Page 91 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve

CastGamer55:OK, tell me more.

SawyerRox4:Maybe some players want to pursue romance, but others want to make friends, and then others who don’t want to pursue any relationships other than as project teammates or even as enemies, which could be interesting …

CastGamer55:I admit that would be good because it better reflects the actual show. Some people connect as friends, others as lovers, etc. And some actually wish to do others harm.

SawyerRox4:Right! So you see, players on the romance path don’t need an HEA necessarily.

CastGamer55:Wait, that doesn’t follow logically from what you said. It isn’t even relevant. It’s a poor attempt at syllogism.

SawyerRox4:Let me guess – logic major?

CastGamer55:Haha. That doesn’t exist.

SawyerRox4:Too bad, right? Must be philosophy then

CastGamer55:You’re feisty today.

SawyerRox4:Well, you’re a bit argumentive today!

CastGamer55:I still like you though.

SawyerRox4:You mean, like …

CastGamer55:We should give the players an HEA, Mindy.

SawyerRox4:When a reader finishes a romance novel, they actually find the happy endingso satisfying that they want to start a new one. So they can have the HEA and still leave them wanting more.

CastGamer55:Isn’t that what I said?

SawyerRox4:What? No. You’re confusing me. They will be wanting more regardless of whether they have the HEA. You see?

CastGamer55:I'm calling it a night, Mindy. Goodnight.

SawyerRox4:That was abrupt

CastGamer55:Sorry, just tired and maybe a bit irritable. Long week. I’ll see you tomorrow!

Tomorrow.

I took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly, several times.

Was I really going through with this?

Chapter 25

To say I was a bundle of nerves in the school gym, which had been transformed into a glitzy ballroom, was a massive understatement. But it was a kind of nervous excitement, not just the dread I usually felt at events like this.

I’d talked to Peter quietly while Hazel was occupied with guests arriving, and we confirmed the plan to have her parents arrive later. I’d also confirmed all the party details and setup numerous times, so I had little to worry about in terms of logistics. Theoretically.

I talked to Mari for a while before Terry came and stole her away for a dance. I was standing awkwardly (my default pose, really) when I realized I’d erred in not installing potted plants around the perimeter of the space. In romance novels, the ballrooms always featured huge plants for wallflowers to hide behind when the need arose.

Instead, I patted my long hair trailing down my back in a loose, silvery hair tie, wishing I hadn’t let Hazel convince me to put it up tonight. If there was ever a time I needed that security blanket, it was tonight.

And then all thoughts vanished.

A man appeared from the crowd, impeccably dressed in a sleek black suit and bowtie. I resisted the urge to wipe my damp hands on my dress.

Jeff was gorgeous. Why had it taken me so long to notice?

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