Page 125 of The Fine Line
“No, it’s okay,” she cuts in. “I know how easily all your blondes blur together. I’ll make sure to wear a number on my back next time.”
“Cub—”
She’s already storming off toward the dance floor.
I start after her, but then I see Linda out of the corner of my eye. She notices me immediately, raising one brow, mid-conversation.
I pause. Straighten my tie. Force my shoulders to relax before turning and continuing to walk like I’m calm and collected.
It only takes a second to spot Caroline.
She’s standing on the edge of the dance floor, head bent as she whispers something to someone, her arm looped around theirs.
She pulls them onto the dance floor, dragging them into the lights.
And that’s when I realize?—
It’s Mick Davis.
twenty-nine
CAROLINE
“Dick, dance with me.”
Mick chokes on his drink, turning away from the brunette he’s chatting with. “Excuse me?”
I know Rhett has to be approaching by now. I toss my head back in a laugh and pluck Mick’s drink from his hand, setting it down on the nearest table.
I hold my hand out to him. “Take it.”
When he doesn’t move, I add, “Now.”
He looks at me like I’ve officially lost it. But something in my voice must strike the right nerve, because after a beat, he takes my hand.
“Great,” I say, looping my arm through his and dragging him toward the dance floor. “Now let’s dance.”
“Um, I don’t really want to right now?—”
“But you will anyway, right?” I ask.
“Why should I?”
“Because I asked you nicely.”
“By cock-blocking me and calling me ‘Dick’?”
I purse my lips. “Okay, then maybe becauseyou and I recently came to a truce. And now you’d like to prove to me that you meant it.”
Mick blinks at me, weighing the situation, then finally exhales and gives in. I don’t waste a second. One arm hooks around his neck, my other hand pulls his to my waist, and we start to dance.
“Okay, here we are,” Mick says. “Now what is the reason for this? Because I know you don’t actually want to dance with me.”
“Sure I do.”
He stops moving and cocks his head, clearly waiting for the real answer.
“Fine,” I sigh. “It’s Rhett.”
