I was not a fan.
Sharon backed off and gave me a pointed look. “Just think about it. You’re both adults.”
I didn’t respond, and she didn’t wait for a reply anyway. She grabbed my hand, and we disappeared into the crowd.
I’d always liked to dance. If the music was good, which it actually was right now, I could just close my eyes and get lost for a moment. I was surrounded by others, some dancing alone like me, some dancing with partners. I didn’t care about any of them. I let the upbeat rock tune pull me in, and my heartbeat raced with the bass.
As colorful lights skimmed across the sea of people, I smiled to myself and shimmied my hips, in love with the words in the chorus.
Leave her wild…
Whenever I felt someone, a hand on my lower back or my shoulder, I eased away from the unasked question and found another spot to make my own.
It became increasingly difficult when the slower songs began. I came to a stop and found myself at the back of the floor, and I stared at all the couples dancing. My breaths came out shallower, and my mouth was too dry.
A drink was in order.
I made my way back to our booth and reciprocated Mason’s smile.
He rose from the booth and said he’d gotten us new drinks.
“You’re too sweet. You didn’t have to do that, hon.” I slid into my seat and released a breath. Dancing was a good workout. The best kind, really, because you drank alcohol instead of water to quench your thirst. “They must’ve done something new with the gin and tonic since last time. It’s incredible tonight.”
Mason sat down next to me, his fingers forming a semicircle around his…maybe it was whiskey or bourbon. “The trick is to be specific. That’s Brooklyn Gin. It has a more pronounced taste of citrus.”
“Incredible,” I repeated, taking another sip. “Do you moonlight as a bartender?”
He chuckled. “Nope, just a man who knows his gin.” He shifted in his seat, facing me better, and folded the sleeves of his button-down. “You looked happy out there.”
He’d seen me? Damn. “I was. I mean, I am.” I smiled unsurely, hoping I hadn’t looked like a complete fool. “Are you as much of a dancer as your brother?”
“I don’t think anyone’s quite that bad.” He winked.
I laughed and shook my head.
“I talked to him a few hours ago,” he mentioned. “He threw a fit when I called him Willie.”
“Oh no.” I groaned through another laugh, and I knew very well how much William hated the nickname. “You have to know he doesn’t like it.”
“Of course I know.” He grinned. “It was the only thing I called him when we were kids.”
Naturally. Brothers were going to be brothers, I guessed. I liked it, though. I was very happy about them reconnecting.
“You’re bad.” I couldn’t stop smiling for some reason.
He hummed and took a swig of his drink, then placed his arm along the top of the backrest behind me. “You have to tell me if I’ve crashed your girls’ night for too long.”
No way. I wanted him here. It was so good to see him again. “Sharon’s known to ditch me once she’s found a dance partner her husband wouldn’t be jealous of.” Struck by a pinch of boldness, I added, “So, she won’t ask you to dance.”
Even in the dim lighting, Mason’s eyes took on a dangerous glint that sent a shiver down my spine. If amusement didn’t swim in his gaze too, I’d combust.
Before he could reply—not that I knew if he was planning to—my right boob vibrated, and I jumped slightly in my seat. Fucking hell. “Sorry,” I said as he gave me a strange look. Then I not-so-smoothly pulled my phone out from my bra, causing Mason to let out a laugh. “Shut up,” I told him. The man made me blush like I was some schoolgirl.
It was a text from Brady.
I think I’m coming down with a deadly cold, so if you fuss over me tomorrow, I’d be cool with that.
“Someone special?” Mason asked.
“Oh yeah.” I showed him the screen. “Your nephew. Want to adopt him?”
He smirked faintly as he read the text. “I’d take advantage too.”
“What a gentleman.” I puckered my lips playfully before I tucked my phone back into my bra.
He lifted a brow, eyes nowhere near my eyes. “I’m gentleman enough to offer my assistance with that.”
Heat rose to the surface, and I exhaled a choked little laugh. What the hell were we doing? We didn’t fucking flirt. No matter how innocently or jokingly.
I could blame the alcohol, right? We’d never gotten intoxicated together before. A glass of wine or a beer with dinner at parties, sure, but never like this.
Mason cleared his throat and emptied his glass. “That’s enough drinking for one night.”
Maybe he’d had similar thoughts.
I took a big swallow of my own drink, unsure if it was a wise call. Because I was suddenly wondering…
No. I was an idiot. I’d listened to Sharon too much. He couldn’t be interested.
Fuck, I felt feverish. How hot was it in here?
I was getting way too close to the sun.
“I need some fresh air,” I decided. “Where’s Sharon’s purse? I can watch it for her.”
“She came to get it earlier.” He left the booth to let me out. “I’ll walk you out. I should get back to the inn.”
That was probably wise, despite the pang of disappointment I felt. “I hope you find a nice place tomorrow.”
As I started walking toward the exit, the alcohol hit me right in the face, and I almost stumbled. My God, could I get a grip?
“Easy, darlin’.” He smiled a little and cupped my elbow. “You okay?”
Nope, not at all. “Peachy!” I managed a weak grin and continued my Bambi walk. I passed the coat check and said I’d wait right outside while Mason got his jacket. Or whatever he wore.
The clock near the entrance told me we had another half hour till Sharon’s husband arrived to take us home, so I’d go back for my coat later. And possibly another drink once Mason had left and was a safe distance from me. Brooklyn Gin, I’d have to remember that.
I stepped out into the crisp fall air and took a deep breath as soon as I’d gotten past the group of smokers outside the club.
Oh, that was much better.
Perhaps not as sobering as I’d wanted it to be, but it felt good on my skin.
The cobblestone streets of Cedar Valley were lit up with lampposts that belonged in another era, and shop windows had Halloween decorations in them.
I inhaled deeply and hugged myself.
I loved this part of town; the Valley bustled with activity and was called Little Seattle. My district, Downtown, was just north of here and only came to life in the summers when the boardwalk by the marina attracted tourists in droves.
After William had asked me to marry him and shown me his hometown, Downtown had been the best neighborhood for families. At the time, Cedar Valley hadn’t really existed. It’d been a bunch of factories and the location of the old lumberyard. Then over the years, the factories had turned into trendy lofts and expensive brownstones.
I remembered suggesting once to William that we could move here. Brady was about to start school, and the community college had recently opened in the Valley. But William had wanted our picket fence and two cars in the driveway.