Page 20 of Perfect Blend

Kids.I rubbed my palm over my chest to ease the debilitating ache clawing in there. “You’re doing something incredible.” While we’d reconnected over the past month, he’d talked about the various charity work he did throughout the year. I was in awe of him.

The air was charged as we smiled at each other for several long moments.

“Should we try the choreography with the heels?”

Stop thinking about how his lips taste and focus.“Good idea.”

I slipped them back on and ignored my feet screaming at me. How did people wear these every day? “Are you going to shave your beard or throw some glitter in it to match the wig?”

“I shave it every year.”

I couldn’t wait to see his dimples in all their glory.

I wobbled like my ankles were made of slinkies when I took a step.

“Where’s that confidence now, huh?” Dave leaned against the edge of his kitchen counter.

“Smug bastard.” I stuck my arms out to help me balance as I tentatively stepped like a little kid on roller skates for the first time. “Are these heels made of pencils? There’s no stability.”

He laughed. “They’re thicker than a hot dog and only two inches. You’ll be fine.”

I stumbled again. “I need to practice.” I squared my shoulders and attempted to walk as normally as possible toward Dave.

“There you go. Youalmostlook like you don’t have a plunger up your ass. Now try to make it over here without spraining something.”

I focused on taking slow and careful steps toward Dave. I would need to practice a lot if I didn’t want to make a complete fool of myself on Saturday. When I was only a few steps from Dave, my ankle rolled, and I flailed. Dave caught me before I face-planted onto the floor and broke my nose.

“You okay?” He gripped my biceps as our chests pressed together.

“My hero,” I said on a breathy exhale.

Dave stared at my lips. I licked them, cupped his hip, thoughtfuck it, and leaned in. He came willingly as his mouth snapped to mine like a magnet. Like our bodies had been craving this for days, maybe years. Dave’s lips moved gently against mine. I eased my tongue between them as I tightened my grip on his hip. When he slid his fingers into my hair, I let out a faint whimper. It was the perfect first kiss, and I already wanted to do it again and again and again.

He slowly pulled back. “Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“I—” He chuckled and shook his head.

I so badly wanted him to finish his sentence, but I wouldn’t push. He didn’t appear to be freaking out, which gave me hope I would get to do it again. “So.”

“So,” he replied as he released my arms.

I wobbled but managed my balance. “I’ll be sure to practice.”

“Good idea. Thanks for doing this with me.” He smiled softly.

I fought the urge to kiss both dimples. “I’m looking forward to it.” Maybe he would give me a thank-you kiss, or more, after the show. I could keep my emotions in check if we decided to go there. It didn’t have to change anything. Hell, I stayed friends after having sex with people before.Yeah, in college. How many of those people are you friends with now? How many of them did you like as much as you like Dave?I told the little voice in my head to piss off.

“Me too.” His eyes had an almost wild look in them.

“I guess I’d better go practice some more and work on the article before bed. Thanks for a great evening.”

We chatted about details for Saturday while I changed my shoes and collected my dress and wig. Dave walked me to his door a few minutes later. Neither of us reached for the doorknob.

“Do you want to go with me to the event at Bee’s Dahlia Farm tomorrow? I could introduce you to some people.”

I seized the offer like the last lifeboat on theTitanic. “I’d love that. Leave from the coffee shop?”

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