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We walked out to the dance floor, and at that moment, the song changed. “Sweat” by Zayne started. Dexter put his hands on my hips and pulled me close. I raised a brow as he rolled his hips and brought my body flush with his.
“Pretty confident in yourself with these moves, Dex.”
He smiled, and our bodies moved together in a way that I would’ve never risked dancing in public, but knowing that Beck was here, and could possibly see me dancing with Dexter, I was willing to go for it, his rejection still weighing heavy in my mind.
“It’s really good to see you, Avery.”
I suddenly felt someone’s gaze on me, and I just knew it was Beck’s. Taking a furtive look around, I saw him watching Dexter and me dancing. I quickly returned my attention to my partner and wrapped my arms around his neck. The feel of his short buzz cut felt good against my fingertips.
“Are you glad to be home?” he asked, moving his body so close to mine that I was pretty sure we could give Dirty Dancing a run for its money.
“I am glad, yes.”
He smiled, and I was struck again by how much he’d changed.
“Are you still bullying women?”
His brows shot up. “What?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t remember being mean to me.”
“When was I ever mean to you?”
I gave him a look that said I didn’t believe he didn’t remember “When you teased me endlessly for having bigger breasts than other girls.”
His eyes moved down to my chest and quickly returned to my face. “I was a jerk, and I didn’t know how to tell you that I liked you. Besides, I was also a geek. Would you have given me a second look?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. We’ll never know, though, because you acted like a dick.”
“Will you let me make it up to you?” he asked, bending me back and moving me in a half circle before bringing me back up to him, our bodies so close to one another, as well as our mouths. My breath started to pick up slightly, but not because I was attracted to Dexter. It was because I knew Beck was watching us.
“Are you asking me out, Dexter?” I asked playfully.
“I am.”
Our eyes met, and my brain was screaming for me to say yes. Dexter was handsome…but he wasn’t Beck. His looks were nowhere near Beck’s. I squeezed my eyes shut.
Beck doesn’t want you, Avery.
When I opened them, he was waiting patiently. “Okay, I’ll go out with you.”
That brilliant, dimpled smile appeared once again. The song changed to a faster one, and it took Dexter a few extra seconds to let me go. Once the second dance was over, I leaned in and said, “I’m thirsty and need a drink.”
“I’ll get you one,” Dexter said as he placed his hand on my lower back and guided me to the table.
“Thank you,” I said, twisting away from him. “But I’ll get my own. I’ll be right back.” The last thing I would ever do was allow a man to get me a drink in a bar.
Dexter held up his hands and headed to his seat at the table, but not before giving me a kiss on the cheek and saying, “Hurry back.”
I playfully pushed his chest. “Again, way too much, Dexter.”
He winked, and I wanted it to do something more to me. Warm my body, make me fantasize about him kissing me everywhere. Something. Instead, it had zero effect.
Turning on my heel, I made my way to the bar. There were four bartenders, each busy, so I waited patiently for my turn. A shiver ran down my back, and I felt Beck before I even knew he was there.
Warm breath tickled my neck as he leaned in and asked, “Who was the guy you were dancing with?”
A feeling I couldn’t pinpoint rushed through my entire body at his question. Just then, the bartender approached and smiled at me. “What can I get you?”
“Do you have a bottled water?”
He nodded and looked at Beck.
“I’ll take a shot of whatever’s your best whiskey.”
I glanced at him. “Enjoying yourself with everyone?”
He didn’t say anything as he took money out of his wallet and tossed it onto the bar. Turning toward me, he narrowed those blue eyes and once more asked, “Who was that you were dancing with?”
The bartender returned with both drinks.
Beck said, “Keep the change,” without looking at him.
“Thanks! Appreciate it,” he said as he scooped up the money and walked away.
“He’s an old friend. Why are you asking?”
“You looked more than friendly out on the dance floor.”
I tilted my head. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why that should bother you. Are you concerned as a friend?”
Something darkened Beck’s eyes, and I fought the urge to drop my gaze to his mouth. The memory of him kissing me came back quickly, and I had to look away before he saw it in my eyes.
