“You’ve given ‘making an appearance’ new meaning. That’s two times tonight you’ve caught the attention of every guy under the tent.”
She smiled up at him. “Yours included?”
The look he gave her sent shivers across the back of her neck. Silly question.
“Where did you go?”
“I had to… I needed a break.” She wouldn’t lie.
“Was it something I said?” He searched her face, worry wrinkling his forehead.
The band ended the last number and segued into a slower piece after the lead singer traded her fiddle for a mandolin. The soulful chords coupled with her softly trilling voice was hauntingly beautiful to Hilary.
“Yes and no. Dance with me.”
She pulled him onto the middle of the dance floor. Surrounded by people, she didn’t feel as conspicuous.
His arm around her waist, Dane pulled her close. Their hands intertwined as Hilary let the music guide her feet, her body swaying against Dane. Heat rose between them. Hilary felt a lightness in her with him near. The taste of his kiss was so close, yet—
“Well?” he said.
Hilary wanted to prolong this feeling. Everything was right with her world at the moment. Contentedness buoyed her. She wasn’t plagued by someone else’s dreams or expectations. No one was telling her how to feel or act. There was just Dane in front of her. Safe, strong, and sure Dane.
“What did I say to upset you? You can’t throw something like that out there and expect me to forget—”
“She read the notes, Dane.”
His feet slowed. “Notes?”
“Yes. The ones we wrote to each other on the bus yesterday?” She clenched her fist against his back. “I said some awful things about her.”
“I don’t remember anything that bad.”
She drew back, wondering if he was serious.
“What did you say?” His voice grew louder. “That your sister-in-law refuses to acknowledge you’re ready for a relationship after two years?”
Hilary hushed him. “It’s not that. I made a commitment to her. And she’s wondering now if I’m ready to throw it away for—”
“For me?”
Hilary shook her head. “It’s more complicated than that. Besides, we barely know each other. Think about it from her perspective.”
“It’s not her call, Hilary. You’re a grown woman.”
“I know that. But you’re the first man I’ve…been interested in since Will. She hasn’t come to terms with it.”
“So you like me?” he asked, grinning.
She sighed. While he was probably trying to inject a little humor into this, Hilary wasn’t feeling it.
Dane seemed to sense it, hugging her close. “It’s been two years. She should be happy for you.”
“I don’t want to hurt her.”
He drew back, his gaze resting on her. “You’re making this way more complicated than it needs to be.”
Dane didn’t seem to get it. Was she not being clear or was he choosing not to understand?
