Flirting with Forever: A Hot Romantic Comedy(44)

What did one wear to chaperone a dance? Nothing too sexy. I needed subtle and classy. Most of my work wardrobe fit the bill but I wanted something more fun than a blouse and slacks.

In the end, I chose a caramel colored mini-dress with a wrap front and long, flowy sleeves. I added a belt, beige heels, and gold hoops in my ears. Flirty and fun without being over the top.

Satisfied with my choice, I fluffed my hair, sent a selfie to my friends, and went next door.

Riley came out before I had the chance to knock. She looked so cute, I could have died.

“I can’t get over how adorable you are,” I said. “You look so fresh and sweet.”

“I wish you could do my hair every morning. And you look so pretty.”

“Thank you, darling.”

Dex came out dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, with slightly damp hair like he’d recently showered. His eyes swept up and down, taking me in. “Wow.”

“I hope this works.” I plucked at the skirt. “I’d hate to get in trouble for violating the dress code.”

“No, you’re… that’s… yeah.”

Riley glanced at her dad. “Why are you being weird?”

“I’m not.” He cleared his throat. “Let’s just get going.”

We walked to his car and Riley offered me the front seat. I got in and my phone buzzed with a text.

Everly: You look great! Date night?

Sophie: Who’s the lucky guy?

Me: Not a date. I’m chaperoning a middle school dance.

Hazel: That is not what I expected you to say.

Everly: Me neither.

Sophie: How fun! But how did that happen?

Me: It’s Riley’s school. Dex asked if I’d help chaperone with him.

Sophie: So it is a date.

Me: I’d hardly call this a date.

Everly: Either way, you look gorgeous.

Hazel: This is so interesting. I wish I could come and observe.

Me: Observe what? A bunch of awkward teenagers?

Hazel: No, you.

Me: Why?

Hazel: This is such a departure for you. Chaperoning a dance is a very parental activity.

Me: And I can’t be parental?

Everly: Of course you can. I’m sure she doesn’t mean it like that.

Hazel: You can certainly be parental. I’m simply interested in this new dynamic.

Me: No, you’re right, I’m not very parental. A middle school dance is the last place I would have thought I’d spend a Saturday night.

Which was true. There had been a time when I’d spent almost all my Saturday nights on dates or out with my friends—always with cocktails involved. It was only recently that things had started to change.

Everly: You’ll be a great chaperone.

Sophie: I agree. And you look fabulous.

Hazel: I continue to admire your ability to choose outfits that are so stylish and appropriate for any occasion.

Me: Thanks, my loves.

We arrived at Riley’s school and parked near the gym. Dex paid for Riley’s ticket and conferred with the parent volunteer until she found our names on the list of chaperones. They waved us through.

The lights were low and a deejay was set up on a stage. Huge speakers pumped out pop music and multicolored lights flashed around the gym. A mass of kids danced, jumped, and bounced to the beat, while others mingled around the edges or sat on the bleachers. Parent and teacher chaperones stood alone or in pairs, keeping an eye on the kids.

Riley waved to a friend and ran to join her. I smiled in satisfaction. The other girl was clearly complimenting Riley’s styling.

As she should. She looked fabulous.

Dex and I wandered deeper into the gym. The lights and loud music were reminiscent of a club—just one where most of the people were shorter than me. Some of the kids looked so young, especially the boys. I seemed to recall that boys often went through puberty later than girls and that differential was on display here.

Not that the boys needed to have hit their growth spurts to start noticing girls. That was also on display. No wonder the school needed chaperones. There were enough pubescent hormones in the room to start a riot.

I leaned closer to Dex so he could hear me over the music. “Have you chaperoned one of these before?”

“No. There was a back-to-school dance but Riley didn’t want to go.”

“I’m glad she decided to come tonight.”

He eyed the crowd of kids with skepticism. “I guess. As long as she has fun.”

His protective streak was so hot.

Really, everything about him was hot. I’d reminded myself that he wasn’t my type too many times to count. But apparently I had a new type and it was rough, muscular, and tattooed.

Adding insult to injury, he smelled amazing. Clean and manly.

“How’s your leg?”

He looked down at me, his lip twitching in a grin. “Fine. Thanks for reminding me of my humiliation.”

I nudged him with my elbow, letting my arm brush against him. “It wasn’t that bad.”

“It was pretty terrible.” He nudged me back. “But I did get a leg massage out of the deal, so I have that going for me.”

“Only because I felt guilty for giving you a leg cramp.”

“If that’s what it takes, it was worth it.”

My eyebrows lifted. Was Dex flirting with me? “I’ll make a runner out of you, yet.”