Page 138 of Unseen Danger
He’d be anything for her. The words he wanted to voice died on his lips. He did enjoy dancing, and if it meant he could hold her in his arms, he’d dance with her all night long.
But it would only postpone the inevitable. Only prolong the goodbye that must be said. Only make him fall in love that much more with this woman he had to leave.
“I guess I’ll go find Jazz.” Disappointment was written all over her face as she moved away.
“Nevaeh, wait.” Branson caught her hand.
She turned back to face him.
If this was the final evening they had together, maybe even the last time he’d see her, he couldn’t leave her like this. Disappointed and maybe hurt.
“I’d love to dance with you.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“I’m actually a pretty good dancer, believe it or not. Especially ballroom.”
A beautiful smile lit her face. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. My mom had all us kids learn.”
“Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Um…” He looked toward the ceiling as if pretending to think. “Play the violin? I tried, but I couldn’t get into it. Piano was more my thing.”
She laughed. If only he could bottle up that sound and keep it with him wherever he went.
“Okay, let’s see those mad dance skills.”
He offered his arm, and she placed her hand there.
It seemed like only seconds later when Bristol approached them on the dance floor during a slow dance. “Hey, guys. Rem and I are going to head home. Toby’s waiting for his dinner.”
Nevaeh pulled back from the cradle of Branson’s arms.
He reluctantly let her go as she glanced around the room, probably looking for the clock on the far wall.
“Eight thirty?” She glanced at Branson.
He looked from the clock back to her. “Time flies.” When I’m with you, he wanted to add. Holding her in his arms for dance after dance, with a few breaks for visiting with her friends, had made an hour feel like five minutes.
“I’d better go, too. Cannenta and Alvarez are probably wondering where I am.”
“Sure.” Branson gave Nevaeh a smile that likely looked as sad as his sagging heart. He should probably tell her the bad news—that he had to go back to L.A. But he couldn’t find the words. Not yet. Maybe when they said goodbye for the night. Which could be goodbye forever. “I’ll go tell the valet to bring your pickup.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
He met her gaze. “I want to.” It was only a fraction of what he wanted to do for her.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with hesitation—or was it confusion? She opened her mouth like she was going to say something, then closed it.
Hope floated like a bubble in his stomach. Maybe she would say something that would work as an excuse to see her again before he left.
Her lips parted. “Thanks.”
The bubble burst. But what had he expected? Their working relationship was over. He was pretty sure she liked him, but he couldn’t be sure how much. And he’d have to leave regardless. Even if he could stay somehow, that would only mean the torture of having to tell her he had feelings for her but couldn’t act on them unless she shared his faith.
Disappointment seemed to strain her features, too, as she turned away and went to the table where the other Phoenix K-9 women were grouped, some gathering their things.