Page 40 of Like You Know

“I know.”

The grin didn’t even falter as he stepped in closer. A crowd favorite came on, and someone turned the volume up.

“Well, now that I’ve successfully cut in, dance with me?” He held his hand out like a gentleman and everything.

“Bold of you to even ask, to be honest.” I raised a brow.

He shrugged. “I’m feelin’ plucky.”

I knew I probably shouldn’t, not after the way he’d treated me, but it was my birthday and I really wanted to dance with Jet.

He flashed a grin, those dimples popping, when he saw the acquiescence in my expression. Before I’d even said anything, he placed his hands on my waist, and I slowly reached up to rest mine on his shoulders.

“I never stood a chance, did I?”

I turned to find Ford watching us with my champagne in his hand.

I opened my mouth and closed it, like a moron. I didn’t know what to say. Jet’s grip on my waist tightened slightly, but he was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.

Ford sighed dramatically and downed half of my champagne before giving me a confident smile. “It’s all good. Gimme a call when it doesn’t work out and you’re ready to level up from high school boys.”

Sipping more champagne, he stepped back and disappeared into the crowd. He didn’t seem all that hurt, and his cocky attitude made me feel not so bad after all.

“Amaya.” Jet drew my body closer, holding me tighter as the music changed to something with a more sultry, sexy tempo. “About this past week—”

“No.” I covered his mouth with my hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I really don’t even want to think about it tonight, Jet. You’ve been a colossal jerk to me, but for some fucked-up reason, I’m still glad you’re here. So I’m going to let myself enjoy this for tonight. But come tomorrow, I’m done. You don’t want me? Fine. I don’t want to play these games. So just stay away from me for the last few weeks of school, and we never have to see each other again.”

We turned slowly around the dance floor, our bodies in sync with each other and the music. I liked the feeling of his strong shoulders under my touch, and I ran my hands over the muscle there.

Jet flattened his palm on my lower back, making me reflexively arch into him. With his free hand, he gripped my wrist and removed my hand from his mouth. He planted a gentle kiss on my palm, then placed my hand over his heart and held it there.

“I don’t want to never see you again. I don’t want to play games either. I like you, Amaya. A lot.”

“You’ve got a funny way of showing it,” I muttered.

“I know. I’m sorry. You don’t want to get into any of that stuff tonight, and that’s fair. I’m going to respect your wishes, but I am sorry.”

I watched him for a few moments as we swayed, mulling over the sincerity in his gaze, acutely aware of every spot our bodies touched.

Was it a little convenient that he wanted to honor my wishes by not getting into explaining himself? Maybe. But he was openly telling me he liked me, pulling me closer instead of pushing me away. He’d literally gotten on his knees and kissed my feet in front of everyone.

Whatever. I’d overthink it all tomorrow when it wasn’t my birthday party and I wasn’t half-drunk.

“You’re sorry, huh?” I threaded my fingers together behind his neck and took the lead in our dance.

“Absolutely.” He nodded.

“So you’ve had a change of heart?”

“For sure.”

“And you don’t care if everyone sees that you’re into me?”

“Nope.” His eyes sparkled with amusement. He was enjoying this.

“So, if I tried to kiss you this time ...” I leaned in, my murmured words just for him. “You’d let me?”

“I’d get on my knees again and beg if it would get me another chance to kiss you, and do it right this time.”

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