Page 28 of The Perfect Mistake

He’s quiet for a moment too long. “It’s a well-planned event.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Alec glances down at me, and there’s a flash of surprise in his eyes. “No,” he admits. “I’m not enjoying myself.”

“Why not?”

He spins me around slowly, and I wonder if it’s to give himself time to think. He pulls me closer, our bodies separated only by a few inches. “I haven’t enjoyed parties in years,” he finally answers.

“I haven’t been to one in years.”

“How come?”

I lift my free shoulder in a shrug. “Professional dancer.”

“Ah. No time?”

“No time,” I agree.

His hand tightens on my waist, and he tugs me half an inch closer. “I should have thought about that before I asked you to dance. You’re a pro. I’m certainly not.”

That makes me smile. “Your leading is excellent.”

“And you’re being kind. Again.”

“I can be kind and honest,” I say.

He sighs. “Those two things are rarely true at the same time.”

I take a deep breath, and the scent of him washes over me again. Cologne, clean skin, and man. “Maybe not in a high-stakes corporate world.”

“Not anywhere,” he says. Our thighs brush, just once, as we take another dance step. There’s so much of him. Always has been. He takes up more than his share of space.

“Maybe that’s your experience,” I say quietly.

He’s quiet for a while, but then he nods, and his voice is warmer. “Are you free to party more now, then? Since you’re not working every single night.”

“I suppose I would have been, but I accepted a job that involves standby childcare.”

His lips twitch. “Ah. Yes, so you did.”

“Maybe when I’m done nannying,” I say.

“You have a free day most weekends,” he says. “That leaves ample time for… hobbies.”

I chuckle. “Maybe I need to find some. There wasn’t a lot of time for hobbies before, beyond reading.”

He makes a thoughtful sound. “You’ve been training since you were… what was it? Eight?”

“Five,” I say.

He makes a humming sound, and the silence between us stretches on. I look to the side, at the other dancers. A few are throwing curious glances our way. That makes my cheeks heat up. I wasn’t even thinking about where we are. Maybe everyone is curious about who Alec is dancing with. He’s been a widow for five years, and Connie mentioned that he doesn’t date.

His voice is in my ear. “I haven’t danced in a very long time.”

“You haven’t forgotten how,” I say.

He gives a low half chuckle. Amusement? From Alec Connovan? “It certainly feels like I have,” he mutters. “In more ways than one.”

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