Page 110 of Not How I Saw That Going

His lips twitch, and it looks dang sexy. “Maybe they’re at home in their beds.”

I roll my eyes. “No one likes a funny man when they’re hangry.”

He lifts a single brow. “Hangry?”

“Hungry and angry. You can’t tell me you’ve never heard that before.”

His critical expression shifts to something more serious. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

I bite my lip when he takes a step closer. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Good.” His hand slips around my low back and I shiver. “Very good.” He starts walking backward, back to the dance floor. “Dance with me again, and I’ll take you out for real food after this is over.”

“Like hamburgers?” I purse my lips.

“Anything you want.” I wait for him to drop a kiss on my lips, but nothing is ever that easy with Ward. Instead, he sways with me, song after song. He really does like to dance. I love it, but my feet haven’t acclimated yet.

My heel scuffs along the floor and I grimace at the pain shooting through my toes. “I’m not sure I can dance anymore. My toes are turning to stubs.”

A new song begins and Ward’s eyes light up. “Just one more? Then we’ll take a break.”

My feet are on fire, but I can’t deny him something that makes him so happy. I lean back into him. “It’s a good thing I love you.”That was most definitely supposed to be in my head.

He stops moving, and I step on his foot. He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even move.

I think I broke him.

The only part of his body reacting to my confession are his bulging eyes, and I’m not sure I want to know what they are trying to tell me.

“Ha. Uh, I must be hungry.” I try to laugh it off, but he still doesn’t respond.

Apparently, youcantake the dance out of the boy.

My body is equal parts freezing and overheating at the same time. I wish he’d saysomething.Anything. I’m going to start hyperventilating soon.

“Attention!” A high-pitched voice calls through the mic. “Can we get all of our amazing firefighters on stage please?”

An applause pulls Ward out of his stupor. He takes a step back. He shakes his head free of my confession and stares at me. “You’re going to bid on me, right?”

“Yes.” Though I’m feeling less confident at the moment. I push his chest. “Get up there. I promise I’ll swoop in at the last second to buy you.”

“I’m holding you to that promise.”

One of the guys from the fire department walks by, catching Ward around the neck and tugging him along. The two of them climb on stage and after a brief presentation of the instructions, the auction begins. Ward is placed at the end. Go figure.

“I’m going to the bathroom.” I mouth to him.

His eyes widen in fear, and I laugh. It’s fun to make him sweat. After he froze on my declaration of love, he kind of deserves it.

“I’ll be right back,” I mouth again and hurry out of the ballroom. I really do have to go. My bladder isn’t as young as it once was.

My phone buzzes before I make it to the bathroom.

Ward:Hurry!

Me:Chill. I’ll be right back.

I’ve learned how to pee fast. Perks of being a mom with zero privacy. The bathroom is nicer than my entire apartment building. It’s dimly lit and each stall has its own full-sized wooden door.