were supposed to present a show for the attendees at the event who would be contributing to the charity.
Owen was my dance partner.
Shit!
“There’s no backing out now. This is top-notch, Lila. The organization, the event – everything – has to be perfect. We’re representing Harvard. We no longer have a dancing partner for you anymore, and you open the show!”
My throat went dry, and I tried not to panic, but Bea freaking out like this was causing me to freak out. “Bea, you need to calm down. We can figure it out.”
“The event is in a week!” She screeched loud enough I had to pull my phone away from my ear.
She was right though. We couldn’t mess this up. Every dance number at the event was a couple’s dance; the organization specifically asked for a partner dance since they thought it would be more attractive to the attendees.
I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my rising panic. I was used to perfection – my grades and my work. I was obsessed with it, although I wasn’t always like that.
My therapist said it was my way of dealing with the death of my parents – chasing perfection and wanting to always be in control.
Right now, everything was happening the opposite of what I wanted.
“So, we need to find me a new dance partner?” I questioned Bea.
“Even if we do, who’s going to learn the dance in less than seven days?” She took a shuddering breath and let it out. “It’s not possible.”
“Nothing is ever impossible,” I said.
“Your optimism is admiring but not suitable for the situation since we are thoroughly fucked!”
“I’ll find a dance partner,” I announced with conviction. There was no giving up after we’d come this far. The event was happening. Owen was hurt, but we had to find a way to make it work.
And I knew exactly who was going to help me.
Even if I was about to hear him grumble about it for the rest of our lives.
“Lila–”
“I know someone.”
“Who?” she asked suspiciously.
My corner of my lips curled up. “Maddox.”
I had struck Bea into silence, only her breathing could be heard over the phone.
“You’re serious?” she whispered, as if we were sharing a secret.
“Yup.”
“Holy shit. You mean, The Maddox, right?”
“Yup.” I grinned harder.
“Holy shit,” she said again.
We said our goodbyes, and I walked back inside the club. Maddox was going to hate it, but I knew he’d never say no to me.
Back at our booth, I saw that Bianca was nowhere to be seen, and Maddox was nursing a beer. “Where’d she go?”
“I handled her,” he said, not giving me any more details. “What’s up?” Maddox seemed to have sobered up a bit.
“I need to talk to you about something.”
His eyes narrowed on me. “Is it bad?”
I half-shrugged. “Not exactly. Do you want to go home?”
Maddox stood up without saying a word, and I guessed I had my answer.
Maddox
“No,” I calmly stated. “Not happening.”
“But Maddox,” she dragged out my name, pleading with her eyes. When I shook my head firmly, she stomped her foot.
She peeked at me through her lashes. “This is really important to me.”
Then Lila got a look on her face, a look that should have warned me of what was coming.
“Lila–”
“I dare you.”
Jesus Christ, this woman!
“Take that back,” I warned, my voice low.
Lila smirked. “No.” She crossed her arms over her pert tits, pulling my attention to her chest.
I was a goddamn weak man.
Weak to my fucking knees for Lila Garcia because she was the one temptation I couldn’t have.
She was wearing a crop top that should’ve been illegal. Her dreamcatcher necklace hung around her neck; Lila never took it off after I put it on her three years ago. Her stomach was taunt, and her belly button looked cute, and as fucked up as it was, a brief image of me licking her belly button and her giggling flashed through my mind. My mouth watered at the thought.
I shook my head and cursed myself. No, I couldn’t.
This was… not happening.
Never, fucking ever.
Even though it grew harder every year to remind myself that we could only ever be friends and nothing more.
Every time she smiled at me, it became harder not to kiss her.
Though, I had refused to admit that even to myself. I refused to even entertain the idea of touching Lila in a manner other than ‘friendly.’
But I was little drunk, and I couldn’t get the image out of my head. She was standing in front of me with a