Page 79 of Twice Shy

Alyssa didn’t wait for the reason. “Mr. Morgan,” she said, teasingly. “I’m sure you won’t let a lady dance alone?”

“I—” He glanced over at Ollie, saw his gaze once more directed toward the French doors and Moretti.

“Come on,” Alyssa tugged on his arm. “I love this song.”

Ollie wasn’t watching. He was biting his lower lip in a way that would have been endearing if it hadn’t been directed at another man. Joel’s stomach cramped, and he felt a sudden overwhelming sense of relief that nobody knew about his feelings for Ollie. This wasexactlywhy he couldn’t tell anyone; if nobody knew, he could ignore the flash of pain. He could tuck it away and nobody would look at him askance.

He took Alyssa’s hand. “Lead the way.”

Joel was a terrible dancer, but it didn’t matter because Alyssa just wanted to do her own thing and he bobbed about nearby while she danced like no one was watching. Or, maybe, like everyone was watching. Either way, she was having a good time. He envied her freedom, that ability to just let go. It wasn’t in his nature and had never been his habit.

When the music slowed, Alyssa put her arms around his neck, breathless and smiling. “Whoo,” she said, laughing. “I haven’t done that in ten years.”

“I’ve never done that,” Joel said, smiling along with her. “I’m kind of jealous.”

“Yeah?”

“Not really.”

She laughed again and batted his shoulder. Then she frowned, head cocking as she looked at him. “Everything okay with you, Joel? You seem…tense?”

“I’m afraid your husband’s going to come over and threaten pistols at dawn.”

“Yeah? Or maybe there’s someone else who might be jealous?”

He stilled, felt the blood drain from his face into his toes and fingertips. “What?”

“It’s okay, you know.” They weren’t dancing now, just standing there with Alyssa’s arms around his neck and his hands on her hips. “I mean, if you wanted to talk to me about him—”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Despite the tipsy tilt to her head, Alyssa’s eyes were sharp and knowing. “Come on… I’m not blind. And you guys are freaking adorable the way you eye-fuck across a crowded room.” She put an astonished hand to her mouth. “Shit, I think I’m drunker than I realized. Forget I said that.”

Stiffly, Joel said, “I think we should go back to the others.”

He started to turn away, but Alyssa stopped him. “Hey,” she said, “I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I just want you to know you’ve got my support, if you need it.”

“I—” Denial was on the tip of his tongue but looking into Alyssa’s knowing eyes he feared it would be pointless. “Was it you?” he said curtly. “Did you start the rumor?”

She pulled back, dropping her arms from around his neck. “Excuse me?”

“Someone’s been spreading rumors about me at school. Jackie cornered me, asking about them. Was it you?”

Alyssa’s eyes flashed. “No. I haven’t said a thing to anyone. I’m no gossip.”

“Well, someone’s been spreading”—he couldn’t bring himself to say ‘lies’—“stories.”

“Don’t look at me. I was just trying to be a friend.” Her chin lifted, offended. “I’m going to go get another drink.” She stalked away from the dancers, leaving him to watch her go with his skin flushing hot under his suit.

Great. Good work, Joel. Now she thinks you’re an asshole.

He took a step to follow and apologize, but before he could his eyes landed on Ollie and the sight stopped him in his tracks. He stood at the far end of the room, close to those tall dark French doors, talking intently to Luca Moretti. Joel’s heart stopped, then raced, his fingers tingling with sudden anxiety, stomach cramping. He couldn’t see Ollie’s face, but he could see Moretti back off and knock his shoulder into the window. Words were exchanged, Ollie’s fingers plowing nervously through his hair. After another moment, Moretti looked around, then said something, gesturing toward the kitchen, and they both walked quickly away, leaving the room.

Joel remained frozen for several beats of his racing heart and then followed. He had no idea what he’d just witnessed, but one thing was very clear: his suspicion had been right. There was something going on between Ollie and Luca Moretti.

∞∞∞

Ollie was so nervous he could hardly breathe as he followed Luca out of the kitchen and into the frigid night air. Maybe he was being stupid, but it felt like everything hung on the outcome of this conversation and he wished Joel were with him. His fingers flexed in the cold, as if they knew what it would be like to face this hand-in-hand with Joel.

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