Page 20 of I Wanna Dance

I nodded.

“Where they made you feel bad about yourself?”

I stopped moving. “Need a break,” I called out to Viviana, who nodded.

Marco held my hand as he walked me to the table where there was water and plastic cups. I filled a glass, guzzled it, and did it again.

“They’re my kids. It’s silly to be afraid of them.”

I felt like a coward.

Marco put his hands on my shoulder and, not caring who said what brushed his lips against mine. “Not silly at all. I’d be scared shitless if I were you.”

That elicited a snort from me.

“Do you want to go?” he asked.

“Yes, but?—”

“Then we’ll go.”

I arched an eyebrow. “What?”

“Then we’ll go.” He kissed me again and then frowned. “Who the fuck is Brittany?”

I chuckled. “Kevin’s girlfriend.”

“The physical trainer? The one he cheated on you with?”

“Oh, that was Candy, and she was three or four girlfriends ago,” I stated dryly.

“Brittany sounds like a stripper name.”

“She’s a Pilates instructor and half his age.”

“Sounds like your ex has a type.”

“Blonde, stacked, and young?” I asked bitterly. I’d never been any of those things. Well, I’d been young when we met, but he was my age, so we’d been youngtogether.

“What are you worried about?” he coaxed, drawing me away from the table because Viviana had called for a break, and the others would be coming over to the table.

He led me to one of the tall windows, continuing to hold my hand. It felt good to have someone care about me, about how I was feeling.

“Presley is still so angry with me. Olivia…doesn’t like me. Davis is all cold and formal. He wanted that clerkship, and he worried that if he showed that he cared about me, his father wouldn’t help him. Which he’s probably right about.”

“Like I said, his father is apendejo.” Marco’s grip on my hand tightened slightly, a subtle reassurance. “You’re worried that it’s going to be a minefield, and you don’t know what you’re going to step on.”

“Yes,” I admitted, my voice cracking as panic surged inside me. “The idea of sitting there, with all of them looking at me like I’m some kind of failure. But I have to go, right? Davis finally reached out. This is my chance to rebuild a relationship with my children.”

“You’re not a failure. And you won’t be alone.”

“You really want to come to my family dinner, which will be a total shitshow?”

“I’m Latin. We love drama. And dinner with your ex, his current squeeze, your kids…oh, it’s got telenovela-level drama written all over it.”

I chuckled and rolled up on my toes to kiss him.

“Alright, lovebirds. Back to the dance floor.” Viviana clapped.

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