Page 102 of You Fall First

Feedback screeches over a speaker, cutting her off. We all cover our ears for a beat, then turn to the dance floor where Dex has the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he booms. “The bride and groom are done with pictures and on their way to the reception hall, so let’s surprise them by lining the walkway and clapping them in.”

Hoots and hollers fill the room, and people set down their drinks and appetizer plates.

“Follow me!” Dex waves everyone over to the double doors, and guests file out after him.

Tim whistles for my attention, then points at Dutton. He’s holding hands with Rowan and Wally, marching along with Kendal. “We’ve got him,” he calls out. I offer him a grin and a thumbs-up.

I smile at Jo. “Want to go clap?” I ask, loud enough for Oliver to hear.

“Absolutely, babe.”

I’m one hundred percent positive Oliver and Amelia watch us go. For her part, Amelia seems genuinely pleased for Jo and me. Why wouldn’t she want the woman her fiancé left her for to be happy in the end?

Oliver, on the other hand, looks uncomfortable. Must be hard to see another man make Jo happy in a way he never could. I’d almost feel bad for the guy if he’d handled things with her truthfully. If he hadn’t blamed her.

On second thought, screw him.

By the time Jo and I reach the doors, we’re the last of the wedding guests inside the hall. Everyone else has exited to line up outside. The only other people in the room are the wait staff and the DJ, who don’t know us.

Oh, and Oliver and Amelia.

I glance at Jo, realizing the golden opportunity we have to show Oliver just how well we connect. Sure, we may be pretending, but he doesn’t know that. And the truth is, this isn’t totally pretend for me. A part of my heart craves Jo.

A big part.

So I take her hand, then spin her around to face me. This isn’t real, but the excuse is right here, and fully endorsed by our fake relationship. I take a step toward her and turn my volume all the way down.

“Do you trust me?”

Her blue eyes lock on mine, and she gives me the smallest nod.

I take another step. “I’m gonna need a yes.”

“Yes,” she whispers. “I trust you.”

“Good.” I take one more step.

“But … with what?”

I lower my face to hers. “This.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jo

When I tell you my knees go weak, I mean they almost give all the way out. My lungs feel airless, and I quite literally feel like I’m hovering over my body. This is me, looking down on some other Jo about to be kissed by Noah Stadler. So I draw in a gust of oxygen, and he scoops an arm behind my back to catch me just in time.

He’s holding my body steady, eyes boring into mine, as if he’s doing one last check on whether or not he’s really got my permission.

So I part my lips, just a sliver to signal I’m ready, and then his mouth meets mine.

At first, Noah’s kiss is warm and gentle, but soon we both slide into something more urgent, like two people who’ve been fantasizing about this moment all week.

Or … more likely one woman who’s been fantasizing. Noah’s doing this so Oliver believes we’re together. Still, I want to take advantage of his masterful mouth for as long as humanly possible. Tipping my chin, I let out a soft moan and gift him with a different angle to my lips. I’m going for greater access here, not less, but he draws back.

“Are you okay?” His question is a low rasp.