Page 167 of Keep This Promise
“Come on, it’s the least you can do.”
I keep myself calm, knowing my options are limited, and I need to think. If I can get him onto the dance floor, I can get to Jo. “One dance?” I ask, wanting confirmation.
“For one drink.” His attempt at being cute isn’t working.
“All right.”
We walk out to the area where I last saw Jo, but I don’t see her as I start to dance. We move to the music, his hand never leaving my back as he moves us back and forth. I keep glancing around, trying to see her. Then he turns me slowly, moving our bodies so his leg is between mine. I shift away a bit because my skirt is short, and I really don’t need it pushing up.
Once again, he moves his leg into the same spot, this time putting his other hand on my thigh, sliding it up toward my ass.
I shove him back, pulling my skirt down and moving away. “Please don’t do that.”
He moves closer, a sly smile on his lips as I retreat, only to trip back into someone dancing behind me. I fully anticipate ending up sprawled out on the drink-slick floor, but then there are arms around me, and I’m back on my feet, staring into the most stunning brown eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Hello,” I say and then want to mentally slap myself.
The man glances toward the prat I was dancing with and then back to me. “Are you okay?”
I shake my head. “He won’t leave me alone.”
He nods and then grins, wrapping his arm around me. “Hey, thanks for dancing with my girlfriend. I was running late.”
“Excuse me?” the guy asks, his eyes going to me and then to my savior.
I place my hand on his chest and head on his shoulder. “This is my boyfriend.”
“I bought you a drink.” The vein in his forehead starts to bulge.
My fake boyfriend reaches into his pocket and pulls out a twenty. “I appreciate that. Here, no hard feelings.”
The guy takes the twenty, scoffs, and leaves. For the first time, I exhale without fear building in my chest.
“Thank you,” I say, stepping back.
“Of course. What’s your name?”
“Sophie,” I say with a smile.
“Nice to meet you, Sophie. He was being a creep?”
I nod. “Very much.”
“Well, I am happy I saw some of it and stepped in.”
I lean in so I don’t have to yell as much. “Me too. We should dance,” I say, shocking myself.
He grins. “For appearance’s sake?”
“And because I owe you that much.”
The man extends his hand toward the middle of the dance floor. I take it, wrapping our fingers together and pretending like a rush of warmth doesn’t flood my body.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this. I don’t know that I ever have.
When we get to an open space, he smiles. “I’m Holden, by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
