Page 7 of Jilted

I spoke through a sugary smile. “Bite me.”

He chuckled. “Later for that, love.”

“Would you like to dance?”

Two long hours later, I was back in my black dress, sitting at a table with a bunch of strangers. I looked up to find Wilder’s sparkling eyes.

“No, thanks.” I looked away.

Undeterred, he took Elijah’s empty seat next to me. “Do you suck at dancing?”

I shook my head. “Does anything positive ever come out of your mouth? In the sum total of five minutes we’ve conversed, you’veinsulted the way I looked in a dress, asked me if I dyed my hair, and now you want to know if I suck at dancing?”

“I didn’t insult the way you looked in the dress. I saidthe dresswas horrible, which it was.Youwould look good in anything.”

I cupped my ear. “Was that… a compliment?”

“I would’ve given you another if you’d let me. I asked about your hair color because it’s beautiful.”

“But only beautiful if it’s natural?”

He smiled. “Is the guy you’re with your boyfriend?”

“What business is that of yours?”

“I have a lot of bad habits, but hitting on women who are in a relationship isn’t one of them.”

I arched a brow. “So this is you hitting on me? I think you might need a lesson on what women want.”

“ThatI definitely do not need.” He took my hand, stood, and dragged me to my feet. “Dance with me, beautiful.”

God, was I so big a sucker that onebeautifulwas going to erase all the insults?No. No, I’m not.No matter how much my body lit up from being close to the guy. “I’m going to pass.”

“Let me buy you a drink?”

“The drinks are free.”

“Two then?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “One drink. But only because my date disappeared a half hour ago with a man who is prettier than me, so I’m bored.”

“Good to know.” He again laced his fingers with mine and led us to one of the bars.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Just water, thanks.”

“Why not something with alcohol?”

“Because I’m technically working.”

Wilder’s brows drew together. “Working?”

“I’m covering the wedding for a magazine.”

“Which one?”

“Bride.”

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