Page 47 of Rebel Secrets
I’d braided it, but individual strands had escaped and were reaching for the sky like seedlings in search of the sun.
Ooh, Granddad would slash that out of a story with a red pen so fast.And why had I thought a sundress would be a good idea?Yes, it was hot outside, but now I was a little cool, and I hadn’t thought to bring a little sweater and?—
“Oh, good.”Rain sighed.“Tressy’s here.I thought I was going to have to break into my parents’ liquor cabinet to keep the guys from revolting.And that would not have been a good thing.Let’s go say hi.”
Rain headed for the other side of the room to greet her soon-to-be-sisters-in-law.Did Tressy’s sister count as a sister-in-law to Rain?Or just in-law?Not that it would matter.The Lawrence’s considered everyone family.
Raffi was hugging Bebe, Tressy’s mom, while Tressy’s sister, Tiffany, hugged Rain then Rowdy then Raffi and Rocky.Except where was?—
“You look like you wanna run.”
I gasped and my head swiveled to find Rebel standing next to me, staring across the room at all the commotion.
“What the hell, Rebel?Where did you come from?”
He didn’t answer either of my questions.“I’ll make a distraction if you want to save yourself.”
It took me a second to realize he was teasing because there wasn’t a hint of humor on his face, and he still wasn’t looking at me.My lips twitched, after I got over the shock, but I was determined not to break first.Even though I had to bite my tongue for a second.
“We could both slip out the back,” I said.“I wouldn’t want you to suffer in my place.Besides, I’m not the one dreading this.”
My nose scrunched.Maybe that came out a little too sharp.He turned to look at me.
“Why do you think I’m dreading this?”
His steady gaze made my temperature spike.Definitely not feeling that chill at all anymore.I’m sure my cheeks had turned bright red.His gaze dropped for several seconds before rising back to meet mine.And while his expression hadn’t changed, I swore his eyes got darker.They were already a velvety brown, but now they seemed like liquid dark chocolate.My mouth dried, and my skin prickled like I was close to a lightning strike.
Except he was the lightning.
No, no, no.
This couldn’t be happening.This wasn’t happening.
“I…”
What had he asked me?I couldn’t remember.
I looked up at him with my lips parted and my brain spinning and my gaze glued to his.Somehow, I’d managed to wind up with my back pressed against the wall, hands spread out behind me.And Rebel had moved to stand in front of me, blocking out the rest of the room.I could still hear everyone else talking, but I couldn’t make out any words.All I heard was my brain telling me to move closer.
Just a little closer and you can touch him.
Shit, I needed to breathe.
I sucked in a breath, which made Rebel’s eyes narrow for a split second before he took a step back.
“I think we’re going to start.We should probably go join everyone else.”
I blinked, my brain trying to reset.“Okay.Sure.”
But he didn’t move right away, and I thought, oh my god, doeshewant to kissme?
Then he shifted to the side and waved me in front of him.I got my feet moving and made it across the room without totally embarrassing myself.
Rain gave me a look as I stopped next to her, but I smiled and turned to face Ms.Patricia.
The fifty-something former Alvin Ailey dancer had been born and raised in St.David before leaving for New York to join the dance company.She’d returned almost a decade ago and had opened her dance studio.Now she taught all ages, from toddlers to adults.And apparently, she gave ballroom dance lessons for wedding couples.
“All right, everyone.”The instructor clapped once then raised long elegant hands into the air.“Please stand with your partner so I can see what I’m dealing with.”
