Page 26 of I Knew He Was Trouble
I shouldn’t be enjoying this. I shouldn’t be enjoying thisat all. Heck, the reason she’s even putting on a show is to stop the other women who were doing this to me twenty minutes ago, but for some reason, I don’t mind now. I should care, though. This isKelsey Andersonwe’re talking about, my obnoxious next-door neighbor. Although, she doesn’t seem very obnoxious now, showing up on her day off to save me.
“You’re supposed to look like you like me, Reed,” she whispers in my ear, sending another shiver down my spine and causing goosebumps to cover my arms.
I wrap an arm around her waist, pull her closer, and trace my thumb along her bottom lip. She inhales a sharp breath. “I’m not sure you’re prepared for me to pretend like I like you, Anderson.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’d have to do a lot more than that to catch me off guard.”
“Is that a dare?” I ask, my voice husky.
Kelsey’s gaze flits to my mouth before returning to my eyes. “It’s the truth.” She turns to the entourage of onlookers staring at us with expressions ranging from gaping mouths to palpable envy. “Sorry, ladies. He’s taken.” She pats my chest like she’s marking her territory.
The classroom door opens, and the moms disperse to find their kids after shooting glares at Kelsey and a longing look my way.
I slowly release my hold on Kelsey’s waist, surprised to find I’m reluctant for her to leave my arms. I hitch a thumb toward the classroom. “I should go find Evie.”
She smirks like she’s completely unaffected by what just happened and takes another step back. “I’ve gotta run if I’m going to make my work shift. Tell her hi for me. And don’t forget my pizzas tomorrow. A deal’s a deal.” Kelsey turns on her heels and hurries out the front door. I watch to make sure she makes it to her car safely before braving the sea of moms again to find Evie.
I’m pleasantly surprised that none of the ladies I pass tries to talk to me. Though, I’m unsure if it’s because of what Kelsey said or because there are children around now. Either way, I’ll take it as a win.
Evie bounds over to me and wraps her arms around my legs. “Thank you for letting me dance.”
“You’re welcome.” I wrap my arm around her as we head to the car. I help her get into her booster seat, and she beams up at me.
“Ms. Ava said I should still be able to audition for a solo in our fall performance.”
“That’s awesome, Eves.”
“You’re the best uncle.” She lets out a content sigh.
As I drive home, I can’t help but be thankful that I’m doing something right with her. Then the thought pops into my brainthat Kelsey was the one who suggested putting Evie back in dance classes, and that reminds me of everything that occurred in the dance studio.
Her hands in my hair. The way her lips felt under my fingertips. Her body pressed against mine.
And now I’m not sure I’m doing anything right after all. Because if I’m getting goosebumps from Kelsey Anderson, something must be seriously wrong.
Tonightismyfavoriteactivity that I plan for the residents at Sunrise Springs: dance lessons. Once a month, I have a pair of instructors come in to teach them a different ballroom-style dance. The residents love it, and I lovewatchingit.
I mean, what’s cuter than senior citizens waltzing with each other? Practically nothing. Although Winston is a worthy contender.
I need all the cute entertainment I can get today to distract me from my encounter with Tyler at Evie’s dance studio. I was five minutes late to my activity coordinator shift because I had stupidly stopped there.
I’m not sure what possessed me to offer to help him. Well, I guess the pizza for me and my besties tomorrow…but I should’ve left him to manage the eager women himself. Instead, I found myself wrapped around him like cling wrap, running my hands through his hair—that’s just as soft as it looks, by the way—pretending we’re an item.
It almost seemed like Tyler was affected by me. Then he’d gone and traced his finger over my lips and… I shake my head. It isn’t possible. There’s no way Tyler Reed wasflirtingwith me. Absolutely not. It was all fake—a show for the ladies.
Putting on a smile, I walk out of my office and into the activities room, where a dozen residents are waiting.
“Who’s ready to dance?” I speak louder than usual, making sure they can hear me.
“I’m always ready to shake what my mama gave me.” Darla shimmies, her white curly bob bouncing with the movement.
I hold a hand over my mouth to cover my laughter. I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, but Darla’s my favorite resident for a reason.
“We don’t shake our booties or”—Lorraine lowers her voice—“our chests in ballroom dance, Darla. We should be beautiful and elegant.”
The female dance instructor claps her hands to get everyone’s attention. “And today, we’ll be learning the dance you’ve all been waiting for: the tango.”
“Everybody, go ahead and grab a partner,” the male dance instructor says.
