THE BAD BOY BARGAIN

Chapter 7: Shadows on the Floor

The dance floor glittered under string lights, a sea of swaying couples and laughter, but all I could feel was Jake’s hand on my waist, steady and warm. My dress swished against my knees as we moved—clumsy at first, my sneakers scuffing his boots, then smoother, like we’d figured each other out. His breath brushed my ear, mint and nerves, and I tried not to think about how close his lips were. “Told you I could dance,” he murmured, smirking down at me.

“Liar,” I shot back, but my voice wobbled, betraying the flutter in my chest. His grin widened, and he spun me—slow, deliberate—pulling me back tighter. My hand landed on his chest, blazer rough under my fingers, and I felt his heartbeat, fast like mine. For a second, it wasn’t fake—just us, lost in the music.

Then I saw her again. The blonde from across the room, leaning against a table near the bar, arms crossed, eyes locked on us. She was tall, all sharp cheekbones and red lipstick, her black dress hugging curves I’d never have. Her stare wasn’t curious—it was cold, possessive, like she’d staked a claim on Jake long before I showed up. My stomach dropped, and I missed a step, bumping into him.

“Whoa,” Jake said, steadying me. “You okay, princess?”

I nodded, but my eyes flicked back to her. She hadn’t moved, just watched, a smirk curling her lips now. “Who’s that?” I asked, voice tighter than I meant. “The girl staring.”

Jake followed my gaze, and his whole body stiffened—hand freezing on my waist, jaw clenching so hard I saw the muscle twitch. “Nobody,” he said, too quick, turning us so his back was to her. “Ignore it.”

“Nobody doesn’t glare like that,” I pressed, pulling back to look at him. His eyes were dark, guarded again, and the warmth from the dance evaporated. “Jake, who is she?”

He sighed, sharp and annoyed, and dropped his hands, stepping out of the sway. “Lexi. Ex. Old news. Drop it, Mia.”

“Ex?” The word hit like a punch. I glanced at her—Lexi—still staring, now sipping a drink like she was plotting something. “She doesn’t look like old news.”

“She is,” he snapped, then softened, rubbing his neck. “Look, she’s just… here. Probably knows Sarah’s fiancé or something. It’s nothing.”

Nothing didn’t feel like this—her eyes burning holes, him dodging. But before I could argue, Mom swooped in, all smiles and champagne glow. “You two are adorable!” she gushed, oblivious. “Jake, you’re a keeper—Sarah’s dying to meet you!”

Jake flashed that charm-on-demand grin, slipping back into the role. “Lead the way,” he said, offering her his arm. She giggled—giggled—and dragged him off, leaving me stranded on the dance floor, Lexi’s stare prickling my skin.

I drifted to the edge, grabbing a water from a table, trying to shake it off. Ellie’s voice echoed in my head—“He’s gonna drag you down”—and now I wondered if Lexi was part of that mess. Was she why he was so guarded? Why Kyle’s chaos didn’t faze him? I sipped, cold sinking into my chest, when Sarah found me, radiant in her veil.

“Mia!” She hugged me, perfume and tulle everywhere. “Your date’s a hit—Mom’s obsessed. Where’d you find him?”

“School,” I mumbled, forcing a smile. “He’s… helping me out.”

“Helping?” She laughed, then leaned in, conspiratorial. “He’s hot. Don’t let Mom scare him off.”

I nodded, but my eyes drifted to Jake—across the room, laughing with Sarah’s new husband, charming as ever. Then Lexi moved, cutting through the crowd like a shark, straight for him. My grip tightened on the glass.

She reached him, hand on his arm, lips close to his ear. He flinched, stepping back, but she kept talking, gesturing sharp and fast. His face hardened—none of the easy grin he’d given Mom—and he shook his head, voice low but clipped. I couldn’t hear it, but I saw her laugh, cold and cutting, before she tossed her hair and walked off, leaving him staring after her.

“What was that?” I muttered, setting the water down. I started toward him, weaving past cousins and drunk uncles, but Mom intercepted again.

“Dance with your sister!” she chirped, shoving me at Sarah. I stumbled into her arms, and she twirled me, giggling, while I craned my neck to watch Jake. He’d turned away, shoulders tight, heading for the bar.

The song ended, and Sarah hugged me again. “Love you, sis. Go get your boy—he’s brooding.”

I forced a laugh and broke free, beelining for Jake. He leaned on the bar, nursing a soda, staring at the counter like it owed him answers. “Hey,” I said, sliding up beside him. “You okay?”

He glanced at me, eyes shadowed. “Yeah. Wedding’s great. Your mom’s a riot.”

“Don’t dodge,” I said, sharper than I meant. “Lexi. What’d she want?”

He sighed, long and heavy, setting the can down. “To mess with me. She’s good at it. Always has been.”

“Mess with you how?” I pressed, stepping closer. The bar’s edge dug into my hip, but I didn’t care. “Jake, if she’s—”

“She’s not your problem,” he cut in, voice low, almost pleading. “Look, I’m here for you, right? Saturday night, fake boyfriend. That’s the deal.”

I frowned, hurt stinging. “It’s not just that anymore. You know it.”

His eyes met mine, raw and searching, and for a second, I thought he’d crack—tell me about Lexi, Kyle, the bruises. Then someone yelled his name—Sarah’s husband, waving him over—and he pulled back, mask slipping on.

“Later,” he said, brushing past me. “Dance floor’s waiting.”

I watched him go, heart sinking, until a hand grabbed my arm. I turned, and there was Lexi, red lips curled, eyes glinting. “You’re the new girl, huh?” she said, voice like silk over steel. “Careful with him. He breaks things.”