Page 43 of Owned By The Cowboy

“Did you see, Mom? We did the spinny thing!”

“I saw. You were amazing.”

“Blayne’s a really good dancer.” She looks up at him, nodding knowingly.

He chuckles. “Again, I had an excellent teacher,” he says, sitting down next to me. His leg brushes against mine under the table, and the brief contact sends heat shooting up my spine.

“Can we dance some more?” Annalise asks.

“In a minute. Let’s get some punch first.”

Blayne heads to the refreshment table, and Annalise starts telling me about all the other girls’ dresses and how Emma’s dad stepped on her foot but it didn’t hurt too much. I’m half-listening, half-watching Blayne navigate the crowd of parents and kids, when someone slides into the chair next to me.

Jennifer Patterson. Of course.

“Well, hello there, Reggie. Don’t you look nice tonight.”

“Hi, Jennifer.”

“I have to say, I was surprised to see you here. This is usually just for fathers and daughters.”

“Blayne offered to bring Annalise. I’m just tagging along.”

“How sweet of him. Though I have to wonder…” She leans closer, lowering her voice. “Are you two… you know?”

“Are we what?”

“Dating. It’s just that you’ve been seen together quite a bit lately, and now this… it looks very much like you’re playing house.”

I want to tell her to mind her own business, but I also don’t want to cause a scene at my daughter’s dance.

“Blayne’s a family friend,” I reply with forced calm. “He’s just being nice.”

“Mm-hmm. Family friend. That what the kids call it these days?” Her expression is a ridiculous mix of pretend camaraderie and insane levels of curiosity.

But before I can respond, Blayne’s back with our drinks and a knowing look on his face.

“Jennifer,” he says with a nod.

“Blayne. How lovely to see you here. Playing daddy for the evening?”

There’s something nasty in her tone, and I see Blayne’s jaw tighten.

“Just helping out a friend,” he answers evenly.

“How neighborly of you.”

Annalise, oblivious to the tension, tugs on Blayne’s sleeve. “Can we dance again? They’re playing a song I like!”

“Absolutely, princess. Ladies.”

He stands and offers Annalise his hand, and they head back to the dance floor, leaving me alone with the town’s biggest gossip.

“He’s very good with her,” Jennifer observes.

“Yes, he is.”

“Almost like he’s been practicing. Or maybe he’s just naturally paternal.”