Page 36

Caleb and I went dancing once or twice in college, but it had never been our thing. Or rather, his thing. He didn’t like dancing, so we found other ways to spend time. But I did miss being spun around a dance floor by a man who knew how to lead.

As we wound through the crowded space, I swore I saw Gage near the bar, but as soon as I did a double take, he was gone. Crazy, I told myself, considering Gage would never go to a place like this. He probably went to exclusive clubs that took status and money to even get past the velvet rope, much less through the doors.

A guy who looked ten years younger than Mia and me came and said to Mia, “You’re the prettiest thing I’ve seen in here all night.” He had strawberry-blond hair under his ball cap and freckles on his tanned cheeks. Standing several inches taller than both of us, he was nearing six feet and filled out his jeans like nobody’s business. I just couldn’t help but think he could only be ten years older than Levi. If that.

Mia got a flirty smile on her face, the kind guys always went gaga for, even back in college. “Me?” She put her hand over her chest, his eyes following.

He nodded, holding out his hand. “I’d like to show you off on the dance floor. Make all my friends jealous.”

Mia glanced to me, a pout on her lips. “I’d love to, but I’m here with my friend and I don’t want to leave her all alone over here. Maybe if one of your friends...”

She barely had the words out of her mouth before the kid had one of his friends coming over. This guy was stockier and a little shorter, but he had a nice enough smile. I absentmindedly wondered how much his parents had spent on braces.

“Can I have this dance?” he asked me. At least his voice wasn’t cracking with puberty.

Even though everything in me was thinking how weird this was, I nodded, because Mia was right. I needed to get back out there, stop acting like a woman in mourning. Caleb had moved on before our marriage was even over.

The guy in front of me took my hand, his just slightly larger than mine, and led me to the dance floor. He draped one arm over my shoulder and took my other hand. “Dance often?” he asked.

“Not at all. In fact, it’s a good thing you’re wearing boots.”

With a chuckle, he said, “That’s okay, ‘slong as you know how to follow directions.”

There was heat to his words, and all I could do was laugh awkwardly.

He mistook my laughter for encouragement and pressed his body a little closer to mine. Moved his hand a little lower down my hip.

Man, I did not envy single girls these days.

And then I remembered I was one of them.

Single, at thirty-four years old with three kids. Some of my friends from high school had just started having babies.

“What’s your name, darlin’?” he asked, eyes traveling from mine to my lips.

“I’m Farrah, and I have three kids,” I blurted.

He froze, and I nearly toppled over. But then he stepped back and raised his hands. “I’m not looking for anything complicated, lady.” He turned and walked away, leaving me in the middle of the dance floor, couples spinning around me.

My cheeks quickly heated as shame filled my gut. I knew I was awkward, but I wasn’t even worth sticking it out for one dance?

Then I remembered I wasn’t worth staying faithful to.

Not to Caleb. Not to this kid who, according to Mia, should think I’m the full package.

Tears pricked at my eyes, and I willed my feet to move, to get me out of there and take me home.

Then I heard a familiar voice say, “May I have this dance?”

14

Gage

Rhett had to hold me back when that fucking kid put his hands on Farrah, slid his fingers down her back like he was trying to touch the perfect swell of her ass without her noticing.

But my vision went red when he left her standing there in the middle of the dance floor, looking completely lost and alone. I had half a mind to teach that loser a painful lesson on how to treat a woman, especially one as golden as Farrah.

Instead, my feet carried me to her, knowing I would do whatever it took to take the devastated look off her face.