Page 6 of The Only Heart that Matters
What is that all about?
My body moves of its own accord and before I know it, Mia’s hand is in mine and I’m pulling her to the middle of the dancefloor. My eyes lock with Rhen’s. “Sorry, she promised the first two-step to me.”
“Whatever,” he says. “Maybe next time.” He chuckles as though the last twenty seconds were nothing if not entertaining for him. Seemingly unbothered, he walks away.
The moment we’re out of earshot she releases a heavy sigh. “Thanks for the save, but you don’t have to dance with me.”
She turns to walk away, but I’ll be damned if I’m letting her go now. I’m not passing up a rare opportunity like this. Not only to be this close to her, but the chance to be there for her if she needs me. Her parents are moving and she’s a single mom with all the complications that brings. If Rhen is pissing her off, I’m more than happy to intervene.
I spin her back around to face me, not missing the surprise in her eyes.
“Why not?” I ask, my other hand settling on her shoulder as I start to move us around the floor. She flawlessly falls into step with me. “You don’t want to dance with me, Goof?”
I use her nickname as a reminder to myself that she is my sister’s best friend and completely off-limits, because damn, she feels nice in my arms.
“Well, no, it’s not that.” Her cheeks pink. “I just didn’t want you to feel like you had to.”
“It’s my pleasure, besides I wanted to talk to you about Monday. Are you excited about your big interview?” It’s not the first question I want to ask, but I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about Rhen.
“Oh, uh, yeah.” She stammers a bit. It seems I’ve taken her by surprise. “I’m more nervous than I am excited. We don’t get opportunities like this around here, you know? I don’t want to mess it up.”
“You aren’t gonna mess it up. You’re gonna do great. Besides, it sounds like they already know they want you. This interview is just a formality. I have all the faith in the world in you.”
“Thanks.” She blushes, and it is stunning. “If only you were the one interviewing me.”
“What is it they say to do? Picture them naked?” I offer.
She laughs. “I think that’s for public speaking. It may make a one-on-one interview a little awkward.”
“Fair point.” I swing her out in front of me and keep us moving around the wood floor as I bring her back to me. I’m not sure we’ve ever been this close, for this long. It’s fucking exhilarating.
“Thanks again for offering to take me Monday, Angus.”
“No thanks needed. We’re family. It’s what we do.”
Her cheeks pink again, her voice shy when she says, “Right.”
Unable to hold back my curiosity any longer, I ask, “What’s with you and Rhen? You seemed pretty pissed at him.”
“I just don’t like him.” She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t get what everyone sees in him.”
He’s a good-looking guy. I imagine most women would describe him as tall, dark, and handsome. I’m not hating that she wants nothing to do with him, but it worries me all the same. We’ve known him our whole lives. “Tell me what I’m missing?”
“Listen, you wouldn’t get it.”
“Get what?”
“Gus, come on. I don’t want to talk about Rhen. He’s just an asshole.”
There’s more to this story, but I don’t push her.
“Fine. We won’t talk about Rhen, but if he bothers you, let me know. I’ll take care of him.”
“I’m a big girl. I don’t need you to come to my rescue. It’s not like that.”
The song ends, and she drops my hand. “Thanks for the dance. I’m gonna go get a drink.”
I follow her off the floor but take my time so I don’t look like a stalker, even though I kind of am, only taking my eyes off her when I see Rhen in my peripheral. He’s already distracted by a blonde out of towner.
