Page 89 of How to Play the Player

For a brief moment, I see something flash across her face—an expression I’ve never seen on my usually confident bestie. But then it’s gone so fast I almost think I imagined it. She then gives me her trademark smile. “Of course,” she says with forced brightness. “What could possibly go wrong on a dating show with the whole country watching, right?”

Before I can press further, Nathan appears at my side, hand extended. “May I have this dance with my beautiful fiancée?” Nathan asks.

I stand, taking Nathan’s outstretched palm. “Always.”

He leads me close to the center of the dance floor as the band begins playing a slow, romantic melody. His arms envelop me, one hand warm against the small of my back, the other holding mine against his chest where I can feel his heartbeat.

“Happy?” he murmurs against my hair.

I tilt my face up to his warm gaze; all my attention is to him. “Completely.”

“Good.” He pulls me closer as we sway to the music. “Because this is just the beginning for us, Quinn.”

I smile up at him. “The beginning, huh? What exactly do you have in mind?”

His eyes darken with promise. “Forever. With you. Starting tonight.”

As Nathan’s lips meet mine in a kiss that holds promise and passionate devotion, I know with absolute certainty that whatever challenges lie ahead, we will face them together.

No secrets, no doubts, only us.

I’ve tried to move on. He’s making sure I don’t.