Page 131 of Just a Little White Lie

“Sully was in there with me, and he had his phone on, so they heard the whole thing.”

“Yikes.” Jack cringes.

“I know!” I tip my head back and wince. “But… you were right. I should have been telling the truth all along. As much as I hated your disappointment, I needed it. I needyou. I don’t have it all figure out and I want you with me, every step of the way.”

Rising on my tiptoes, I thread my fingers around the nape of his neck and give him a quick kiss.

The crew all start to oooh and giggle until Maverick gives them a sharp telling off. “Give them space,” he whisper-barks, ushering them a few feet away.

I honestly don’t care if they’re watching or not. I’m in love with Jack Akana, and I don’t care who knows it. Brushing my fingers through his curls, I give him a dopey smile.

“I…”

“Love you,” he finishes for me.

My heart lodges in my throat, but as his smile grows, I know how much he means it.

“Never thought I’d get to say that to you.” He brushes the tip of his nose against mine before planting another kiss on my lips.

I simper against his mouth. “Feel free to tell me as much as you like. There’s seriously no limit on those three little words.”

“I’m pretty sure there is.” He tips his head with a grin. “Pretty sure if I said it every single time I thought it, you’d be stuffing my mouth full of shirt, or duvet, or pillow… or anything within reach.”

I giggle and have to concede that maybe he’s right.

“But for now…” He skims his thumb across my cheek. “Let me just tell you again.”

Cradling my face, he gently lifts my chin and loves me with the most languid, delicious, slow-dance kiss I have ever experienced.

It curls my toes and sets my heart alight, and by the time he pulls away, I have no doubt in my mind that I own Jack Akana’s heart… and he owns mine.

JACK

Ikeep Lauren in my arms for as long as I can, but after our makeup kiss, I start to become aware of the activity around us. The crew are getting restless, their nervous energy pulsing around the room.

Lauren gives me one more loving look as I let her go, and I swear my heart feels like a helium balloon. She loves me!

Glancing around the Misfits, I’m aware they’ve still got a long wait ahead until their turn, so I do the one thing that always helped me before a comp. I lead them to one of the empty backstage studios and I get them dancing.

We run through our routine a few times, then just fall into some lax moves that won’t get them overly sweaty but will keep their muscles nice and loose.

By the time we head into the backstage area for final touch-ups, the director’s assistant is walking toward us.

“Haven Misfits, you’re up next.”

A ripple of nerves spreads across the group, and I beckon them close with a wave of my hand.

“This is it!” Lauren’s excited smile is beautiful. “Time to own that stage. You can do it.”

They give her nervous nods and smiles as they strip off their hoodies and start jumping around. Arlo is rehearsing moves while Trixi does a twirl and Maverick does a few squats and arm twists.

I catch his eye and send him a silent “you’ve got this”message. He gives me a stiff thumbs-up, but I know he’s good to go. He seems focused. Set. The air between us has cleared.

He’s in control, and I’m cheering for him.

We’re led to the edge of the stage, and when the announcer calls, “So, please welcome… the Haven Misfits!” I cheer with Lauren, a loud whoop that can be heard above the crowd.

We find a spot in the wings, and the second the music starts, I drape my arm around Lauren and pull her back so she’s cradled against my body. She curls her fingers around my forearm and seems to hold her breath.

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