AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are you sure? I can—”
“No, no,” the girl insists, unable to look Jace or me in the face and clearly hitting her social limit. “Honestly, I just need a glass of water.”
I watch as she tries to move away, having none of Lizzie’s skill in sailing the sea of bodies. She dances back and forth, too uncertain to take gaps in the crowd as they form. Eventually, as small as she is, she’s lost from sight.
“I think I’m gonna go and help her,” Jace murmurs, trying to excuse himself.
“You’re going to help her carry a cup of water?” I ask, one brow rising.
“Oh, buzz off.”
Curiously juvenile for Jace. The girl must have really set his equilibrium off-kilter.
It’s only after the two of them have gone that I realize Lacey has been pulled onto the dance floor by a more willing partner, meaning that Lizzie and I are now alone.
Or, as alone as two people can be in a barn full of nearly three hundred people.
“So, I came,” I offer as a pitiful attempt at a conversation starter. It does at least get Lizzie smiling.
“I knew you would.”
“Oh, really? Not a doubt in your mind?”
“Nope,” she says, shaking her head. “A hundred percent confidence.” Oddly, she seems to be telling the truth.
“Well, that makes one of us.” I hadn’t been certain I’d be making an appearance until I’d been halfway to the Kenny farm.
“I knew you’d be here as soon as you promised me.”
I look back at Lizzie, to find her surveying the dance floor. It gives me a moment to look her over without fear of being caught in the act.
Her hair is tied back, coiled, and curled into some kind of knot on the back of her head. Little pieces of something are woven between the strands, catching the glow of the lights. They make her hair seem to glitter. Like diamonds are hidden amongst the golden curls. Little wispy pieces of hair fall about her face, kissing her cheeks and neck. Just looking at them makes my palms tingle.
“You’re not someone to break a promise, Caleb Walker. Honorable men follow through.”
Honorable men.
I feel the rising, warm sensation of pride in my chest. Only to have it doused a second later when she turns to face me once more and I get an eyeful of her pretty figure and gorgeous curves.
Honorable men don’t lust over the homeless women they take into their home, Caleb.
“Speaking of… You promised me a dance.”
Lizzie stands before me, one hand out and palm up. Her weight is shifting to one leg, and she stands with a sensual confidence that is hard to resist. It would be a shame to reject this newly-discovered respect she has in me, just moments after its revelation.
I hadn’t been lying to Lacey about my two left feet.
“Maybe later…?” I offer. “When I’ve downed a little more punch?” Or she had? At least if she was drunk enough to misstep, I could pass off some of the blame for trampling her feet under my boots.
Lizzie doesn’t seem fooled. There’s a suspicion in her gaze that is warm with compassion and spicy with intent. As if she’s going to grant me a stay of execution… but only for now.
“Fine.” She offers her hand up, out into the open air, like a queen waiting to have a kiss bestowed upon it. “I’ll find another willing sacrifice then…”
She says the words loud enough for several sets of ears to prick up and young Dylan Hunter is the first to the post.
Barely taller than Lizzie and almost ten years younger than her, Dylan is the chef’s hand down at Gail’s Diner. Barely out of high school and eyes agog for the New York beauty, he’s a pup to the slaughter. I can practically see the wagging tail.
Yet, he takes Lizzie’s offered hand without hesitation and executes a little bow with panache.
