Page 53 of Crocodile Tears
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Don’t look at you like I’ve known you my entire life and can read you like an open book, hm?” She nudged me with her elbow. “All I’m saying is if you don’t go ask her to dance, that horde of hungry looking men will. I’d throw my hat in the ring too, but I’m taking off now, got an early flight back to LA. Plus, Dove is a sweetheart and I like ‘em meaner.”
I chuckled. “Fine, I’ll go ask her.” I turned and hugged my sister. “I’ll see you at Mom and Dad’s for his birthday weekend?”
“See you then,” she replied with a nod. “And congratulations again, Deacon.” I thought she was going to say on the charity, but she added, “Dove is a good one and she’swayout of your league.”
With that, I watched my sister wander off through the crowd. I turned to see the pack of leering men prowling closer around Dove and I rushed across the room to cut in.
“Gentlemen,” I said, and Dove looked up at me with grateful eyes as I extended a hand. “I believe this woman owes me a dance.”
The crowd parted, and I swept Dove out onto the dance floor. “Ioweyou a dance?”
“It’s romantic, just go with it,” I whispered back, and she laughed. “I was trying to rescue you.”
“I appreciate it,” she replied. “I was about to punch that dude in the nose for staring at my tits during our entire conversation, but that wouldn’t have been very director-ly of me.”
I turned swiftly. “Which one?”
Dove barked out a laugh, practically dragging me back toward the dance floor. “Save the testosterone for someone who needs it,” she said. “I can handle a few creepy men.”
“I’ve seen you stare down a pack of literal hyenas,” I joked. “I know you can handle it, but I still like defending you because—”You’re my person, I thought, but said aloud, “—because you’re my friend.”
“Fine, I’ll let you puff up and drum on your chest to defend my honor next time, okay?” she said lightly, not knowing all of the emotions swirling inside of me.
“Fine,” I relented as I pulled her against me, taking one hand in mine and placing the other on the small of her back. “You know who I just bumped into?”
“Who?” she asked a little more breathlessly as we swayed side to side.
“My sister.”
She couldn’t quite contain her smile. “Oh.”
“Oh?” I asked. “That’s all you’ve got for me?Oh?What were you just saying about me being in cahoots with Wren, hypocrite?”
“Guilty.”
“How did you even have her number?”
Dove’s smile widened. “She and I text every so often. We kept in touch.”
“You kept in touch with my sister but not me? I’m wounded.”
“If you call a couple messages a yearin touch,” she replied. “Your older brother and Hawk still comment on each other’s Instagrams. Apparently, our moms still send each other Christmas cards too.”
“So all the Harrows and Lachlans have been keeping in touch this whole time apart from you and me?” I asked with a shake of my head. “I don’t know who to be more angry at, you, my mother, or my sister. Meddlesome trio you are.” She laughedlightly. “I think Faith only said yes to this because you invited her by the way. She’s never said yes to any of my invites.”
“I’m very convincing,” Dove flaunted as we circled the room. We moved in an easy rhythm, her body feeling so good pressed against mine, her skin so soft. “You’re a good dancer.”
“Only after many drinks,” I admitted.
“You do look a bit glassy-eyed.” She chuckled as she looked between my eyes. “We should grab some painkillers and Gatorade before we go home.”
Before we go home. She didn’t know what that statement did to me. For a moment, I pretended she said that to me all the time, like we always went home together at the end of a big night out, like my home was always hers.
“Don’t worry, I can hold my liquor.” At that inopportune moment, I stood on her foot. “Sorry.”
She laughed. “Forgiven. Honestly, it’s nice when you’re clumsy. It’s a relief to know you’re not perfect.”
