Page 40 of Kissing the Debutant
“I thought you said you didn’t know how to do this.” He pulled back to look down at her.
Her lips drew down, and he worried he’d said the wrong thing. “I…” The Lillian he’d seen tonight retreated back into her impenetrable shell, and the crowd came back into focus, dancing around them.
Though, maybe her shell wasn’t so impenetrable after all. “I like this outfit.”
A grimace flashed across her face. “It’s Wylder’s.”
A laugh burst out of him. “Not surprised. And what would you have worn tonight?”
“Slacks and a sweater.” She looked away.
Jack put a finger under her chin and turned her face so she had to meet his eyes. “I’d have liked that too.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head again. He wanted to say more, but a very excited Mia pushed through dancers, shoving a couple out of her way as she ran toward them when the song changed.
“Jack,” she yelled. “It’s our song!”
He laughed as he realized she was right.
Lillian pulled away from him as Mia joined them. He wanted to yank her back, to return to the bubble of the last few minutes when he’d held her in his arms.
But as the real world crashed in around them and the crowd separated them further, he realized it was too late. Lillian became the cold ballerina he’d come to respect, not the shy blushing girl he… what? He didn’t even know.
His eyes followed Lillian as she found Wylder at the edge of the dance floor. Wylder lifted a hand to wave goodbye, and all Jack could do was watch them go.
Mia nudged him. “Dude, it’s our song, and you’re not dancing.”
He turned to her and ran a hand through his hair, but he didn’t say anything.
She released a sigh and grabbed his arm to drag him from the dance floor and shove him into an empty booth before sliding in next to him. “I totally just messed that up for you, didn’t I?” She slammed a hand on the table. “I’m such an idiot.”
“Hey.” He elbowed her. “You’re not an idiot. At least, most of the time you’re not.” He smirked.
“I’m going to ignore that comment because I’m your best friend, and you’ve been holding out on me.” She poked him in the chest with one finger. “You like her.” There was accusation in her voice.
“What? No. Of course not. We’re just dance partners.”
She shook her head. “Whatever, Jack. You can’t lie to me. I know you too well. Don’t worry, she likes you too.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you’re Jack. Everyone who isn’t me can’t help but love you.”
“Lillian Preston isn’t like anyone else.”
She laughed. “You got that right.” Patting his shoulder, her face twisted in disgust. “What is on your shirt?”
Jack leaned his head back against the booth, a grin playing on his lips. “Soda.”
“Why do you look so happy about that?”
“Because, Mia, it changed everything.” He’d have to find the man who spilled on him and thank him. That single act changed the entire night, and he wouldn’t go back. Not even for a dry shirt.
14
Lillian
They weren’t caught.
