Page 61 of The Wrong Date Deal

“You’re welcome.” She looked away. “You sure you don’t want a ride?”

“I’m sure.” She watched August for a long, loaded moment. “You should consider keeping a Thursday night open. Maybe not this week, but soon.”

“What? Why?”

“Because isn’t that the night you said they invited you to another class?”

“Oh. Um. Yes.”

Piper nodded, smiling an overwhelmingly sweet smile. “Maybe I’ve been won over by the rumba and want to give it another try.”

“Oh. Right.”

“We can talk about it.” She shot August one last look as she stepped out of the door. “Night, August.”

Piper was already four steps down the hallway before August choked out a response.

“So,” Ford said,fartoo happily, when August closed the door and turned back towards him. “How was your night?”

August groaned. “You’re such a dick.”

He laughed heartily. “You only think so when you’re embarrassed and hiding things.”

“How could I be hiding anything? You’re in my house.”

“Mm. Catching you slow dancing in the dark with a beautiful woman.”

“It’s not dark,” August insisted, waving wildly at the low lamps she had switched on.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“Haven’t a clue.”

“Jesus. You must really like her if you’re being this obtuse.”

“Like who?” August asked, slightly petulantly.

He laughed, heading towards the kitchen. “Oh, I don’t know. Who could I possibly be talking about? I mean, I walk into your apartment to find you staring at some gorgeous woman you haven’t stopped talking about and you’re wondering who I mean? Truly, a real mystery.”

August glowered as he reappeared with two smoothies from her fridge. “Why are you here?”

“Ah.” His smug energy faltered slightly.

August narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Ford, seriously, what happened?”

He waved a hand as he took a large swig of his smoothie. “It’s nothing, don’t worry.”

“Yeah, now I’m more worried.”

He watched her for a moment, something battling on his face that August didn’t fully understand. Maybe it was worth getting caught with Piper just to have given him a momentary respite from whatever had driven him here tonight.

“Holly…” he finally breathed.

“Your roommate?”

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