Page 76 of Something to Someone

Alarm bells were going off in my mind. Blaring and warning me against getting closer or crossing another line. But those same alarms that were screaming only a few months ago, had slowly grown quieter. It was more like a quiet, annoying beep when a smoke detector’s batteries were low.

It was annoying but manageable. And once you got used to it, you barely heard it at all.

“Okay,” I found myself saying. Ryder’s smile widened, and a part of me felt lighter knowing I put that smile there.

He led me onto the dance floor, and although no one was payingattention to us, I felt like everyone was. Except for Natalie who caught my eye across the floor and smiled softly as she laid her head against Theo’s chest.

We weaved between a few couples, and Ryder spun me once before his arm wrapped around me and settled against my lower back. The other found my right hand as he guided us around the dance floor.

“When did you learn how to dance?”

“My mom taught me a while ago.”

“I had no idea,” I muttered as I rested my hand on his shoulder and tried to let him lead.

Ryder pulled me closer and leaned down until his mouth was next to my ear. “I just haven’t had the opportunity to show off my skills.”

His lips brushed the shell of my ear, and I shivered. So close, with his arms around me, he didn’t miss my reaction. I felt his smile against my neck as he kissed me.

“I…uh…I talked to your mom,” I said, pulling back so I could see his face. With eyebrows raised, Ryder waited for me to continue. “She knows.”

When he didn’t react, I clarified. “About us.”

I waited, expecting shock, confusion,something, but his expression didn’t change. I tossed my right hand into the air in exasperation.

“Why are you so calm about this?” I said a little too loudly. A few people glanced at us, and I gave them an apologetic smile.

Ryder placed his hand I’d dropped in exasperation on my other hip while I rested mine on his bicep.

“Theo gave me a heads up this morning.”

“And you couldn’t have shared this knowledge?”

He glanced around the room. “You were a little busy putting all of this together. Which is phenomenal, by the way.”

“Thank you, but what did Theo tell you?” I asked, brushing past his compliment. “You didn’t think this was important enough information to interrupt me for?”

“He told me that she knew, but he didn’t tell her anything. He was right last night—we’re not all that sneaky,” he said.

“Ryder, you should have?—”

“He also said that she wasn’t upset. That she just wanted the truth.”

My eyes bounced between his, and I didn’t detect a hint of deceit behind the blue. Taking a deep breath, I let my shoulders relax. “I still wish you would’ve told me,” I said.

He nodded and looked appropriately apologetic. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

I licked my lips and bit the lower one to hide my smile. Ryder noted the attempt and leaned in like he was going to kiss me.

“Not here,” I whispered angrily.

“Everyone you were nervous about knowing knows, so what’s the harm?”

“I’m still technically working,” I argued and attempted to extricate myself from his arms. Only he tightened his hold, and my attempt wasn’t that valiant.

“Okay, you’re right. I won’t do it again.” I nodded, and he waved to one of the other groomsmen who was looking at us with shock and awe.

Freaking hell.

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