Page 71

NYLAH

We arrived at the dance only ten minutes after it started, and the room has quickly filled with gorgeous dresses and suits.

It’s been kind of fun standing on the sidelines and watching interactions.

You can spot the horny, the flirty, the loved-up, the shy.

I’ve been entertained by one particular couple who can’t seem to coordinate their dance moves, and she keeps getting pissed off.

Darian and I have been trying to work out their story.

“Maybe she made him practice the moves beforehand, and he’s going off book,” I suggest.

“Or he talked up how hot he was on the dance floor, and he’s failing to live up to the hype,” Charli pitches in.

She looks adorable tonight, kitted out in a pair of sparkly pants and a boob tube that shows off her lean muscles. Talk about athletic. The thing I love the most about her ensemble, though, is the high-top Converse she’s paired with the outfit. Who needs heels, right?

I grin down at her purple shoes and add one more reason to my list of why I like Charli.

Jolie and Ben are already on the floor, grooving away, and Sawyer’s getting hot and heavy with some blonde who no one seems to know.

“Is that his girlfriend?” I ask Darian.

“Nah, I’m pretty sure they just met tonight.”

Charli snorts. “Darian would be doing exactly the same thing if he wasn’t here with you.”

“I thought he didn’t have any game.” My lips twitch as I get in on the teasing.

“He doesn’t.” Charli laughs. “He’s just one lucky prick.”

“You’re such a little shit.” Darian shoves her shoulder, then looks at me. “I’ve got game, okay? I get lucky way more than Sawyer does.”

I flush, my eyes bulging as I glance up at him. “You know I’m not gonna?—”

“Yeah, you’ve made that abundantly clear. And I’m not some horny sex fiend. I can go one night without hooking up.”

“But this is your perfect night to do that,” I argue. “I don’t want to squash your style. I?—”

He holds up his hand to shut me up. “I promised Jolie I’d make you smile tonight, so just let me do that already.

” Holding out his hand, he coaxes me with a tip of his head, and I find myself enamored by the sweet look on his face.

“Come on. Let’s do a little dance, not make a little love, but definitely get down tonight.

” He winks, and I can’t help a relieved laugh.

Placing my fingers in his palm, I let him drag me onto the floor as the music slows to a soft sway that I’m actually grateful for. My leg can’t handle too much rhythm anymore, and I drape my arms over Darian’s shoulders with a relieved smile.

“Happy?”

“Yeah.” I nod, surprised that I actually am.

Sure, I wish the guy I was dancing with right now was someone else, but Darian is sweet and funny, and I love that I don’t feel pressured in any way to be more than his friend.

He rests his hands on my waist, and we sway back and forth. I’m just starting to relax when a guy in a suit with slicked-back hair and a pissed-off look on his face appears beside us.

I have no idea why he’s standing so close until I do a double take and choke on my own saliva.

“Carson?” I splutter, my heart rocketing into my throat.

He doesn’t acknowledge me right away; his eyes are currently locked on Darian’s face. “Can I cut in?”

My partner frowns down at Carson and shakes his head. “No.”

“I’m cutting in, asshole.”

“The fuck you are. This woman’s my date. Go find your own.”

“I don’t want anyone else,” Carson growls, and I start to worry that these two are gonna cause a big scene.

Shit.

Clearing my throat, I squeeze Darian’s shoulder and murmur, “It’s okay. I can dance with him.”

The tall basketball player whips back to look at me, slightly incredulous. “You know this guy?”

I look at Carson, drinking in his slightly desperate gaze and feeling something in my chest tug. It’s such a familiar sensation that I end up nodding.

Darian sighs and I glance up in time to see his eyes narrowing, and then he starts to nod. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I… I want to.”

“Okay. I’ll be just over there if you need me.” Stepping back, he allows Carson to take his place, then gives him one more suspicious side-eye before making his way back to Charli.

She’s mouthing at me, “Is that the guy?”

I give her a subtle nod, and she gives me a thumbs-up, which makes my lips twitch, but I’m so nervous right now. I’m seriously not sure whether to be elated or enraged that he’s here.

Shit. I don’t want him to hurt me again, but I’m pretty sure I’ll stop breathing if I let him walk away.

He’s wearing a suit. He looks so freaking hot, and he’s…

Is he doing this for me?

Is he here to win me back?

I look up at Carson, trying to clamp down the riotous hope bursting in my chest. He’s staring at me with a look of pure vulnerability, and my heart is already turning to custard. I wish I could be stronger around this guy, but I’ve been missing him so badly.

He hurt you.

Remember how much he hurt you!

Clearing my throat, I step into his space, trying to hide my chaotic emotions. Fear and anger are at full-blown war with hope and joy. I don’t know if I want to throw up or giggle.

Hooking my fingers behind his neck, I go for humor and put on a Russian accent. “Well, hello, Mr. Bond.”

He snickers and rests his hands on my hips. His touch is tentative, like he’s waiting for me to push him away at any second, but does he have any idea how hard my heart is beating right now? I can practically hear it screaming I love you! I know I should let you go, but I don’t know how!

Carson seems oblivious to the wailing in my chest, so I try to keep it light, not wanting to scare him off or give in too damn easily. He did hurt me, and I can’t just open up my chest and hand my heart back to him so swiftly.

Why is he really here?

Why is he dancing with me?

The questions crowd out my brain, making me antsy, and I end up huffing. “Seriously. What are you wearing?”

He looks down at himself, obviously surprised by my question. “It’s called a suit.” His lips twitch. “I look good, right?”

“No.”

“What? You don’t like the suit?” His face is adorably injured, and I can’t help laughing at him.

“The suit is gorgeous, and you look very handsome in it, but…” I tip my head to study him. “You’re way hotter in your leather jacket, ripped-up jeans, and scuffed boots.”

He stares at me, and I can’t help smiling, then brushing my fingers through his wooden hair.

I wrinkle my nose. “How much product did you use?”

“I wanted to look good for you.”

My chest goes all soft and squishy, my eyes starting to smart as I take in his face again.

There’s something different about him—a softness that wasn’t there before.

Or maybe it’s a calm. His eyes look clear, bright, like he’s seeing everything and isn’t about to start fighting it with snarky comments and two fists.

Brushing my thumb across his neck, I gently tell him, “I didn’t need you to change for me, Carson. I loved you just the way you were.”

His eyebrows pucker, his jaw clenching tight.

“I don’t need you to become someone else. I just wanted you to be with me. To choose me. To let me in.” My breath catches, and my chaotic heart is threatening a fresh round of tears.

I can’t do that here with all these people around, so I take the easy way out and spin, ready to walk out into the cold, dark night and?—

Carson catches my wrist, his voice strong and urgent. “I choose you.”

I still, the world around me fading as I glance back over my shoulder and take in his steady gaze.

“Every time, over everything else, I choose you.”

My heart stops beating for a second, and all I can do is blink at him.

“I’m miserable without you.” His gaze softens even more, glowing with tender affection as he gently tugs me forward and cinches me around the waist. I let him drag me against him, unable to take my eyes off his face…

and that look in his eyes. “I couldn’t just stay the way I was.

I needed to become a better man for you.

And that’s what I’ve been working on. All of it. It’s all for you.”

Holy shit, his face right now.

This emotion blooms in my chest, big and beautiful, overpowering my ability to speak. The tide is turning and hope—beautiful, powerful hope—is taking out all my defenses.

“You inspire me to be my best self, and I’m so grateful for that, Nylah.

And I’m ready. I’m ready for us now. I’m all in.

” A flash of uncertainty skitters over his expression.

“I mean, I still have to keeping working, you know? There’s more.

But… I’m ready to let you be a part of it.

If you… if you want me back.” He swallows, and I swear I’m not gonna be able to contain myself for much longer.

My lips start to tremble, and I pull them into a tumultuous smile, trying to control the happy tears that are swelling my throat.

He wants me.

He is here to win me back.

Gentle fingers brush down my face, his eyes still warm with affection as he whispers three words that I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to hear from him. “I love you.”

My lips part, a soft laugh scuttling out between them. “Wow. You really mean that.”

“I do.” A smile grows across his face, unchecked and beautiful, and I brush my thumb over his lower lip. “I really love you, kitten.”

I laugh, resting my forehead on his shoulder and trying to wrap my head around this amazing, incredible thing.

He loves me. He just said it. Twice .

Sniffing and blinking, I clamp my lips against the giddy laughter bubbling inside me and lean back to look at him.

Swallowing down the boulder in my throat, I play with the hair at the nape of his neck and whisper, “I love you too.”

And before I can call him my caveman , he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. It’s a sweet kiss, tender and filled with promise, and when his arm wraps around my waist a little tighter and he lifts me off the floor, I know that I’ll choose him too. Every time. Over everything else.