Page 51 of The Texan's Secrets

Sammy backed off, turning to walk away, and Nico switched his attention to Emilia.

She looked annoyed.

“Dance?” he asked, hoping to blow past the uncomfortable situation.

“Are you kidding?” She turned to leave the dance floor.

He quickly followed, coming up beside her. “Hey.”

“Whatwas that?” she asked.

“If you want to dance, we can dance.”

“You left me,” she accused.

“I had—” He realized his excuse for leaving her was lame. He countered instead. “You said you wanted to talk to Paris.”

“I did talk to Paris. And Chase introduced me to his brother. And his brother politely asked me to dance.”

They cleared the dance floor, but she kept walking fast.

“Twice?” He tried to go on offense again.

She gave him a hard look. “Is that a crime?”

“Did he know you were here with a date?” Nico realized the conversation was going off the rails, and it was his fault. He also realized he was admitting his jealousy by so doggedly pursuing the situation.

An open door to a patio loomed up in front of them. It seemed like a really good idea to get some air. He gestured to it, inviting her outside.

“Yes, I told him about you,” she said tartly. “I also looked for you. I didn’t find you. Was I supposed to just stand there while—” She clamped her mouth shut.

“While what?”

The cool air on the patio surrounded them, and the music faded as they kept walking toward the edge. His frustration abated now that they were alone together.

“While what?” he asked again, softer this time.

“We were dealing with an uncomfortable moment.”

“With Sammy?” Nico tensed again.

“No. With Paris and Chance.” She slowed as they came to a raised garden. “Sammy asked them a question, and they gave slightly conflicting answers. Paris looked embarrassed, and I thought it was best to give them some space.”

“So, you danced with Sammy.” Nico liked the sound of that much better.

She hadn’t found the rugged, powerful Sammy irresistibly attractive. She was trying to be a good friend.

“So, I danced with Sammy. What choice did I have? Since my date abandoned me to hang with his pals.” She sounded half annoyed, half joking now.

He wished he could tell her he hadn’t been hanging with his pals. He wished he could tell her he’d been avoiding the cameras. But then he’d have to tell her why.

“I think we just had a fight,” he pointed out instead. “Well, an argument, really.” He didn’t want to blow it out of proportion, and he hoped she didn’t either.

She nodded. “I guess we did.”

“Our first argument.”

“Yes.”

---