Page 2 of Taking His Heart

Stopping in front of Jazzy, I hold out my hand to her, ignoring the fact she was mid-conversation with Daniella. “I want to dance, and you are the only woman in this ballroom worth dancing with.”

My sister smiles at me. Jazzy is everything good in this world. She literally has a heart of gold and always tries to make everyone happy. Even if they don’t deserve it. “Oh, come on, CJ. There are plenty of women in this room I’m sure would kill for a chance to dance with you.”

“Probably, but none that I want to dance with. Come on.” I take hold of Jazzy’s hand and pull her closer to me.

“I’m sorry,” she tells Daniella as I drag her away and into the center of the dance floor. My sister’s arms wrap around my neck and she stares up at me with a look that tells me she’s disappointed. “That was rude.”

“What was? Wanting to dance with my only sister?” I ask her.

“No, pretending Daniella wasn’t standing right there.”

“Who?” I raise a brow in question.

“Don’t be an ass, CJ. It really doesn’t suit you.”

“Come on, Jazzy. We both know I’m an asshole. You just like to have a much higher opinion of me than I deserve.”

“You’re not an asshole. Usually,” she says. “Are you really going to ignore her all night?”

“Yes,” I grunt.

“Why?”

“Because I can.”

“But why not just talk to her?”

“And say what? Do you still have the heart you tore from my chest because I’d like it fucking back? There’s nothing to say to her, Jazzy. Not everyone gets the fairy tale.”

“I did.” My sister smiles.

“I would hardly call your husband Prince Charming.” My face scrunches up. “You could have done better.”

“There is nothing wrong with Jake.” Jazzy huffs. “And you know it.”

“Can I cut in?” Speak of the devil and he appears. My sister’s husband stands beside us.

“No,” I tell him.

“Yes.” Jazzy pushes at my chest. “Just talk to her, CJ. You will feel better once you do.”

“I’d rather have every inch of my skin peeled from my body while I was conscious than talk to her. Thanks for the dance, sis.” I walk away, bypassing everyone else I know in this ballroom before I find the closest exit and push my way through the door.

I need to get out of here. I need to get away from her. I make it three steps out the door when my name is being called behind me.

“CJ, you going somewhere?”

“Yeah, I got something to do.” I turn and face my father, who is now closing the door behind him, leaving us in the hallway alone.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“I didn’t think you were someone who ran from their problems,” he says with a raised brow.

“Who says I’m running?” I ask, knowing damn well that’s exactly what I’m doing.

“The fact you’re sliding out a side exit, just so you don’t have to face a certain person you don’t want to deal with in that ballroom.”