Page 42 of A Heart to Find
She hesitated. Man, she wanted to. His beseeching, long-lashed glance had her convinced there was no better idea.
“Take pity on me. Now that you remember that you were, in fact, the dumper and I, the pitied dumpee.”
How he managed to turn her angst into laughter bewildered her. And what could she do other than place her hand in his offered one? They didn’t need to hash anything out more fully. She could easily ignore the niggling in the back of her head telling her that something he said bothered her.
All she had to do was live in the moment. Enjoy the moment. Hopefully never regret the moment.
With a grin befitting a man who had won a battle, he led her into the ballroom, rustling the chains from her heart with every frolicking step.
Chapter 9
Holding Keira close to him—as close as they were allowed to get, anyway—filled him with such pride, such satisfaction. How could he be so fortunate to have this woman, this beautiful, sweet woman, as his match?
The fates had certainly intervened, and he guessed he had Elizabeth to thank for that. She had always looked out for his best interests, even if he didn’t know what they were.
Regardless of anything that had brought him on this matchmaking journey or his quest for a true, romantic partnership, he never in a million lifetimes would have imagined that he’d have Keira in his arms, her silky hair tickling his chin. He smiled like a dope. Couldn’t help it.
“Everyone is staring.”
He resisted the urge to plant a kiss on the top of her head, but it took every bit of restraint he could rally. “That’s only because you’re the most beautiful person in the room. Don’t hate them for their jealousy.”
“Hmm, I’m sure it has nothing to do with my comfy cozy loungewear in a sea of frills and formality.”
“Ooh, poetic.”
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
He felt her shudder and absorbed it, vowing to never forget the feeling of her body quivering in suppressed laughter.
“I say we take this dance to the center of the room and let them all get a good look.”
She raised an eyebrow at him and bit her lower lip.
“I say we get out of here before I become even more of a laughingstock.”
“As you wish, my lady.” He spun her around before leading her into a dramatic dip, which she fell into gleefully. Powered by her musical laughter, he twisted and trotted her toward the door, where he bowed to their audience and she curtsied. Hand in hand, they ran out, their laughter mingling in the cold air as they made their getaway.
“You have to admit, that was a worthy adventure. One we’ll never forget.”
She paused under a lamppost and brought a finger to her chin, tapping as if in deep thought. “Okay, I’ll give you that one. I will admit it was a lot of fun making them all wonder what we had gotten into.”
“I’m liking how right I’ve been tonight. I may be setting a new record for all of mankind.”
“Hmm, lots to be proud of, for sure.”
Before he could get another word in, she scooped up a handful of snow and flung it at him, hitting him right in the shoulder.
“Oh, that’s a bold move, Keira Holden! I do believe you have declared war.”
She squealed and turned to block the cold projectile coming her way, but she popped up with another ball to throw. He refused to back down, chasing her to get an accurate shot.
“Time out.” She leaned forward, clutching her belly as if she had a cramp.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I think I just need a minute. I can’t stand up straight.”
Concerned that she had injured herself, Jared rushed to her side, putting an arm around her waist to try to help her stand upright.
