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The people in line ahead of us walked off, and we went to the bartender, ordering a couple drinks and handing him cash.

Cooper muttered something about highway robbery, and I couldn’t say I disagreed. We found a table toward the edge of the room, and Coop sat on the side that would let him watch people walk in. His eyes tracked the entrance.

“Shit, dude, could you be more obvious?” I asked.

But he got up, beelining toward the open double doors.

He’d seen Cam.

And I sawher.

Mags walked into the dance hall, her head held high. The dress she wore left her shoulders bare, and the ends of her curls danced over the bare skin I wished I could touch. Her lush hips swayed with each step forward, and her breasts filled out the top like no one’s business. The slight curve to her lips made me feel like she hid a secret, and the spark in her eyes made me want to find out exactly what it was.

Cooper intercepted Camryn, and Mags smiled, stepping back to give those two space while they were lost in their own little world. She caught me staring at her then, and her lips lifted into a slight smile. Like even though she may have held a grudge against me, her body held a muscle memory of what we used to have.

But instead of continuing toward me, she gave me a small wave and changed direction, going to the cash bar in the corner.

I decided to follow because I was done messing around. Especially when it came to Mags. I knew what I wanted, and I wasn’t giving up until I got it. I met her as she reached the front of the line. “Whatever she wants is on me,” I told the bartender, reaching into my back pocket for my wallet.

Mags arched an eyebrow. “In that case, I’ll have two shots of whiskey.”

The thought of sweet brown liquid burning its way down my throat made me smile. As I passed the bartender the money, I said, “How did you know I was in the mood for a shot?”

Mags picked up the shot glasses. “These aren’t for you.” She downed one, her thick throat moving, and then she immediately took the other. Didn’t even flinch. It was so fucking hot. She passed the glasses back to the bartender, thanking him, and then started walking toward the tables skirting the dance floor.

“How about a dance?” I asked. “For old time’s sake.”

She looked over her shoulder at me. “If it’s for old time’s sake, then maybe you should dance with someone else.”

“Hey now,” I said, her words like a punch to the gut.

Giving me a guilty look, she placed her hand in mine. “One dance.”

My heart buoyed as I led her to the brawl of dancers. I took her hand, spinning her away and then spinning her back to me. The song was faster paced, so we made quick moves in our two-step, keeping up with the people around us.

She was breathless as she said, “It’s been a long time since I danced like this.”

I was just trying to think with her chest pressed against mine, her hand warm in mine, her blue eyes looking up at me.

But I couldn’t think. So I spun her away from me, leading her in a pretzel and then spinning her around to the music. The song was nearing the end, slowing down as I dipped her back, hair falling from her shoulders, nearly brushing the ground.

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at me, our faces inches apart. My chest moved with my breath, with emotion.

The last note faded to silence, and I picked her back up as the next song began playing.

“Another dance?” I asked.

She shook her head, walking off the dance floor.

I followed, embarrassment and disappointment battling for my attention. “Maggie, why are you alwayswalking away?”

She turned on me, arms folded across her chest. “I don’t know how to tell you this, Rhett, but every time I look at you all I can see isher!I’m trying. I’m trying so fucking hard, but I don’t know how to stop.”

I reached for her hand, and when our skin connected, it was... everything. “Every time I see you... I see my future walking away.”

Her eyes filled with emotion, moisture brimming at her lashes.

“Why do we have to stay stuck in the past?” I asked. “I don’t live there anymore, and neither should you. We can make new memories so those old ones aren’t so damn fresh!”