Page 60 of Igniting Sparks

I cross my arms over my chest, watching the scene unfold. At least now I know who he is.

Mina rests a hand on my forearm. “Is it okay?”

“You never need my permission to dance.”

“I’d love to dance with you.” Her bright blue eyes glisten up at me, a honeyed smile on her lips.

“Beautiful, I am not a dancer.”

“You don’t know until you try.”

Christ, she’s adorably persuasive, but she’s not winning this round.

“I have tried. Trust me—it isn’t pretty.” I nod toward Leo. “Take care of her out there.”

Mina fidgets with her bracelet. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

I tip her chin up, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “Not in the slightest. Have fun.”

“Only if you promise more of those.”

My fingers curl around her jaw, stealing another few kisses, much to her aunt’s chagrin. “As many as your heart can handle. Now go.”

Leo grasps Mina’s hand and spins her onto the dance floor—straight into a memory of which I have no part.

“Don’t they look wonderful together?” Bitsy says, her voice dripping with false sincerity.

“They do.”

Hey, it’s not a lie.

Leo and Mina move across the floor like they’re floating on a cloud. It’s obvious they’re comfortable with each other—too comfortable. They sense each other’s movements, flowing as one instead of two separate partners.

They’re stunning to watch, and I’d probably enjoy it more… if I didn’t want to punch Leo in the face.

Look, maybe he was just her dance partner, but I’m not buying it.

There’s something in the way he looks at her. The way he holds her gaze.

And if he doesn’t move his hand to a more neutral location in the next five seconds, I’m going to break his fingers.

One by one.

Bitsy clicks her tongue, cutting into my thoughts. “I have a question for you, Mr. Hammond. How much longer do you plan to keep up this ruse?”

I knew this question was coming, especially since she has me alone.

Time to play stupid. “It’s neither a ruse nor a game, despite what you think.”

“Oh, but it is,” she replies, her smile tight. “Life is a game, and if you’re not thinking five moves ahead, you’ll lose.”

I pivot and lock gazes with the woman. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Fine. She belongs with Leo, not you. I’m asking you to bow out gracefully and save face. You claim to care about her? Prove it. Walk away.”

Seems the gloves are off, which is fine by me. I prefer hand-to-hand combat over veiled threats any day.

“Why the hell would I do that?”