Page 95 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
If we were going to do this eventually, the three of us, I think I’d like to have a piece of him, too.
Well, if he liked me back. Yet there wassomethingbetween us. I could feel it.
“You’re doing so good. You’re going to look great with her,” he praised, as he twirled me out, then pulled me back in.
Distracted at the thought of him kissing me, I nearly hit his chest. I looked up into his eyes. His lips were right there. What if I kissed him?
“Yes, like that.” Tenzin’s voice grew breathy, his lips close to my ear.
My breath caught in my chest, as the bar and music faded away, until it was only us.
Kiss him.
“There you are,” Carlos said, breaking the moment, and we practically popped apart.
“I was teaching him to dance so Dimitri doesn’t steal her all night.” Tenzin looked at me and smiled. “You’ll do great. I’ll get her more water. She’s had quite a few beers.”
Tenzin left, and I scanned the bar for Gwen, my heart pounding in my ears.
“Um, what wasthat?” Carlos smirked as we returned to our table.
Yeah, what was that?
“He was teaching me to dance.” My voice was tight. Why did he have to interrupt us? What would have happened?
“Yes, and I didn’t fall into my ex’s bed the last time I saw her.” His smirk grew.
I itched to smack that smirk off his face. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Carlos’s eyes widened. “You like him? I thought you liked Gwen.”
Whoops. I wasn’t sure I wanted my teammates to know I was crushing on our newest member.
“Shit, youdo!” He grinned. Then he glanced at the dance floor. “Does she know?”
“Yes. Why can’t I like both?” I kept my eyes on the floor as Gwen laughed and danced.
“You can.” Carlos shrugged. “I just haven’t known you to like anyone and now you liketwopeople?”
“I wasn’t ready for a relationship.” It had taken me a long time to get over my high school girlfriend, and the guilt I’d felt, even though it wasn’t my fault. My college boyfriend broke up with me when I’d gotten signed by the Knights. Last year, I focused on my career.
Now I might be ready for something.
Carlos looked over at Tenzin and Dimitri, who were near the bar, talking. “GwenandTens? I mean, you and Gwen make sense. But Bucket? Huh. Gwen brings something out in him. Like who’d have thought he was such a beast on the dance floor?”
Or make jeans and a Cowboy hat look so delightful? I didn’t have a fancy hat and boots like he and Gwen did, but maybe I’d ask Ma to send mine along, with some more pickles and the jam Gwen liked.
“Um, don’t tell? Please? I mean, I have no idea about any of this.” I finished my now-warm, half-full beer.
“Of course not, man. I think he’s still broken up over whatever happened in Portland.” Carlos signaled the waitress for more beer.
“I think so too.” I’d gotten the gist of it from Gwen. “Should I be worried about starting something with her, given who knows where she’ll be next year?” I wasn’t concerned, but Tenzin was.
Carlos shook his head. “No. Also, this is Gwen. What she wants, she gets.”
Tenzin and Dimitri came back with beers and waters for everyone. He didn’t meet my gaze, instead looking at the dance floor.
“She’s a good dancer,” I said, not knowing what else to say.
