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I gape at her as she bites her bottom lip. Her question is so brazen it takes me a moment to respond. “Yeah, I am actually.”
“That’s too bad,” she pouts.
When I look past her, Lizzy comes into view and my heart flips. Everything else fades into the background as her radiance captivates me once again. It’s the kind of beauty you can’t even put into words, because everything about her simply contributes to it.
Lizzy’s eyes remain on the floor as she weaves her way through the people, appearing more withdrawn than she had before she left.
Without even fully realizing what I’m doing, I stand to greet her as she arrives at the table. “Hey, are you okay?” I take her hand in mine, and her gaze wanders to our hands before moving up to meet mine.
“What? Oh…yeah.” She nods, closing her eyes briefly. “Everything is fine.”
“Are you sure? Where’s your friend?”
“Bar.” She tilts her head back in that direction.
“Oh my gosh, Elizabeth Shea, is that you?”
We both turn to find the redhead standing next to us, and Lizzy’s posture goes rigid as she pulls her hand from mine. I officially hate this woman.
“Yep, it’s me,” Lizzy says, a tight smile on her face.
The woman turns her attention to me, stepping closer as she places her hand on my arm. “Lizzy and I went to high school together. She was a couple years ahead of me, though.”
Lizzy shakes her head and scoffs. “How are you doing, Devin?”
“I’m doing fabulous. Just signed with a new talent agent,” she boasts, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “He thinks I could have a record deal by the end of the year.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you,” Lizzy deadpans, looking at her nails as she picks at the polish.
It doesn’t take a psychic to tell these two women have never been friends. Lizzy’s closed off demeanor makes that clear. I’m betting this woman wouldn’t even have spoken to her if it weren’t for me.
Removing Devin’s hand from my arm, I position myself closer to Lizzy. “Tell me, Devin, has Lizzy always been this beautiful?” I allow myself to admire Lizzy, my eyes roaming over her as if no one’s watching.
Lizzy bites her bottom lip, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she tucks her hair behind her ear.
“Oh, Lizzy,” Devin coos, ignoring my question, “you must think I’m awful standing here talking about how wonderful things are going for me. I heard about your husband. That must’ve been so horrible for you. Bless your heart. I can’t imagine trying to raise two kids on my own like that.”
The color drains from Lizzy’s face and my jaw clenches, anger boiling in my gut. I want very badly to put this woman in her place, but something tells me that would only upset Lizzy.
So I turn to her instead. “Dance with me?”
Her eyes are wide as I offer my hand. She looks down at it then back at me and nods, placing her hand inside mine.
Both of us ignore Devin entirely as I lead Lizzy out onto the dance floor, weaving us through the couples until we reach the center.
I grab her waist, leaving plenty of space between us. She wraps her one arm around my neck and places the other flat on my chest, right over my racing heart.
Lizzy’s gaze floats around the room as we begin to sway to the music, a blush splashing across her porcelain skin. My hands glide across the silky material of her blouse to her back, urging her closer with ease. I marvel in how natural it feels to have her in my arms, getting lost in her floral scent and the warmth of her body.
The song changes, and she meets my stare through hooded eyes. “I’m not sure if I should thank you for saving me back there or curse you for taking advantage of the situation.”
I choke out a nervous laugh. “You know what they say…there’s no such thing as a selfless act.”
Her eyes flicker to my lips before locking with mine, her green orbs slightly glazed from the alcohol she’s consumed. “I don’t normally dance with strangers,” she confesses.
“I think we’re well past the point of being strangers.”
She shakes her head. “Everything I know about you came from Facebook.”
