Page 34 of My Book Boyfriend
I wander through the dressed-up crowd back to the bar area, but Aiden is not there. I finally look out on the dance floor, and he’s there with Everly. Dancing.
It’s fine.
I get in the line for the bar.
“We meet again,” that deep voice that seems to resonate in my stomach whispers in my ear.
I turn around. “We do seem to be meeting a lot lately.” Someone jostles me in the crowd, and he puts out his hand to steady me. His touch is warm and sure. I stand straight, and he drops his hand. Thankfully.
“I thought you were coming with some guy named Aiden. Or did you readA Devilish Dareand change your mind?”
“I didn’t change my mind. I’m the faithful type,” I say. “Where’s your date?”
“I didn’t come with a date. I’m single, as I told Mr. Devi.”
No date.
A little bubble of hope expands inside of me. I squelch it down.
“I’m impressed you remember the title ofA Devilish Dare,” I say. “Maybe you want to join our next book club discussing it at Banter & Books?”
“I could hardly forget it, with your colleague’s ringing endorsement.”
I’m totally sending him a copy.
“And would I be welcome at that book club?” He raises an eyebrow.
“We have quite a few male romance readers,” I say. “And it might give you a few insights and help your dating life.”
He narrows his eyes. “I’ve never had any complaints in that department.” One corner of his mouth kicks up, and he leans in closer. “But I’m open to tutelage, if you’re willing to teach me.”
My breath catches. My heart races.
His hand reaches out like he wants to touch my hair, but then he stops. I stare at his hand, but then look up to meet his dark-forest eyes.Danger.
His glance is solely focused on me. “Is it helping your dating life?”
Off limits.The enemy.The man who is going to destroy the community garden.
“My dating life is fine.” Just as soon as Everly finds her friends. “Thank you for your concern. Anyway, the only meeting you wouldn’t be welcome at is our next book club, when we will discuss how to stop your proposed plans to destroy our garden.”
“That sounds like the one Ishouldattend.”
We’ve finally made it to the front of the line.
“One white wine,” I say, ignoring Rupert. He orders a red wine. As the server hands me my drink, I turn to Rupert. “See you in the trenches.”
He raises his wine glass to me. “I look forward to it.”
Is this a game to him?
I leave hastily to search for Aiden. If he didn’t want to go with me, he should have just said so. This can’t be some weird, passive-aggressive way to tell me that he’s not interested. I stand at the edge of the dance floor, drinking my wine, and Aiden finally sees me. He leans down to say something to Everly, and they both come over.
“Where’d you go for so long?” he asks. “I’m sorry. I drank your white wine. But come, let’s dance now.” He pulls my hand and smiles at me.Take that, Rupert Evans.I have a date. I put my empty wineglass down on the table and join Aiden on the dance floor. Everly disappears. I smile at Aiden.See?Just a momentary blip because he didn’t want to hurt his friend’s feelings.
The bass pounds, and we both move to the beat. But that previous feeling of potential is not there.
Rupert’s heated gaze.Thatmatched the electricity described inA Devilish Dare.
