Page 73 of Not Fooling Anyone

“Do you really think I’m wrong?” I ask, curious as to what he’ll say.

“Actually, I think you’re right. I just like playing devil’s advocate.”

I roll my eyes. Of course he does.

“So what would you like if you win?”

I tap my index finger against my chin. “How about another pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream?”

“Done.”

“And if you win?” Not that he’s going to. Girls always get the short end of the stick at parties like this.

He sticks a thumb over his shoulder. “You have to dance with me out there.”

I look behind him where he’s indicating, the living room packed with bodies. That’s easy enough. If I can find Savannah, it would actually be the perfect thing to do in front of her. “Deal.”

He leans in, whispering, “Incoming. Your seven o’clock.”

I’m still trying to figure out where that is in relation to me when I hear a familiar, “Ethan. You came.”

He wraps an arm around my waist, tugging me in closer to his hard body. I brace a hand against his chest, savoring the way Savannah’s mouth turns down slightly at the action. “Thanks for inviting us,” he says to her. “We’re having a great time.”

“Awesome,” she replies unconvincingly, still only looking at him. “Well, if you get bored later and want to dance or something, let me know.”

Seriously? I’m right here. “Good idea, Savannah,” I tell her, forcing her to look at me. “We’ll definitely dance in a bit.”

She gives a half-smile before walking off, glancing over her shoulder at Ethan one more time once he can’t see her. The audacity of that girl is unbelievable. She has her pick of guys here. Why is she still lusting after Ethan when she knows he’s taken? Is it only because he’s mine?

Shethinkshe’s mine, I correct myself. I don’t actually have any kind of claim to him.

I step out of his personal space as soon as she’s out of sight, a small part of me missing the connection, as weird as that seems.

Ethan takes a sip from his cup, glancing around, then points toward the bedroom door, the handle turning. “I think we might have our answer soon.”

The guy exits first with a cat who ate the canary grin on his face, Heather close behind, wiping at her mouth.

“See?” I declare triumphantly. “Tell me she didn’t just give him head.”

A guy passing by us stops to stare at me. Guess I should keep my voice down. “Move along,” I tell him, shooing him away. “Nothing to see here.”

Ethan’s grinning widely as I look back at him. “The evidence certainly supports your theory.” He strokes his beard thoughtfully. “I’ll give you the win.”

“And the ice cream?”

“Yes. I officially apologize on behalf of men everywhere.” He bows low in some kind of exaggerated courtly gesture. “We are disgusting, selfish creatures.”

“Stop that,” I hiss, tugging at his arm to pull him back up before anyone sees him. “Come on.”

I lead him toward the living room, smiling when I spot Savannah just beyond the edge of the dance floor. Perfect.

“Where are we going?” he asks, raising his voice to be heard over the music, loud now as we reach the periphery of dancers.

“To dance.”

“But I lost the bet.”

I turn around to face him. “Do you want to dance or not?”

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