Page 24 of Falling for Mr. Wright

Chapter Seven

Holy fuck.

What had just happened?

Ryan led Sarah to the middle of the now-crowded dance floor, keeping ahold of her as they started to move to the fast song.

What she’d done back there, sticking up for him like she had, was pretty hot, and he had no interest—or ability—to remove his hands from her body. Not yet. It might have been the champagne talking, but she’d clearly been ready to rumble, and he found that damn sexy.

He could’ve handled the situation himself, but as they moved to the music, their bodies in sync, he couldn’t help but feel a little hope. Had she meant everything she’d said?

Sarah raised her hands over her head and swayed her hips to the beat. When he finally let go of her waist, she laughed and spun around too fast, teetering on her high heels.

On impulse, he reached back out and steadied her, just as the fast song ended and a slow one began. Perfect.

Grinning, she slipped her arms around his neck. “Did you just save me from wiping out in front of all these people?”

“It’s the least I can do.” He nodded in the direction of their table. “I owed you one for what you did back there.”

She frowned. “Melanie is…”

“A little much. I know.”

“I’m just surprised. I mean, I know we only hang out at work, but I could never see you married to someone who is obviously materialistic and high-maintenance, not to mention petty beyond belief. To tell you she was pregnant right when we sat down…” She shook her head, a look of disgust on her face. “Who does that? I don’t see you two together. Now, I could see you with someone like—”

“You,” he blurted out.

“Me?” She unwrapped her arms from his neck, her eyebrows furrowed.

His heart stopped.Nice going, moron.Fix this now or it’s going to be awkward for the rest of the night.He circumvented any further embarrassment by taking her hand and placing it in his, swaying her to the music. “I meant, we seem to have a lot in common, and I would probably be better suited to someone I can relate to.”

Smooth. He ought to kick his own ass. Worse, Sarah didn’t seem to be buying it.

“Someonelikeyou, is all I’m saying,” he reiterated. “Not you. You like Logan.”

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“And I’m not looking for a relationship,” he added for good measure.

“Right. Of course.” She gave him a half smile. “Mr. Fifth-Quarter Experience.”

“Exactly, fifth quarter, and it’s over.” He needed to change the subject. “So, see that woman over there?” He nodded to the couple dancing not too far away from them. “That’s Jen Harper. Logan made me ask her dorky best friend to prom so that Jen would go with him.” He spun Sarah around and nodded to the couple on the other side. “And that’s Suzy Donaldson, the dorky best friend, who at the time had frizzy brown hair, acne, and bad breath, that I lost—”

“Your virginity to?” Sarah asked, eyes widening.

“No. My bike. We played cards at the prom after-party at Logan’s house while Logan and Jen disappeared upstairs. In addition to an extensive bug collection, Suzy had an older brother who taught her how to play an impressive game of poker.”

He watched Sarah take in Suzy, who’d grown up to be quite a stunner with her sleek brown hair and hourglass figure. “Maybe she could be your Mrs. Wright?” she asked, a tiny frown marring her forehead.

He liked that she wasn’t a fan of the idea.

“Nah, I think if I were looking for a relationship, I’d be more of a friends-to-lovers kind of guy.” He spun her around before he said anything more, and sent them back down the previous uncomfortable path.

“I think that’s how the best relationships start.” She lifted his hand and twirled, stepping on his foot. “Oh my God, I am so sorry.” She gasped, turning an adorable shade of pink. “You’ll have to commiserate with Paul when we get back to NPH. I stepped on his toes at last year’s holiday party, but I ducked out before I could do any real damage.”

“I remember.” His heart swelled at that memory. It was the first time that he’d allowed himself to wonder what it would be like if Sarah was more than a friend. “I found you sound asleep in Logan’s office.”

“You did?”

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