Page 13 of Maggie

He’d probably seen her band. She wanted him to get to know her as herself, though, not as a celebrity. She didn’t want to tell him about her job right away if she could avoid it.

“Did you go to the rehearsal dinner, maybe?” he asked.

She closed her eyes and moved with him. “No. I flew in this morning. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make any of the pre-wedding events.”

“That’s a shame. I take it that you aren’t from around here?”

“Mmm.” She opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at him. “Not anymore. I grew up here, but I moved for school. Now, I travel a lot with my job.”

“What do you do?” His hands slid to her lower back.

She laughed softly. “I’m in the entertainment industry.”

“An actress?”

“No.”

“A blogger?”

“No.”

He grinned. “I know. A traveling stripper?”

She barked a laugh. “No.”

He chuckled. “Damn. Are you going to tell me?”

She smiled at him. “Not now. I don’t want it to influence your opinion of me.”

He narrowed his eyes and looked like he was trying to work out a puzzle. “Interesting,” he said.

He grasped her hand and unexpectedly spun her outward in a graceful dance move. He stretched their arms out so that she stretched away as far as she could, then pulled her back to his chest.

He caught her and grinned. “Beautiful.”

She laughed. “That was great. Do you dance?”

His smile faded for a moment, but then returned. “I used to. Not so much anymore. I’m making an exception for such a beautiful partner. Plus, I had to get you away from Prudence somehow. I’m not even part of the family, but I’ve heard all about her reputation.”

“Well, thank you. I appreciate the rescue.” Maggie smiled. “What’s your name?”

“Wylder. You?”

That name sounded familiar. Why?

“Maggie,” she said.

A look of recognition crossed Wylder’s face, but then he shook his head and it quickly faded.

The song ended, and Wylder kissed Maggie’s hand. He stepped away and respectfully gave her a half bow. “Thank you for the dance, Maggie. It was great to meet you.”

“Thanks, Wylder. You, too.”

Wylder smiled at her, then walked away. Maggie’s heart sank as she watched his back move further away. She tried to shake off the feeling and went back to socializing.

Maggie successfully avoided Prudence for the rest of the reception. The event quickly wound down once everyone wished the happy couple good luck, and they left in a painted “Just married” car for their honeymoon.

Maggie’s parents headed home, and she said goodbye to them then. She would leave bright and early in the morning, so it made more sense for her to stay at a hotel near the airport.

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