Page 52 of Stuck With the Billionaire Grump

“Right, totally,” Eric replies with a chuckle. “Well, hey, so I was thinking about sticking around town for a little while longer…”

My focus drifts away from Eric as my gaze floats over his shoulder.

That’s when I see him.Finally.

Theo is leaning against one of the elegant marble columns that hold up the gorgeous arched ceiling of Blakeley Manor’s ballroom. He has a glass of champagne in his hand, and he looks so…Goodness, he looks incredible. I noticed earlier, of course,when I glided past him down the aisle during the ceremony. I definitely snuck a few looks in his direction when I should’ve been paying attention to the bride and groom.

Suffice to say, Theo Danvers looks insanely good in a suit. Like, unfairly good. Of course, it’s probably an expensive bespoke ensemble that was crafted flawlessly to his specific measurements, but still. I have a feeling he’d look incredible in a potato sack. It’s not something I’ve made a habit of acknowledging, but even when we bicker, I know he’s handsome. Despite the fact that Theo hasn’t followed in his mother’s footsteps, he still looks like he just walked right off the silver screen and into reality.

Stranger than all these thoughts is the fact that Theo is staring at me.

Or rather, staring at me and Eric.

Even from this distance, I can tell that his gaze is flicking back and forth between us, and it occurs to me in that exact moment how close Eric is standing to me.

My cheeks warm. Theo is watching another man flirt with me and he doesnotlook happy about it. Why does that send a thrill down my spine? Why does it make me feel all bubbly and fizzy inside?

I hate Theo Danvers. I always have. He’s an abominable grouch. Plus, I was just following his lead at Camp Hannefort. Because, clearly, he hated me first.

Except, we were kids then. We barely understood our own emotions and behaviors, let alone those of the people around us.

I would have kissed you.That’s what he said in the woods last night. If not for his panic attack, he would have gone through with that stupid spin-the-bottle game and kissed me.

That admission alone changes everything.

Then again, it also changes nothing. Theo lives in California. I live in Cape Cod. Our lives are based about as far away fromeach other as you can get while still remaining in the continental Unites States.

Also, just because I’m capable of admitting that we’re obviously attracted to each other doesn’t mean that we’re meant to be. It doesn’t mean that there’s anything more than natural physical chemistry between us. It doesn’t mean that any kind of romantic relationship would ever work out if we ever attempted it. It doesn’t mean that we’re destined to fall in love.

It doesn’t mean anything.

Not to mention, the idea of love still makes me skittish. Sure, I’ve had a small change of heart after witnessing how incandescently happy Josie is today, but I know I still have further to go before I willingly dive head first into romance.

“…so, maybe we could go together? It could be fun!”

I force my attention back to Eric. He’s got a big, hopeful grin on his face, and I know he just asked me a question, but I can’t even begin to pretend that I know what it was.

“I’m so sorry, Eric, what did you say? My mind is all over the place right now.”

“Oh, of course. I totally get it. You’re in event-management mode. It’s just that there’s this festival in Nantucket next weekend, and I was wondering if you would like to—”

“Hi, Lucy.”

Eric stops mid-sentence at the interruption. I’m pretty sure my heart trips over itself and forgets to beat for a few seconds.

Theo is standing beside us, a polite smile curving the corners of his mouth.

The last thing I ever expected from him was to actually approach me, let alone insert himself in a conversation. That’s not what he does. He’s the sort of person who observes from afar, sticking to the edges of a crowd. He doesn’t interrupt discussions. He doesn’t even contribute to them unless absolutely necessary.

“Hi,” I reply. There are definitely butterflies fluttering in my stomach at his sudden proximity.

“Hey, man,” Eric adds, somewhat begrudgingly.

Theo nods his head vaguely in his direction, but he’s only looking at me. He holds out his hand, palm up.

“Would you like to dance with me?”

Sure enough, the music has slowed down into an old alternative rock song that I remember swaying awkwardly to at middle school dances.

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