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“Babe. My usual look screams lesbian.”
As if on cue, Ava’s face lights up, and she waves at someone behind me. I turn and see a pretty woman walking toward us, an equally enthusiastic look on her face.
I’m about to straighten out when my gaze snags on Rhett. And, for the second time today, he meets it—and takes my breath away.
“Hey, do you mind if I...” Ava gestures to the dance floor. She’s already standing.
I smile up at her. “Go.”
With a grin, Ava rushes into the arms of the woman she waved at. My heart swells. Ava deserves to be happy, and I can’t help but hope she gets that chance.
Sipping my punch, I look anywhere except for the spot where Elliot, Oliver, and Rhett are. I can still feel Rhett’s gaze on me, burning the exposed skin on the back of my neck.
I sigh. With Ava occupied, I’ve lost my dancing partner. And, unfortunately, most of the people here already came with someone to dance with.
The thought makes me think of Adam, which causes a frown to form on my face. To be honest, even if we’d stayed together, he’d probably be sitting at a table sulking on his phone.
Kind of like what you’re doing right now.
A tap on my shoulder causes me to jump. I turn to find a middle-aged man looking down at me.
“Now, what’s a girl like you frowning for? Smile, honey. It’ll make you so much prettier.” He slides a hand onto my shoulder. His mask covers his whole face, but I can only imagine an ugly grin covering the whole thing.
“You want something?” I say in an unamused voice, leveling this man with a you’re-a-pebble-in-my-shoe look. I hope it shows even with my mask.
Damn. I really can be a bitch sometimes.
“I was hoping for a dance, seeing as your date must’ve abandoned you. What a dumbass, am I right?”
Inwardly, I roll my eyes. As I’m about to reply, a deep, calm voice sounds from behind me.
“All of her dances are taken for the night, unfortunately.”
With relief, I turn to see Elliot stepping uncomfortably close to this guy. Thankfully, he backs off, raising his hands.
“Sorry. Didn’t realize she was taken.” Then he walks off, probably to find some other poor, miserable girl who’s found herself alone on Valentine’s Day night.
I give Elliot a timid smile. “Thanks.”
He chuckles. “Looks like you had it handled. Honestly, Wren. If looks could kill.”
I frown, feeling my nose crinkle in the way Ava always says is cute. “He was being gross. And he couldn’t take a hint.” Don’t thank him again, don’t thank him again, don’t— “Thanks again. Really.”
“Glad I could help. Well, uh—” He tugs at his tie. “Just so you know, I meant what I said.”
“Huh—what?”
“About all your dances being taken for the night. If you want them to be, that is.” He shrugs, like my answer won’t affect him either way, running his thumb across his bottom lip.
Goddamn.
I look around the room, as if an excuse to tell him no will be waiting for me. What I see instead is Ava, in the arms of her partner. She points two of her fingers at her eyes, and then flips them around to point them at me, mouthing, I’m watching you.
“Uh—sure. Wait, you’re sure? Are you here with a date?”
Shaking his head, Elliot offers his hand, and I take it without hesitation. “We’re here keeping an eye on Oliver’s little sister.”
I let him lead me onto the dance floor. When he puts his hand on the small of my back, I shiver.
