Page 40 of I Wanna Dance

“Marco, right?”

“Kevin.” I didn’t really want to talk to thispendejo, but I also didn’t want to make a scene at Leah’s event with so many people milling around.

He was a little drunk from what I could tell. He had a whiskey glass in hand.

“She’s something, isn’t she, our Leah.”

Mine, you asshole, not yours.

“How’s Brittany?”

His jaw tightened.

“Dumped your ass, did she?” I used the exact words I remembered him saying to Leah when he suggested I’d break things off with her.

He looked at me with anger. I found that I enjoyed pissing him off. Then, because he was a narcissistic sociopath, his face went from enraged to a sharp and calculating smile.

“The thing with women like Brittany? They’re tight and young and exciting.”

“If you say so,” I muttered.

“Not like Leah, right? She’s got some miles on her, but she’s still...well, you know.”

I really wanted to punch this guy. “She’s amazing, and I can see why you’re all bent out of shape about losing her.”

He tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle he was trying to figure out. “You seem like a smart guy, Marco. So let me ask you—do you really think I’ve lost her?”

“Kevin, I don’t give a flying?—”

“Come on, man. You’ve seen her, all needy and wanting validation all the time.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Even now, when I call, she comes running. She always has.”

The guy was a lying prick and the fact that he thought he could slander Leah and I’d believe him told me how far gone he was.

“I think I’ve had enough of your bullshit.”

I was about to walk away when he added, “I’m just saying, old habits die hard. You know how it is—history, comfort. Sometimes, you just fall back into what’s familiar.”

“You really think I’m going to believe that Leah would let you touch her?” When he glared at me, I laughedathim. “She’s so way out of your league, asshole. Now, why don’t you trot your drunk ass someplace else, ‘cause I’m very close to rearranging your face. Considering what an asshole you are, I’m sure several lawyers in this room who will be happy to defend me even if I get arrested for beating the crap out of you.”

A couple of people stared at us. Damn it, this was just what I didn’t want to do. Leah didn’t need this.

Leah walked up to me then, and I saw her stiffen when she saw Kevin. I slid an arm around her. “Come on,cariño. Let’s get out of here.”

“What did he say?” Leah asked urgently as I hurried her out of the ballroom.

“Doesn’t matter.” I steered her to the entrance, handed my ticket to the valet, added a couple of bills, and asked the kid to get my car out quickly.

“What didhewant?” she demanded as we waited.

“He was being his usual asshole self.”

Once we were driving, she stared out of the window, silent, seething.

“Leah, don’t let him affect you. I’m not.”

“What did he say to you?” Her voice was tremulous.

“He was trying to tell me that you’re still sleeping with him.”

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