Page 7 of Collateral Damage
“Hey, you. Let’s dance,” my old pal Perry Hargrove says, catching my elbow and stopping me in my tracks.
Perry can be an idiot-ass at times, same as all my guy-friends, but he’s a good person. He tried to date Arden last summer and ended up making a fool out of himself and Ethan over it. Theyhad a fight and everything, but they’re fine now. Not wanting to cause a scene, I nod and let him pull me in for a slow dance.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his dark eyes shining with concern.
I have to look away. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“The reception is going well,” he says, changing the subject. “And I look great in this new suit, if I do say so myself.”
I smile, taking in his fitted black suit and the way the white collar of the shirt contrasts against his skin. He’s a gorgeous African American man, so he looks great in anything he wears, but this particular outfit is lethal.
“You do look good,” I muse. “And I look good, too, don’t I?”
He whistles low, taking a tiny step back to make room for roving eyes. I’m in a shiny yellow slip dress, my ode to Andy inHow To Lose A Guy in Ten Days. My favorite romcom. I’ve watched it a hundred times, and it still makes me laugh.
“Amazing as ever.”
Just then, Cooper strides up to us, his face set in a determined expression.
“Mind if I cut in?” he drawls.
Perry gives me a sheepish look, his gaze jumping between me and one of his best friends. I widen my eyes at Perry in adon’t you dareexpression.
“I don’t know, man,” he says.
I turn on Cooper, glaring daggers. He’s faking this charm. He doesn’t want to talk to me, let alone dance. He’s only here because of his father.
Not happening.
Cooper somehow manages to channel so much fake charisma that I want to vomit as he grins at me with a devil-may-care smirk. “Come on. One dance with an old friend? For old time’s sake.”
I shake my head. I’m not falling for his bullshit.
“Don’t want to dance with a cripple?” He raises his eyebrows.
The blood drains from my face. It’s a low blow to get what he wants, but it works.
“Fine,” I grumble, nodding at Perry to step away.
Cooper grins like he’s won some kind of prize, but I know his grins, and this one is fake.
“Please be careful with me, baby,” he says as he pulls me into his arms, and I get caught on the way that casualbabyrolled off his tongue. “I won’t be able to feel it if you step on my right foot.”
The guilt over his leg is all consuming and my face flames.
He chuckles. “I’m joking. Relax, Valentine.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Oh? You like being calledbaby, then? Is that it?”
Actually, him calling me baby definitely did something, namely to the heat in my stomach, not that I’ll admit it. “Don’t call me anything.”
With a knowing smirk, he tugs me closer until our bodies are pressed together. At least I don’t have to look him in the eye anymore, but feeling his broad chest against my breasts sends unwanted shivers through my body. What the hell is wrong with me? The music is too slow and sultry. He’s too close. That’s what’s wrong. Nothing more.
I catch sight of Ethan and Arden dancing and let that relax me, remembering what this is all for. Those two are currently lost in their own world and having a great wedding reception—all worth it.
Coop and I don’t talk, and I wonder if his “making amends” directive is out the window. Whatever. I don’t care. But not talking presents another problem. Specifically, the way our bodies fit together well as we dance. He’s taller than me, which is good; I’m taller than most guys. His build is exactly the kind I prefer—athletic and broad without being too bulky. He’s grown into quite the man. Too bad he thinks I’m vile.
