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No not really How could she tell her date (Or should she call him her boyfriend? She still wasn’t sure what to call hi was sitting on the other side of the roo her heart rattle around in her chest “Sorry, one of my students had so about it” Her statement was not a complete lie One of her students had received in-house suspension that week for starting a fight at recess

“There is nothing you can do about it now, right? So relax and enjoy yourself Everyone else is”

How s like that when she told him about problems at school? She tried to explain to him that as a teacher she couldn’t leave work behind the same way people in other professions did Each and every one of her students was important to her She cared what happened to all of them

“You never ht Are they visiting you long?”

With a sigh Lauren shook her head “They’re going back to New York in the er

“Too bad Next tio out” Kevin wrapped his hand around hers, his signet ring digging into her skin “Let’s dance”

As soon as the wait staff began to collect the dinner plates, the DJ cranked up the music Now, instead of classic instruuests of all ages moved to the beat on the dance floor Any other ti was her first love In fact, two nights a week she taught ballet at a nearby dance school But now she held back So far she’d ed to avoid Nate Callahan They hadn’t even made eye contact For all she knew, he may not have even seen her If shefrom him; she’d be too exposed

He may not even care if he seesthe past fifteen years, but he hadn’t Why would he bother with her now?

“I know you love to dance” Kevin stood His slight tug on her hand forced her to concentrate on the here and now rather than what if

“I do” She straightened her shoulders and stood

The conversation between his parents faded into the background as Major Nathaniel Callahan once again scanned the crowd in search of the only person in the sea of faht without at least talking to Lauren wasn’t an option for him Unfortunately, so far she’d proved elusive, and with the evening half over it was tietting off his ass and , he surveyed the crowded dance floor Couples of every age moved to the slow ballad that poured fro the perimeter, he avoided the dance floor He had not stepped on one since his senior proht either if Lauren hadn’t insisted Dancing was one of things she’d always loved to do and one of the few things they’d disagreed on

As he rounded the edge of the dance floor, his eyes zeroed in on a man and woman Instantly, his feet slowed and his eyes studied every inch of the couple He didn’t recognize the hts reflected off the woh him While he couldn’t see her face, every fiber of his body knew Lauren stood just feet away

With his target in sight, Nate crossed the dance floor and reached the couple just as the song ended and a fast Top 40 dance hit cah hi in Lauren’s ear Then she turned and her eyes locked with his Unable to look away, Nate held her gaze as a whole gah hi he had done was in preparation for this o Many scenarios had played through his head Everything fro slah, had included the utter fear on her face or the expensively dressed man with his arm around Lauren’s shoulders When she didn’t make a move, Nate stepped toward her In response, her date pulled her closer to his side

“Lauren, I’ve been looking for you all night”

Lauren sed, her owl-sized eyes staring back at hihost

“NateI didn’twhat are you doing here?” she asked in that low, sultry voice he laid awake nights thinking about

“Yourin front of her date “Evidently she knew about the party tonight” Not that he was surprised by that Virginia McDonald always see on in town

Lauren nodded, her eyes never leaving his face “I know Kelly let it slip You know her But I think she convinced everyone else that she didn’t know about the party when she walked in”

“I think you’re right”

“Aren’t you going to introduce us, Lauren?” Her date spoke to Lauren, but his eyes never left Nate’s face