“I don’t suppose my pseudo-girlfriend, who won’t let me kiss her, would like to dance?”
My smile widens. “Given your opinion of my ex-boyfriend, that’s the least I can do. But only if you don’t mind me dancing without my shoes on. I can barely walk in them. There’s no way I can dance in them.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” He waits for me to remove my stilettos and slip them under the head table; then he leads me to the dance floor. My arms go around his neck, his go around my waist.
“You do realize that after tonight and your stepmother’s party next week, the socialites’ tongues will be wagging and claiming we’re an item?”
“Given that their tongues have been wagging ever since news leaked that my boyfriend cheated on me,” I say, hips swaying while I pretend I don’t miss being in Noah’s arms. “You’re not far off there.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“Not really. But there’s not much I can do about it.” That’s the one thing my world and small-town life have in common. It’s probably one of the very few things they have in common.
A mischievous gleam appears in his eyes, which reminds me a lot of Noah. My heart squeezes like a sorrowful accordion pushing out the last of the air.
“So what do you say we have some fun with it?” Cameron asks.
That’s enough to temporarily appease my heart, and I’m sure my expression matches his. I’ve only been back for a few days, but other than the shopping trip on Rodeo Drive, I’m already bored. My new job can’t start soon enough. “What do you have in mind?”
“This.”
That’s the only warning I get before he dips me. Then he pulls me up hard against his body. The gleam in his eyes tells me it’s all an act, mostly for his mom’s sake.
I laugh, once again attempting to block memories of Noah. I’m not too successful. Dancing with Cameron reminds me of when Noah and I danced at Joe’s. This is fun…but dancing with Noah, his brothers, and their friends was infinitely better.
Cameron continues to entertain me on the dance floor until the song comes to an end. The bouquet toss is announced and all the single women rush to the dance floor. I chuckle at the half-panicked expression on at least a dozen or so men’s faces.
A soft, dainty hand wraps around my wrist. “Come on, dear. You’re still single. At least for now.” Cameron’s mother winks at her son. “You have to get out there. It’s tradition.”
For a petite woman, his mother is surprisingly strong. And since I don’t want to make a scene, I let her drag me onto the dance floor. But not before I look over my shoulder and roll my eyes for his benefit.
He mouths an apology on her behalf.
All the eager-to-get-married women crowd at the front of the group. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone doesn’t get maimed by an errant elbow. I remain in the back.
My phone buzzes in my clutch. Normally I would ignore it, but since I’m not actually planning to catch the bouquet—and there’s no way Victoria can throw this far—I check to see who texted.
Sophie:How are things back at home? We miss you here!
“Is everyone ready?” Victoria calls out.
This is met by a chorus of yesses as I type my reply.
“Three…two…one.” Victoria’s countdown results in some exuberantI’ve got its andMines. I keep typing about how I miss everyone in Copper Creek. Because I do.
Someone shrieks. I assume it’s from whoever caught the bouquet.
And then out of nowhere, I’m clobbered on the top of my head, and the bouquet drops onto my bent arms.
I look up from my phone, slightly dazed at what just happened. Dozens of disappointed faces stare back at me.
“Sorry,” I say to the nearest of them and attempt to hand the bouquet to one girl.
She declines it. “It doesn’t work that way. Now you’re the one who’s getting married next.”
From the corner of my eye, I spot Cameron’s mother, who is rubbing her hands together in glee.
31
