Chapter 12 - KMCF

"What're you planning on doing?" I said.

Hunter stayed silent for a short time before speaking. "Who? Me?" He looked down at me and smirked.

"Yes, you. Who else?" I replied, but he only managed to give me a slight smile and a vague reply.

"Nothing." With that said, Hunter had switched partners with Brandon, Miranda's partner. So, I ended up with Brandon and him, Miranda.

It all happened so fast, that even Grace, who had hawk like eyes, didn't even notice. The other bridesmaid and groomsman partners weren't aware also. Mostly because they were all trying to perfect Grace's dance routine.

I tried to get a look at Hunter, to get a reasonable explanation, but his back was all I could see.

So, instead of trying to get an answer from Hunter, I acknowledged Brandon's presence. He looked at me with his face covered in confusion and amusement. "What just happened?" He asked.

"If I knew, I'd be explaining right now," I answered.

"Then, I wonder if this is part of the routine," he said while giving me a twirl.

"Believe me, it's not."

With only small talk, Brandon and I didn't have much to talk about. So instead we grew silent and just kept dancing. But, every now and then I would be able to see Miranda and each time she'd have a blissful expression showering her face.

I just decided to focus on my partner, who wasn't as handsome as Hunter, but he was cute and good looking in his own way. Dirty blonde hair, a clean shave, and beautiful hazel eyes. Brandon even smelled differently, he had a mysterious fruity fragrance covered all over him. I sniffed him even more just trying to decode his sweet smelling odor.

"Apple and pomegranate," surprised by his voice, I looked up to see Brandon smiling.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." I was really embarrassed because I could only answer back with an apology and a small laugh.

"No, it's totally fine. It happens quite a lot," he said with a comforting smile.

"Really?" I raised an eyebrow. "You're okay with people frequently smelling you because your odor arouses them?"

He stayed silent for a moment before chuckling a bit. "Well, when you put it that way, I'm not so okay about it anymore."

I too released a chuckle.

"You know, you're really good at dancing," he said.

"Well, aren't we all? I mean, no one wants to stay after and watch as she demonstrates differences between a twirl and a spin." I let out a small sigh.

"You're right," he said as he laughed. "I wonder how you put up with it, being her sister and all."

"I .." I drifted off my sentence before looking away. "I can't tell you, it's a secret." I teased.

"Please, oh great one." Brandon smiled while bowing his head.

"Hm, when you put it tha-"

Suddenly, without a warning, I was returned to my previous partner. Just my luck. The same thing had happened again, no one noticed especially Grace.

"Why did you switch partners?" I questioned him.

"I felt guilty for being the cause of your fight, so I just wanted to patch things up. I don't think you two will be getting into any fights any time soon." He explained as he gave a sincere smile.

"I don't believe you," I said in utter shock. "Miranda is really hard to persuade."

"Jen, have you forgotten?" He dipped me. "I own a successful hotel, persuasion is my number one skill." He smiled slyly.

"No, I haven't forgotten. I do recall all the numerous times you've used your number one skill on me." I gave him a quick glare. "But, I'm still finding this hard to believe."

I couldn't find truth about my best friend not being mad anymore just because of a talk she had with the person who was part of why she was mad.

"Then, would you like a piece of gum?" Hunter asked.

"How does that have to do with anything?" I raised my eyebrow.

"I figured you'd want something to keep you going, since we've been dancing for this long."

"Oh, okay." In a split second Hunter's lips locked with mine.

I managed to keep dancing even though my legs were feeling weak from the passionate kiss. But, of course I messed up my footwork a little bit. In moments he pulled his lips away from mine and at that moment I felt something strange. In my mouth. It only took me a few seconds to realize the kiss left behind a piece of gum.

I immediately looked up at Hunter to scold him, but I happened to see Miranda over his shoulder. That's when my heart sank.

She saw us kiss. My best friend is mad at me for being with Hunter. Yet, I'm here kissing him in front of her.

I felt panic all over my body, but then Miranda gave me an apologetic smile and a nod before turning back to her partner.

Does this mean that she's not angry anymore?

"Now, do you believe me?" Hunter asked with a smirk on his face.

"You convinced her.. thank you." I said as my lips sketched a small smile. "And that gum trick was unnecessary," I glowered.

Hunter unexpectedly tightens his grip around my waist. "How else would I show that Brandon guy who he's messing with?"

I've never seen this side of Hunter before and frankly speaking, I found it extremely attractive. "Do my eyes deceive me? Hunter Manning seems to be jealous."

He looked taken back a bit, but quickly regained his composure. "Well, anyone would be seeing how you two were laughing and touching one another." Furrowing his eyebrows deeper as he spoke.

"How could you possibly have seen us, when you weren't even facing us?"

"I'm not deaf, Jen."

"I know, you're jealous," I said.

All of a sudden, the music stopped. Indicating that the dance routine was over. Each partner pulled away from each other and faced Grace, waiting for her instructions.

"Well, that wasn't as atrocious as I thought it would be." Grace spoke up, her voice echoing through the silent room. "But, I think some of you might stay after," she said as she looked in my direction.

At the time I rolled my eyes and sighed, where as Hunter snickered a little.

"In a sec, Luke and I will perform our dance routine also. But, for now, rest and drink some water." She pointed to a corner in the room that had bottled water.

Miranda and Brandon walked towards us as most people walked towards the packages of water.

"Hi," Miranda said with a slight smile.

"Hey."

We immediately gave each other a hug before whispering the word sorry in each other's ear. We released one another in a few seconds. She gave me and Hunter a bright smile with teary eyes before heading towards the bottled water station.

Because of Hunter, I managed to get back my best friend. I really owed him for this, but not right now. He seemed occupied with jealousy.

Miranda left behind something, Brandon. I could feel Hunter tense up as Brandon smiled at me.

"I never got to hear the secret," Brandon said.

"Ohh, that." I signaled for Brandon to slightly bend down, so I could be able to whisper in his ear.

Instantaneously, Brandon burst out laughing. It earned a smile from me and a puzzled expression from Hunter.

"That's hilarious," he said with a grin. He sent a goodbye wave to me and a slight nod to Hunter, then proceeded towards Miranda.

"What did you say?" Hunter asked quickly after Brandon left.

"Nothing much," I smiled.

"Jen.." he said almost sounding like a whine.

"Jen.." I copied.

***