Best Dating Rules, Tamie Dearen [literature books to read txt] 📗

“Definitely not. I never kissed her. I never bought her anything. I told you that before. That hike we all went on together was the closest we’ve ever been.”

“Really? But she told me—”

“She lies. Why would you believe her over me?”

Anne put her hand on Emily’s arm. “From experience, I’ll tell you it was easier to believe Steven was in love with someone else than it was to believe he was in love with me.”

Emily’s face was scalding hot. Spencer had never used the word love. Grace had said she thought her brother was in love with Emily. But he hadn’t said it. Would he ever say it? Would she believe him if he did? She dared a sideways glance at Spencer. His face was equally red. What did that mean? Did he really love her? Or maybe he didn’t, and he was embarrassed her mom had mentioned it.

Anne broke the awkward silence. “Uhmm... Are y’all planning to go to Sam and Tanner’s wedding? They’re planning a big bash. They’re going to have dinner and a live band and dancing.”

“That sounds so fun. I got my invitation today. We’re going together, right Spencer? I mean... If we’re still dating in six weeks.”

“Of course we’ll still be dating in six weeks,” he pouted. “We can go, although I don’t really dance.”

“Oh,” she tried to hide her disappointment. She loved dancing—all kinds of dancing, not just ballet. She’d hate to sit around while everyone else was dancing. But she didn’t want to hurt Spencer’s feelings, so she didn’t say anything.

Her mind wandered as her mom continued to chat excitedly about the wedding, bragging about her part in playing matchmaker between the two. Her eyes rested for a moment on Spencer. He raised his arms to stretch, and she watched his muscles flexing through his shirt. She felt a familiar stirring as she admired his form, realizing she’d never seen him with his shirt off, although she’d seen him in a tank top. She wondered how his back would look if she could actually see the muscles. What would his chest look like? What would it feel like? Why hadn’t they ever gone swimming before? She should suggest it.

“Emily? Are you in there?” asked Anne.

“I’m sorry. I was thinking... about uhmm... Charlie. What did you ask me?”

“I asked if you’d heard from Charlie this weekend?”

“Well, she called me Friday night. She was a little upset about something that happened with Josh.” She gave Spencer a stern look, and he had the grace to look away.

“Is she still giving Josh the stiff-arm?” asked Anne.

“Yes, but he’s been pretty persistent. She still thinks he’s too much of a player to ever change.” Emily looked at Spencer, raising one eyebrow to get her point across.

“He’s pretty depressed about it,” said Spencer. “He mopes around all the time, and he quit going out to bars altogether. And he evidently follows Grace and Brad around like a lost puppy.”

Emily couldn’t help feeling sorry for Josh, but he wasn’t the first guy to pine for her sister. Maybe she’d put in a good word for him with Charlie, although it probably wouldn’t make a difference.

“But she starts class in a couple of weeks, and she’s pretty excited.”

“I still don’t see why she won’t let me pay her tuition. It’s ridiculous.” Steven muttered as he stabbed at his stuffed chicken breast.

“It’s her pride,” explained Anne.

“Pride. If you ask me, you Best girls have way too much of it.”

“We should go swimming,” Emily blurted without preamble. Then her face flamed. She couldn’t stop thinking about seeing Spencer without a shirt on, and the idea burst out of her mouth before she could stop it.

Anne and Steven stared at her in confusion, but Spencer smiled, flashing his dimples. “Great idea. I was thinking the exact same thing.” His eyes wandered briefly down from her eyes before he forced them back up again, and she felt a little shock. Maybe he had been thinking the exact same thing.*****

Spencer was having a great day. Lunch had a few uncomfortable moments, but making plans to swim with Emily made everything else worthwhile. Although he wasn’t allowed to kiss her, at least he’d be able to feast his eyes on her body. Of course, this meant other guys could also see her, but hopefully there wouldn’t be any other single guys around. Steven had offered to let them swim at a hotel owned by Gherring Inc.

He’d also decided he had to learn how to dance before the wedding in six weeks. He saw the disappointment in her eyes when he admitted he couldn’t dance. He might be able to fake it if it was only going to be fast dancing. He could sway a bit and watch Emily dance. But Sam and Tanner told him to expect all kinds of dancing, including waltzes and tangos. So he was planning to ask around and secretly take dance lessons. He must really be in love, if he was willing to take dance lessons simply to make her happy.

Who could he ask to find a good dance teacher? Josh and Brad hadn’t lived in town long enough. He couldn’t bear the thought of the teasing that would come from his sisters, so that option was definitely out. He thought of his other buddies. Landon might be a good source—he had a couple of sisters that might know of a dance teacher.

“Yo, Bro.” Landon answered the phone call. “What’s up? You going on the hike this weekend?”

“I’m not sure—I’ll know later in the week. But I was hoping for a favor.”

“Anything... Well, as long as it isn’t illegal. Or if you promise we won’t get caught.”

“Nothing illegal. I just need to learn how to dance so I can dance with Emily at a wedding in six weeks.”

“Sorry, buddy. I’d love to teach you, but my dance card is full.”

“I’m heartbroken. But I’d really like for you to ask around, maybe ask your sisters, and see if they can