Page 18 of The ABCs of You & Me

“Yes, please!”

I wait for her to lock her door then offer my arm. At first she looks at it like I’ve offered her a carrot. “Figured we should get into character sooner rather than later.”

“Right.” Her cheeks redden ever so slightly. “Because we are dating.”

“That’s the story I’m sticking to.”

“Yeah, same, me too.” She looks nervous, and I don’t know if it’s the thought of dating me, of pretending or just overall nerves about seeing her ex. But Sophie is going to enjoy her night if it’s the last thing I do.

I watch her fidget for the entire twenty-minute drive to the gala. Her left foot in particular is keeping a beat I can’t make out. Almost like it’s at a rave for one. At some point I reach over and take her hand. I only mean to give it a squeeze to hopefully help calm her nerves, but when she squeezes back I can’t bring myself to let go. So I just hold on, my thumb eventually drawing circles across the back of her hand. When we arrive and I have to let go, all I want to do is take her hand again, and so when we’re both out of the car, that’s exactly what I do. She even moves in closer as we walk toward the entrance, and when I offer to take her coat she lets me.

As the fabric comes away from her body, it feels like I’m opening my Christmas and birthday gifts all at once. Every time I think the skin will stop it doesn’t. Once the coat is off I can’t bring myself to move. I am met by the sight of Sophie Hore’s entire back, the dress starting again right above her perfect ass.

“Ticket, sir?”

“Wha… sorry?” I say, blinking away from Sophie’s back and looking at the coat room attendant holding a ticket out for me, his other hand outstretched waiting for her coat. “Yes, sorry.” I shake my head and make the exchange before repeating the process with my own.

“The blue suits you,” she says, her eyes roaming over me.

“The blue suits that green,” I say, following her lead and letting myself look at her. It’s a good thing I’ve reached an age where I have some control over my body because sixteen-year-old me would be running and hiding in the bathroom right about now. Sophie looks like she was poured into the emerald green gown. From the front she appears fully covered, even her arms, but then she turns and it’s all skin. And for all people know, all that skin on display is just for me. And tonight, I guess it kind of is.

“Let’s do this, sunshine.” I hold my arm out for her to take again, and she does without hesitation.

The ballroom is huge and teeming with people. I wouldn’t be surprised if we go the whole night without running into Sophie’s ex. That is until I hear her name being called and turn to see a man approaching, practically dragging a much younger woman behind him. Sophie tenses, and I move my hand to her back, momentarily forgetting that I’m about to place it on her bare skin. I slide it down her back and then possessively curl it around her hip so no one will question who she’s with. I’ve never been one to play a game without plans to win it.

The guy seems to be coming in for some kind of physical greeting so I pull Sophie in tighter and angle us so if he tries for a kiss on the cheek he’s going to get air or my shoulder. He bails almost as fast as he tries it, and when I glance at Sophie she’s looking at me with relief.

“I was told you weren’t going to make it. It’s lovely to see you,” the guy says, tugging the woman behind him so she is standing closer to us. He’s posturing, trying to show Sophie who he replaced her with. And no offense to the poor woman, but she doesn’t hold a candle to the goddess in my arms. When I look back at Soph, she’s not looking at her ex but at the woman. She doesn’t look upset or angry, just worried, and I don’t blame her. Anger surges through me, imagining him dragging her around like that too.

“I changed my mind,” she says, now looking up at me, a giant smile on her face. Her right hand lands on my chest, and the combination of the smile and her touch makes it hard to breathe.

“Dr. Gregory Dickson, keynote speaker for this evening,” the guy says, holding his hand out in greeting. I spare it a glance before my eyes return to Sophie.

“If you’ll excuse us, Soph and I were just going to find our seats.” Ignoring his proffered hand, I let Sophie guide me around them toward the table we’ve been assigned to sit at.

“I won’t lie,” I say quietly, my lips nearly brushing her ear. “I’ve never felt the need to punch someone in the face for simply existing. What a hodenkobold.”

“A what?” She stops dead and looks up at me.

“Hodenkobold?” She nods. “German for testicle gremlin.”

She glances back to where we left Gregory and laughs. “He is definitely a hodenkobold with a very punchable face.”

“I commend you for lasting five years without giving in.” I look around and notice people are still mingling. “Do you want to sit now, or is there anyone you’d like to connect with, preferably someone a little less punchable?”

She smiles softly at me before looking around. “My friend Edwin is over there, let’s go say hi.”

She turns toward the group, worrying her lip. I reach up with my thumb and drag it out from between her teeth. “You’re going to ruin your makeup, sunshine.” I want to tell her that I’d like to be the one who does that, but I keep that to myself.

I hold my hand out and watch her transform from an uncertain person to one who’s about to own this room the minute her fingers slide between mine. It’s hot, and I have to remind myself that it’s an act, albeit one I’m glad to participate in.

“Goddamn, girl!” The guy Sophie pointed out as Edwin says the minute he sees her. “I know what you’re doing, but I have a feeling it’s working too well. He hasn’t taken his eyes off your sexy ass since you walked in.” Sophie rolls her eyes and drops my hand to pull him in for a hug.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here. Last I heard you were on the west coast trekking through rainforests searching for bears.”

“I was, then I found one.” He points at the man standing behind him. “Nolan, this is a former student turned friend, Sophie. And?” He turns toward me and looks at Sophie expectantly.

“Oh, sorry, Edwin, Nolan, this is Foster. Foster, Edwin and Nolan.” We all shake hands, and once the greetings are out of the way, I wrap my arm around her waist again and relish the way she relaxes into me. Pretending to be into this woman is almost too easy.

---