Page 35 of Love In The Air

Whatever. Let everyone believe what they wanted. Iz knew the truth. She and Chance were friends with benefits. So what if he hung out at her place and cooked her food all the time? He did it so they could stay in bed. Restaurants required pants and she and Chance worked best without them. And just because he watched her comfort show with her—even though she saw him grimace at some episodes—didn’t mean he cared. Yes, he’d opened up about his family a little—her heart still ached for him, emotions clogging her throat as she remembered the raw pain still fresh in his eyes as he spoke about his brother—but that didn’t mean they were more than what they were.

It didn’t mean he cared.

Did it?

Did she?

“Hey, Iz,” Jen motioned for her. “Got a second to talk about your duo act? You too, Chance.”

A sigh of relief left her. Saved from her internal debate by her director. She allowed her brain to refocus on the task at hand and not on the infuriatingly sexy man who had her all twisted up inside.

“This is looking really great, you two,” Jen said when they both made their way to her side. “But I was wondering…”

The show director glanced down at the notebook in her hand. The one she carried around with her filled with notes and the show routines. When she glanced back up, Jen had a spark in her eyes.

“Iz, how comfortable are you with your dislocator?”

Ugh, she hated dislocator. The name alone was horrifying. If you didn’t perform it right, you actually could dislocate your shoulders. Iz had gotten the move down a few times, but she hated it. Not that she would tell her boss that. No. Iz plastered a big smile on her face and said, “Love it.”

Jen marked something in her notebook. “Excellent. And how would you feel about going from an elbow roll into dislocator?”

“Wait,” Chance held up a hand. “Like as she’s spinning? Isn’t that kind of dangerous? It takes a lot of flexibility to safely perform a dislocator.”

Was he implying she wasn’t flexible? Sure she wasn’t as flexible as him, but she could do the damn move.

“It is a tricky move.” Jen frowned. “I really think it would be dynamite in the act, but I suppose I could put it in another one with more experienced—”

“No!” Iz cleared her throat when Jen’s eyes went wide at her loud denial. Giving a soft laugh she smiled. “I can totally do that move. It’s not a problem at all.”

“You sure?” Jen asked.

“Iz,” Chance hissed, leaning in close to whisper to her. “That move is dangerous, I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you—”

She subtly smashed her foot on his toe, cutting off his quiet protest.

Fury and embarrassment started a low burn in her gut. He was right that the move sounded like a disaster waiting to happen if she couldn’t stick it, but that’s why they practiced. Besides, this was their boss. Why was he undermining her in front of Jen? Was he trying to make her look bad?

A seed of doubt wiggled its way into her brain. Old habits slinking up to the surface. Their history of always trying to win one over on the other rearing its ugly head. Maybe they hadn’t changed as much as she thought. Maybe all this sex had just been that. Sex. All the sharing, the opening up, the sweet gestures…had it all been fake? A ploy to get her to let her guard down so Chance could swoop in and prove he was once again better at everything?

Clenching her fist tight so she didn’t haul off and smack him, she faced Jen and smiled.

“I’m game for trying it. I’m sure with practice I can nail it.”

“Really?” Jen’s worried gaze passed back and forth between Chance, the hoop, and Iz. Doubt crowing into the owner’s eyes. “I didn’t mean to suggest anything that would make you uncomfortable.”

“No, no.” She pushed out a small laugh. “I’m happy to learn it. Sounds fun!”

Jen’s worried brow eased as she smiled and nodded. “Great. Why don’t you come in tomorrow half an hour early and we can work on it together?”

“Perfect.”

Jen turned and headed to the front of the studio, calling the end of tonight’s rehearsal.

“Iz—”

“Can it, Chance,” she said through clenched teeth.

Iz glanced around, but everyone was busy packing up to go home. No one was paying attention to them. Her smile was so tight her cheeks hurt. Turning to face the traitor, she moved closer and spoke in a very hushed and harsh tone. Her words belying the happy appearance fixed on her face. “How dare you.”