Page 55 of The Accidental Text

“Ah, yes,” Chase says after he spots him, nodding his head. “Good-looking guy. I would’ve never recognized him from the front, though.”

“Oh my gosh,” I say, laughing again. “Why couldn’t my mom’s number have gone to an old senile woman?”

Chase shrugs. “Someone named Gertrude?”

“She’d totally be a Gertrude.”

“But what kind of wingman would Gertrude even be? No way would she be better than this.” He drags a hand down his torso.

“I haven’t exactly seen your skills yet, have I? Plus, Gertrude wouldn’t remember all my texts.”

“I can’t apologize for my genius brain,” he says, tapping the side of his head.

“I’m not sure that makes you a genius.”

“It does,” he says. “Trust me.”

Chase sets his beer down deliberately and then stands up straight and says, “Let’s do this.”

He walks around to my side of the table, grabs me by the hand, and starts dragging me toward the area where Dawson is standing.

“You can’t … what are … would you …” I sputter as I try to keep up with Chase. I wasn’t ready. I have questions. I was supposed to drink something to loosen myself up, and I haven’t done that yet.

But before I can get any of that out of my head, we’re standing next to Dawson, who’s still talking to Chad. He looks over at me, gives me a relieved look, and then, giving Chad a tap on the back with his hand, excuses himself and walks over to me and Chase.

“Maggie,” he says as he approaches. “You saved me. Chad was getting pretty sentimental there. I think he’s had too much to drink already.”

“Great,” is all I say. I do add an eye roll for emphasis, but that’s it. I’m choking already. I can feel it. KFC, here I come.

Chase puts a hand on my back and very subtly pushes me forward. Right. I’ve got backup. I can do this.

Dawson’s eyes move up to Chase standing just behind me and then back down to me.

“This is Chase Beckett,” I say, taking a step to the side and gesturing toward him with my hand. “He’s interested in having his car wrapped.”

“Sweet,” Dawson says, giving Chase a wide smile. “We’d love to hook you up.”

Dawson is great at running the shop, but I bet he’d give Devon a run for his money with sales. He just oozes charm.

“I’ll definitely be hitting you up,” Chase says. “Maggie here has been giving me all the details.”

Dawson looks at me appreciatively. “Couldn’t run this place without her,” he says, and then gives me a wink.

The music suddenly moves up a bunch of decibels, and the DJ gets on and announces that it’s time to dance. He asks that the team at Cooper’s get this party started and invites us all to the dance floor as he plays an upbeat Beyoncé song.

“I guess we’re supposed to dance,” Dawson says, his voice now loud so he can be heard over the speakers.

“You and Maggie should get out there,” Chase says.

“Right,” says Dawson. Then he holds out a hand to me and my heart speeds up as he says, “Shall we?”

Chase puts his hand on my lower back and nudges me toward Dawson, again. Apparently I was stuck in place.

I put my hand in Dawson’s and pray that my sweaty palms aren’t obvious, then follow him to the dance floor. He grabs my other hand in his and swings me out, pulls me in toward him, and then lets one hand go and swings me out again, spinning me as he brings me in once more.

My eyes widen and I smile. Dawson can dance. Not that I’m surprised by this. He looks like someone who’s good at a lot of things. Like kissing. My stomach is instantly full of butterflies at the thought. I bet he’s an amazing kisser. With just the right amount of tongue.

Focus on the dancing, Maggie. No stepping on toes.

---