Page 70 of For Keeps. For Always.

Hen-ley.

I close my eyes, gifting myself this moment. This magical blink of time when the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

I don’t let myself panic at the touch of his fingers on the inner line of my dress, the rough skin of his fingers skating across my lower back in time with the music.

I don’t let myself feel guilty for wanting that touch.

I don’t let myself worry about the fact that if he kissed me right here, on the dance floor, in front of our partners, I wouldn’t hesitate to kiss him back.

His nose finds its way to my hair, inhaling deeply. “I love that you still smell like the earth.”

I look up at him, resting my chin on his chest to anchor our eyes.

“When we fight, our arguments seem so important. Then time passes, and I see you, and I don’t even remember why we stopped talking.”

The hand wrapped around mine squeezes roughly. “Same shit. Us freaking out at crossing lines and blurring boundaries.”

I swallow. “Kinda like now.”

Our entwined hands move in, his thumb brushing against my chin. He nods. “Kinda like now. I just can’t stop myself.”

I’m obviously no better. I wouldn’t be tangled up in him the way I am if I were.

“Do you love her?”

His head shakes. “No. Not at all. Not with the ferocity I do you.”

I blink, unable to hide the tears filling my eyes.

“You?”

My chin wobbles. “No.”

I take a breath. “Horrible timing as always. But—”

“This can’t start now,” he says. “You and I. If that’s what you were gonna suggest. It’s. . . complicated. Now just isn’t right.”

I’m not quick enough to score the hurt on my face.

“I want you. I just. . .”

I step back, unable to bear the burn of his rejection.

“Maybe wanna stop eye-fucking on the dance floor, cheaters.” Evelyn pushes past me, and I glance up, my eyes falling directly into the reasonable anger of my boyfriend.

Brooks turns at the same time, and Grace’s back is turned, her head dipped low.

Alex turns on his heel, a disgusted shake of his head the last thing he offers me before storming from the party.

“Alex!” I call out.

Brooks grabs my arm, halting my movement.

I yank it back, following Alex’s exit on hurried heels.

“Alex!” I call to him again as his retreating back moves through the foyer of the hotel.

He whirls on me. “What the fuck was that?”

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