down her glass of wine and I pocket her phone for her. As I lead her to the dancefloor, she teasingly asks me, “So you dance too, huh? Is there anything you can’t do?”

I can’t tell you I’ve had feelings for you for years.

I can’t ask you out because I’m afraid you’ll laugh.

I can’t offer to give you children because I’m not supposed to know you want to be a mom.

“Well, I can’t say I profess to be a great dancer, but it’s kind of my job as one of Magallan’s groomsmen so…”

She smiles at me. I could get so fucking lost in that smile. “I see. Well, we can’t have you failing at your groomsman responsibilities, can we?”

Thank God.

“No. No we cannot. In fact, it would give me some real street cred if I could look like the best dancer out here so I hope you brought you’re A-game.”

That makes her laugh. “Oh, I don’t know how well I perform under pressure so no promises. I may very well have two left feet.”

“Perfect. I have two right feet,” I say with a wink. “So, let’s do this.”

My heart beating rapidly on the inside, I inwardly pat myself on the back for being so cool, calm, and collected where Marlee is concerned. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her into my chest. She feels comfortable in my arms. Like she was designed to fit perfectly against my body. A sweet floral scent wafts into my nose and I know it has to be all Marlee. Dressed in a floor-length blue dress, her dark-hued hair pulled up loosely behind her, she’s the image of an angel.

“You look beautiful tonight,” I tell her, forcing myself to make eye contact no matter how dry my mouth is or how fluttery the inside of my chest feels.

Her smile widens. “Thank you very much, Ledger. You clean up pretty well yourself.”

“Nah. You see me in suits all the time, but it’s not every day I see you in a dress.”

“Don’t sell yourself short Mr. Dayne,” she says. “And you’re not wearing your suit jacket now. You look much more comfortable than coming and going to and from the arena on a game day. The look suits you…pun unintended of course.”

My cheeks are heating.

Thank God it’s almost dusk.

“Thanks.”

“I’m sorry, I should have asked about you earlier. My manners are out the window tonight apparently. How are you enjoying your summer?” she asks as we sway back and forth in slow circles. “I’m sure it’s nice to be off the ice for a while.”

I’d like my summer a whole lot more if I had someone to share it with.

Someone like you.

“Well, I’m helping Harrison with his youth league so I’m not really off the ice for too long. But yeah, I guess the break is nice. Gives my body time to heal before I’m pushing it to the max every day.”

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