“Yeah! Let’s dance!” Sophie yelled over the music. She grabbed my hand and Jacob’s and pulled us to the makeshift dance floor in front of the middle ring.

I twirled in a circle and looked down at my dress. It practically glowed in the dim light. I kept twirling until Sophie caught my hands.

“Move back,” she said.

“What?”

She stepped forward, so I stepped back, and my butt hit Jacob.

Sophie laughed and turned around, pressing her butt against me. Effectively sandwiching me between her and Jacob. But she didn’t need to do it. Because Jacob’s hands instinctively grabbed my waist.

I’d danced with Jacob a million times. And he was a great dancer. Probably because growing up he had danced every night with his mother in the kitchen. He still did it, actually. It was really cute. And whenever I visited I’d always dance too. They’d blare the music as we all cooked together.

But the dancing there was usually silly things. Like hopping around and him pretending to be a shower and me bathing underneath of it. But now that I thought about it…that was kind of hot too.

I somehow managed to turn around so I could look up at him. And it was like Jacob knew exactly what I was thinking about. Because he put his hands above my head and wiggled his fingers like they were the water.

I laughed and ran my fingers through my hair like I was washing it. I shook my hips as I moved my head around.

He laughed too. But he stopped when I ran my fingers down my plunging neckline.

What I was doing could barely be described as a funny dance anymore. I wasn’t even pretend scrubbing.

Jacob lowered his hands.

We had both stopped dancing. I stared up at him.

He stepped forward, closing the small distance between us.

The ache in my chest had vanished. All I could feel was my heart pounding as I stared into his brown eyes. And all I was thinking about was him.

Jacob’s eyes fell to my lips. It seemed like I wouldn’t even have to be the one to kiss him. I held my breath. Because I was pretty sure he was about to make the first move.

“Scarlett, a word?” Axel yelled over the music.

I turned to see him glaring at me. “We’re dancing.” I shimmied to get my point across.

His eyes dropped to my chest for just a second. If I’d blinked I would have missed it.

“Now,” he said.

Now? Seriously? I didn’t have to listen to him. “I’m busy.” I dipped it low and slowly rose back up and Sophie spanked my butt. I laughed.

And then I was somehow upside down.

Chapter 11 – I Always Pictured it with You, Axel

Friday