Page 56 of The Accidental Text

I let myself indulge in the feeling of dancing with Dawson as he continues to lead me. It’s so enchanting that I find myself laughing as I let him guide me around the floor. Dawson is laughing and smiling too.

Well done, Chase the wingman.

I look over Dawson’s shoulder to see my dad and June joining everyone on the dance floor, my dad doing his best “dad” moves as June bops along with him. So many thoughts enter my mind at once, but I push them out and focus back on Dawson. I need to stay in the moment. And this isthemoment. Or at least the start of the moment.

When the song ends and a jazzy slow number starts up, for a moment I wonder if I should ask him to dance, if I shouldmake a move, but then Dawson gives me a look. His blue eyes are bright, and it feels like there are so many words written in them. Without saying anything, I move in and I feel his hand on my waist, pulling me toward him. My heart skips a few beats as I go to put my hand on his shoulder. I feel drawn in by his eyes, which seem to be penetrating mine. This is turning out better than I’d hoped.

“BABE!” I hear a squeal to my left and I jerk back as ridiculous pink fake-fur arms wrap around Dawson’s neck.

“Natasha,” Dawson says as he attempts to untangle himself from her. He’s not successful.

“Sorry I’m late,” she says, pulling him toward her and planting a big lip-gloss kiss on his cheek. Under her massive pink fluffy jacket, she’s wearing a white shirt and a skirt that barely covers her lady bits. She also has on over-the-top tall black stilettos. Her blonde hair is slick and straight, and there’s so much contouring and highlighting going on with her flawless skin, she looks nearly plastic.

What in the hell?Sorry she’s late?Did he invite her?

Dawson clears his throat, looking at a loss for words. With Natasha’s arms still around his neck, he gestures to me. “You remember Maggie?”

She turns her face so now she and Dawson are cheek to cheek. Her eyes widen, like she had no idea I was standing there, about to dance with the man she has nearly in a headlock.

“Oh, hey, Maddie,” she says.

“Maggie,” Dawson corrects her.

“What?” she asks, looking at him and scrunching her perfect button nose. “I can’t really hear you over the music.”

Yep. I’ve been unceremoniously put in my place. That trollop. And here I thought Robin was going to be mycompetition tonight. Now there’s a whole new wrench in the plans.

Natasha gives me a little shrug, as if she gave it her best effort. “I’m thirsty; let’s go get a drink,” she says to Dawson. She releases her arms from his neck and entangles her hand with his.

For Dawson’s part, he looks a little pained. He gives me a thin smile. I give him one back. And then—looking almost resigned—he lets Natasha drag him off the dance floor, where I stand in the center, couples dancing around me.

What just happened?

Chapter 17

Ikind of feel like laughing one of those maniacal laughs. Seriously, what just happened? I’m not sure where to start. This whole evening is so ridiculous, it borders on comical.

“Hey,” Chase says. He’s standing next to me and I have no idea how he got there—I never saw him approach.

I feel instant relief at his presence, so grateful to have him here. Even if he’s part of the reason this night is so farcical. The fact that he’s here, but also that he’s suddenly become a life force tonight. A beacon.

Without words he faces me, grabbing my hand and placing it on his shoulder, and then he wraps his hand around my waist, pulling me toward him, our bodies pressed together. He grabs my other hand with his and lifts it up and then begins to move us in a circle.

“What happened?” he asks, leaning in so we’re nearly cheek to cheek, his mouth right by my ear. He’s tall, so he has to lean his head down to meet mine.

“Natasha happened,” I say, spying my dad and June on the other side of the dance floor, dancing and smiling at each other.

“Ah, Natasha,” Chase says.

I pull back so I can see his face. “Please tell me I didn’t text my mom about Natasha.” What a waste of words that would have been.

He gives me that slight smile and then leans in again. “Nah, I can just put two and two together.”

“Right. Well, he invited her, apparently.”

“Oh,” is all he says, drawing out the word.

“Yeah,” I say, leaning closer to him so we’re nearly cheek to cheek again.

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