Page 47 of Dancing Struggles


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It’s also never going to happen again.

Sure, Leland punched Billy for me, but he would have done it for anyone. Under it all, there’s a decent man in there, I can feel that when I’m near him. However, being a decent man doesn’t extend to him wanting deeper with any woman, most especially with me.

And me?

What do I want?

It’s the billion-dollar question.

I don’t know.

Wanting a man isn’t as easy as it seems. There’s been no one who’s come close to Leland in the bedroom. He’s truly ruined me for any other man. Every single partner has been lacking. So, I gave up on that department and closed up shop in order to concentrate on my career, just figuring the right man hadn’t turned up yet.

But here I am, in the same orbit as him and he’s zeroing in.

On me.

I’m not naïve. Not anymore. I don’t think it’s because he can’t keep away from me; that I have some draw no one else does. There are slim pickings for a man who more than plays the field in a small town. I’m new. He doesn’t remember he’s already been here and done that.

This time he wouldn’t tip me like some street worker. But he did that, and I have to remember what he did. A man like that isn’t going to commit—even if that’s what I want—he isn’t going to change. He wants a roll in the hay and that’s all.

He’ll hurt me.

I’m already attracted to him, I don’t know what to do, and if we went there now, I’m older, I . . .

What if I did something stupid like fall in love?

I grip my stylus tight as I go over the list of things on the tablet that I have to give to the host. Everything’s in order, but it gives me something to do.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop me from thinking, my brain turning. My thoughts going to the one place it truly shouldn’t . . . Leland.

“Ready?” Dakota comes up, a small smile on her face.

“That blue dress is totally you,” I say, taking in the outfit she’d picked for tonight, “and, of course, I was born ready.”

She grabs my face, plants a kiss on my cheek, and giggles. “Have I told you how lucky I am you’ve joined me in this adventure? I don’t think I could have honestly done it all alone.”

“Only about a million times.” I take her hand and admire the sparkle of the ring. It looks good on her. “I’m thinking of asking my boss for a pay rise. And in all fairness, you could have and would’ve.”

“Not too boring here for you? Don’t miss big city life?”

I laugh. “Waterman Heights is a city, and no. I love it here. I was ready for a change, and Mirror Brooks just wasn’t the same without you.”

“You say the sweetest things.” Dakota giggles, batting her eyelashes.

“It’s true. Building from the ground up is a challenge, and this is a gorgeous town. I might even get a cow.”

“A cow?”

“A chicken?” I smile and turn. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to talk to a man about a list.”

The nerves are worse, not better. Jumping beans, that’s what they are. Charged jumping beans.

People whisper and glance my way, and I’m glad I’ve got work to do. This is Dakota’s gig. Being the hostess is definitely her thing, and I’m glad for it. I should be out there, but I can’t.I know no one heard much or knows what happened except that Leland Conley punched a man. But in a way, it’s worse. Much, much worse. That’s wild rumor territory.

“Sarah, can we talk?”

I groan. It’s either that or moan at the rich coffee and cream voice so close, the heat of him warming my skin like a kiss or caress. “People are already talking,” I say, twisting to face Leland.

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