“Do they know who you are now? Where you live?”
“They may. The legal hurdle to change my social security number was complex. It wouldn’t be difficult to find me. As far as I know, they never tried. I cut them out.”
I brush my lips across hers. “No chance you sucker-punched your bitch of a sister?”
“Nope, never saw her again after that night at the arts center. She sent me a few messages trying to justify her actions with the fact that I wasn’t ‘giving up to a man like Isaac, so I deserved what I got’.”
We sit for a few minutes and I let it all sink in. “What happened with Isaac?”
“I have no idea. We never spoke again.”
“You know he’s a fucking idiot, right?”
She smiles against my lips. “He was no Evin Graham. He got trashy Tasha who’d screw on a couch with a stranger to prove she was willing and waiting. I won. I waited for the right man.”
Her honesty hits hard, and I crush my mouth to hers. “Mine,” I growl against her lips.
She smiles, her hands framing my face. “I’m really glad to hear you say that.”
I cup the back of her head, threading my fingers through her hair. “I’m adding brave to the ever-growing list of things that make me crazy about you.”
“I don’t think of myself as brave.”
“Twenty-one years old and all alone in the world, leaving everything you knew behind. That’s bravery.”
“My friends were incredible, and once I got to Paris, Ryanne adopted me instantly. Dante came into my life later at an audition. I’ve never once felt alone.”
“Now you have me.” His smile grows wider.
“Now I have you, and you come with a gang.”
“A gang which already adores you. I’m half tempted to blow off the wedding and keep you to myself.”
“Do you want Annie to hate me? Scottie sent me the weekend itinerary with explicit instructions that my attendance is mandatory.”
“That is exactly why I want to steal you away. Those asses are going to hijack your time.”
She leans back, her eyes lit with humor. “Well then, it’s a good thing I changed my schedule to add a few extra days.”
My grip on her head tightens. “How long can you stay?”
“I’ll be there a week. Scottie is a terrific partner in crime. He got my flights arranged so I get the most out of my time in Charleston.”
“What about work?”
“I’ve had years of helping the other dancers. They had no problem stepping in and covering me.”
I stare at her, trying to find the words to express how much this pleases me. It makes me a selfish asshole, but I wasn’t kidding about sharing her that weekend. She takes my silence the wrong way, her radiant glow fading and self-doubt forming on her face. “Maybe I should have talked to you first. If you think it’s too much—”
“No matter how much time you have with me, it’ll never be enough. I’ll take whatever you can give me.”
“If you’re busy with work, I can entertain myself.”
“How many people know you're staying over?”
Her eyebrows scrunch in confusion. “What?”
“Scottie has a big mouth and tends to share things. Did he share your plans with anyone?”
“I don’t think so. He knows it was a surprise.”
“If you talk to him before I do, tell him to keep it to himself. I’ll deal with the weekend, but when we get back to Charleston, you’re all mine.”
“I hope you don’t tire of me.”
“Never in this lifetime.”
“We just met, but do you feel like…” she pauses, the same hesitancy taking over.
“… like the woman I’ve been waiting for all my life is sitting on my lap?” I finish for her.
“It doesn’t seem fair that I’ve waited so long and you’re leaving.”
“We’ll figure things out. This is uncharted territory for me, too. I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and I’m not letting you go.”
She sighs wistfully, her hands curling around my neck. “When you say things like that, it makes me think we have a chance.”
“A chance for what?”
“For us to make it. Vegas odds are not in our favor. And tonight I flew off the handle, ruining everything.”
“You ruined nothing. It’s understandable your history with men left you scarred.”
She drags her lip through her teeth, regarding me. “You were right earlier. My instincts sent me into fight-or-flight mode. Not because Isaac scarred me. After the initial shock, I realized he wasn’t that special to me. He cheated, and I gathered my wits, moving on. But seeing that text from a woman waiting for you at home sent me spiraling. Isaac cheating stung, but thinking of you with another woman was devastating.”
My pulse pounds, hearing her confession and knowing the doubt is out there. I pull my phone from my pocket, scrolling to find the message, and offer it to her.