. . .
Ellie
Ellie’s Guide toProfessional CuddlingBeing a Fake FiancéeNOT Falling for Your Fake Fiancé, Tip #16: Definitely don’t dance with him, even if it seems harmless at the time.
I was an idiot.
But in my defense, nobody warned me that dancing with the emotionally unavailable guy who bribed me to be his fake fiancé would trigger a kaleidoscope of butterflies swarming my stomach.
Settle down,I scolded them with a pointed glare at my belly.
The whimsical fairy lights weren’t helping, and neither were the stars peeking out now that the sun had fully set. It was like we were on the set of a romantic movie.
And I was a fraud dressed like a princess.
The two extra glasses of wine I’d snuck for confidence during dinner backfired, too. Wine always made me sleepy and cuddly and say things I probably shouldn’t.
The longer we swayed while Cade held me close, the more unsteady my steps grew. One slow love song drifted intoanother, and my cheek enjoyed its new home against his chest—until Madison tugged a grinning Harrison out onto the floor next to us.
“Who knew you could dance, bro?” Harrison teased, pulling Madison into his arms.
Cade ignored him.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Cade dance before either. Even at our wedding.” Madison winked at me and wrapped her arms around Harrison’s neck. “You must be a miracle worker, Ellie.”
I pulled my head off his chest with a light laugh. “I just had to promise we’d beat you at the Love Olympics.”
“Whoa, whoa. Careful making promises you can’t keep.” Harrison smirked. “We’ll destroy you both.”
“What are you willing to bet on that?” Cade asked, finally acknowledging his brother.
I poked his side. “No betting this time. It’s too much pressure.”
His lips twitched.
Harrison’s eyes narrowed at his brother, his smirk not going anywhere. “I can tell you already have something in mind. What is it?”
Cade answered instantly. “Loser backs the winner for the UK position.”
My jaw dropped, but Harrison just barked a laugh before letting go of Madison’s waist to hold out his hand. “Done.”
Dread filled my stomach. This was what Cade wanted—the entire point of our deal—and I didn’t have a great track record with physical competitions. I cleared my throat.
“Maybe something that important shouldn’t be decided by a bet?” I whispered through a tight smile.
“It’s fine,” Cade murmured, his hand flexing against my back. “We won’t lose again.”
Great. His confidence only increased the pressure.
I tried not to show my worry, but my swaying grew stiffer as the song went on. Thankfully, Piper and Vlad joined the dance floor and distracted Cade and his brother from making any more bets.
But after two more songs, the tightening knots in my stomach convinced me I needed a little more liquid courage to get through this evening.
I mumbled something about hydration to Cade, then beelined for our table and downed the rest of my wine.
I didn’t even need to ask for a refill—a server appeared like magic with a bottle, making me jump.
“Oh.” I held out my glass and watched him pour a generous amount. “Thank you.”
