Page 125 of Dear Grumpy Boss

Luca’s brow pulled into a heavy, straight line. “I am baffled. Are you okay?”

The band switched to one of my favorites songs, and my chest panged. “I don’t know. No, probably not. I wanted to dance.”

Luca lifted my hand from my lap, rubbing his thumb over the top of it. “I’m not Weston Aldrich, but I do all right on the dance floor. Can I give you a spin?”

For the first time since Weston walked away, I perked up. “I would really love that, Luca.”

It wasn’t surprising Luca was suave on the dance floor. He spun me and swung me, making me laugh and ignore the ache in my chest. The music slowed, and he reeled me in, one of my hands in his, the other around my waist. He was a gentleman with me, keeping space between us while I was in his careful arms.

“How are you?” he asked, sweeping me with his concerned gaze.

“Disappointed. I had been looking forward to tonight. If you weren’t here, I think I would be ordering an Uber right now.”

A crease appeared between his dark brows. “If you want to go now, I’ll take you home.”

I sighed. “One more dance, okay?”

“Anything you want.”

Luca led me through the exquisitely dressed people, twirling me and making me feel floaty. One dance turned into two, and then I lost count.

When the music slowed again, Luca smirked, something devious lighting his expression. “Our picture has been taken quite a few times since we hit the floor.”

“Has it?” I’d noticed a few members of the press and some photographers circling around the room, but I hadn’t thought much of it since I wasn’t anyone interesting. Luca was, though. As the bad boy heir to a motorcycle dynasty, Luca often made it into the press simply by showing up places and looking like he did.

“Mmhmm. It’s going to absolutely burn West up when pictures of the two of us dancing are published everywhere.”

I wanted to be delighted by that, but it only made me sad. Pictures with Luca were fine, but pictures with Weston would have been even better. Tonight was supposed to be our night, but it had been derailed quickly and completely into something that was making me second-guess everything.

Luca noticed I wasn’t laughing with him and he held me tighter, squeezing my hand in his. “He’s messing up with you right now, but you have to understand, Weston’s like a machine when it comes to his company. I’m going to speculate he has no idea how long he’s been gone.”

“Well, I do.” The knot in my throat made my words soft.

“Yeah, you do.” Luca was so gentle with me, swaying me to the slow, rhythmic beat of a ballad. “I’m sorry for that.”

I let my eyes close and gave myself over to Luca for a moment. He’d probably left his Bond girl to take care of me. I would let him go at the end of the song so he could find her. One of us deserved to have a fun night.

Then Luca stopped moving and I was being tugged in another direction. My eyes flew open as I collided with Weston’s chest. Luca’s hand was still on my back, a look of concern shooting from his dark eyes.

“I’ve got her now,” Weston said lowly.

“It’s about time.” Every trace of Luca’s trademark humor had dropped. “You should be thanking me for taking care of Elise instead of treating me like an enemy.” His attention turned to me. “Are you okay? Offer stands to take you home.”

“I’mherenow, Luca. Elise doesn’t need a ride.” Weston swept me away from Luca as if he was trying to steal me. The only thing stopping me from pushing away from him was that I wouldn’t make a scene.

Luca stayed focused on me. “Elise?”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. Thank you so much for keeping me company.”

Weston was positively rigid, and I could feel the rumble in his chest when Luca pecked me on the cheek.

“Anytime, beautiful,” he murmured. “I’m always here for you.”

He didn’t bother saying anything to Weston before he walked away, but that had been statement enough.

“Elise,” Weston ground out. “I’m—”

“I’d like to go now.” I flattened my palms on his chest, staring at a spot somewhere over his shoulder because I couldn’t bring myself to look at him right now. “If you’re not ready, I’ll take an Uber.”

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