Page 32 of Lost in You (Flirting with Forever 1)

As for my “girlfriend,” I’m more than proud to be escorting Madison. I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else. I’d go anywhere with her, fake or not. I place my hand on the small of her back as we walk side by side down the stairs to the main foyer, where we are ushered toward the main dining area for the reception.

She looks up at me as we enter the big room, a slight panic in her eyes. My fingers slide over, grasping her hip and giving it a squeeze. “You’re fine.” I reach w

ith my free hand and cup her cheek in my palm. “Let’s find out where they have us sitting.”

The tables we maneuver ourselves through are set with fancy china and sweetly-scented floral arrangements. Candles flicker on each, giving the entire room a soft, romantic feel. I see Madison’s brother waving at us, lift a hand to him, and nod my head.

“I’m pretty sure we’re seated with your parents and brother. What’s his girlfriend’s name again?”

Her voice so low I almost don’t hear it, she murmurs, “Emily.”

“Right. Emily.”

She blows out a sharp breath and a nervous laugh comes out with it. “I’m really fucking nervous.”

I chuckle, not remembering the last time I’ve heard Madison swear. “You must be. You just said the F word.”

Her mouth opens and closes for a few seconds, and then she giggles behind her hand. “I did, didn’t I?” Her shoulders move up to her ears for a second and her cheeks pink up.

So pretty.

I nod, bringing my face down to hers, my lips just shy of kissing her. “I’m your boyfriend. Just pretend.”

Her eyes flick to mine. “Practice over?”

“This is the real thing. Game on.” With that, I gently nudge her in the direction we need to go.

Her parents smile up at us from their seats. “Well, have a seat, you two. I feel like we’ve barely seen you.” Her dad’s smile is genuine but curious, and there’s something in his eyes that tell me he’s a little wary.

Madison’s mouth opens then closes, and she glances at me for help.

I rub my hand up and down her back in an attempt to relax her, then gesture to her that she should sit. I pull out a chair and help her into it before I address her parents, “She’s been exhausted from that last week of school. You know how it is, Mrs. Green.” I nod at her with a smile as I sit down. Madison had mentioned how her mom used to teach, too, but recently retired.

Mrs. Green’s eyes light up, but before she can say anything, James butts in, “Right. That’s why she’s tired.”

His laughter has Madison shaking free of her nerves. “James,” she shoots him a warning look, “unless you want me to start talking about you and Emily in front of our parents, I’d suggest you stop right there.”

James throws his hands out in front of him, amusement clear on his face. “Fair enough.”

From beside him, Emily smacks his arm lightly. “You are so bad.”

He grabs her chin and plants a loud smacking kiss on her lips. “And you love it.”

My gaze finds Mr. Green’s again. “We really were just resting. We took a walk earlier, and I played my guitar some while I was waiting for Madi to get ready.”

“If everyone is happy, that’s all we care about.” He takes his wife’s hand and looks pointedly at me, as well as at his own son.

“Right. Happy and safe.” I nod. “Your daughter is both of those things with me. Don’t give it another thought.” I lean in and kiss her cheek.

Madison’s mom places a hand over her heart, her head tilting as she watches. “I’m just so glad you’ve finally found someone, Madison. You’ve been dating a while?”

Her family looks on as I press another kiss to her cheek. “The best months of my life.” I know Madison thinks what I do and say is for show, but I mean what I say. If she was with me, she’d always be happy and she’d always be cared for.

At close range, I can practically feel Madison’s heart rate pick up, and when I draw away, I take her hand in mine. A string quartet is playing music, and I bob my head toward the dance floor. “Will you dance with me?”

Her mom nudges her when she doesn’t respond right away. “You’d better take advantage of this. I heard that after dinner the string quartet goes away and they are bringing in a DJ. We’ll be doing the Chicken Dance by the end of the night.”

A grin forms on Madison’s face as she huffs out a laugh. “Good call.” And it’s like a switch has flipped. “Let’s dance.”

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