Page 42 of Dancing in the Rain

Nik’s big dark eyes widened. “Right. Drew. Gotta meet this dude.”

Peyton had filled her in on the situation on the phone the other day.

Chloe looked up as they entered the room and a smile beamed out. “Nik! Hi!”

“Hi, love bug. Whatcha doin’?”

“Teaching Drew…my dad”—her voice faltered a little but she forged on— “how to play Dark Club.”

Peyton watched Drew rise from the sectional and extend a hand to Nik. “Hi. I’m Drew Sellers.”

“I can’t believe this!” Nik said in an unfamiliar breathless voice.

Peyton frowned. “Uh, Drew, this is my friend, Nikeesha Harris.”

“Pleased to meet you, Nikeesha.”

“Drew Sellers!” Nik went on. “I am such a fan of yours!”

Peyton gave her friend a scrunched-face look. “What?”

Drew’s lips curved with amusement. “You find that hard to believe?” he said to Peyton. “I did have a few fans.”

“You had lots of fans!” Nik protested, her hand on her chest. “You still do!”

“Peyton never heard of me, so she thinks I’m nobody.”

“I never said that.” Peyton frowned at him. Oh, wait. He was teasing.

“My girl’s not a hockey fan,” Nik confirmed to him. “But I am.”

“Since when?” Peyton demanded.

“You’ve been gone for years, Peybay. I’ve acquired a taste for hockey since you’ve been gone. Not to mention Lagavulin Scotch and hot yoga.”

Drew grinned.

Peyton shook her head at her friend, smiling reluctantly.

“Let’s play more,” Chloe said, tugging Drew’s arm.

“You ready to move the bed?” he asked Peyton.

“Give us ten minutes.”

She linked her arm with Nik’s and walked her out and up the stairs.

“He’s gorgeous,” Nik said, patting her chest over her heart. “I mean, I knew he was, but in person…sweet baby Jesus. That smile. Those eyes. Those muscles.”

“Here, let me wipe the drool off your face.”

Nik laughed.

“Did I tell you I saw him naked?”

Nik stopped and set a hand on the door frame, swaying, her mouth open. “Say what?”

Peyton grinned. “I went to his place to talk to him the other day and he answered the door buck naked.”

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