My feet ache, my knees throb and I am sweating in all the wrong places but I have never had so much fun. Ryan twirled and dipped me all around the dance floor and I don't think I stopped smiling once. My restrictive dress didn't stop him from getting fancy with the footwork and my overbearing brother didn't stop him from getting handsy with me either. I truly felt connected to Ryan as we danced and my stammering heart proves I am truly enamored with him.

We are now breathing heavily, hands clasped together anxiously awaiting the dance results and Annabeth and Austin look just as confident. They didn't have quite the same passion or chemistry Ryan and I had but Austin does know how to handle a lady. She moved quite effortlessly with him and he did an amazing job at being the leader- but I don't think they have anything on our two-step.

"This year's annual Founder's Day dance champions are..." Mr. Blackwood announces and then slaps his hands on his legs for a drum roll effect, "Ms. Sawyer Sweeney and her partner Mr. Ryan Hart!" I let out a light squeal and clap my hands together before Ryan pulls me in for a hug. He quickly pulls back and I tug him up to the stage. Mr. Blackwood places chinsey brass medals around our necks and I hold the small weight in my hands. I look to a congratulatory Mr. Blackwood and he shakes our hands while smiling.

I am about to walk off the stage and into the applauding crowd when Mr. Blackwood holds me back.

"Since we have you up here, we might as well announce this year's Hollis Belle. Which, you are also the recipient of tonight. Congratulations Sawyer." A genuine smile takes over my face and I look to Ryan with glee. Mr. Blackwood leads me back to the center of the stage and places a simple silk "Hollis Belle" sash over my dress. He pulls me in for a polite hug and I immediately turn to Ryan after. He hugs me again while the audience gives me an applause and right before I turn to wave to the crowd, I do the unimaginable.

Ryan and I are so caught up in the moment that when I smile at him as he says, "Congratulations," we then both go in for a kiss, right on the lips. Completely natural to us, like we've been doing it forever. The crowd continues to clap and when I pull away from him, my heart sinks and my stomach flips. We both realize we messed up at the exact same time and we turn to face the crowd.

My eyes immediately find Austin, and I no longer think his face is red from the heat. He is mad- like, steam coming out of the ears mad.

I glance to Ryan and he immediately drops my hand. I give one last small wave to the crowd and dash off the stage. Ryan is on my heels and we both beeline it to the back of the dance hall, in the opposite direction of Austin. I am about to duck into the empty coat check closet when Ryan grabs my arm to pull me back.

"Sawyer, we are going to have to face Austin at some point. There is no point in running." I glance to him and then to his grip on my arm before saying, "You have nothing to worry about. Austin will blame this on me." Ryan shakes his head.

"No he won't. I had strict instructions to stay away from you and I just absentmindedly kissed you in front of the entire town. Austin is going to punch me in the face."

"Let's just say we got caught up in the moment. That we went too far with pretending today and accidentally kissed," I suggest.

Ryan smirks at me and says, "That was no peck on the lips Sawyer. I just straight up kissed you. There's no faking that." Ryan runs his hands through his hair and I'm not ready to come down off my dancing high. I also don't want to fall off my fluffy cloud yet. My life has been blissful and fun these past few days and I am not ready for it to end. I don't want to be forced to stay away from Ryan. We just had a blast spinning around on the dance floor and now I am trying to crawl into a hole.

"This isn't fair Ryan. I literally just got everything I ever wanted. I got the dancing trophy, which I have never even been in the running for, I got the Hollis Belle sash even after my mortifying scandal and I got kissed by the hottest guy Hollis has ever hosted and it's all about to be ripped away from me because of Austin," I complain. "I haven't felt this glorious in months and now I am about to have my ass chewed out by my brother. This sucks," I immaturely complain. Ryan opens his arms to pull me into him and immediately realizes that is the wrong move. I frown at his hesitancy and he looks just as defeated.

I catch Austin barreling towards us over Ryan's shoulder and from the look I give Ryan, he knows he's close. I see Annabeth is on his heels, trying to pull him back but Austin is a man on a mission. I see the fire burning in his eyes and Ryan turns around, bracing himself for a punch to the face.

"What the hell was that? And don't give me no bullshit. I'm not an idiot," Austin says forcefully and he's not in the mood for any sarcasm.

"It was nothing Austin. I got caught up in the moment. I already apologized to Ryan. It's nothing," I say again, trying my best to convince him but he glares at Ryan.

"Who cares if they kissed? The whole town thinks they are dating." Annabeth interjects and Austin turns to her with a scowl, "Annabeth, I need to talk to my sister. Please give us a minute." Annabeth flickers her eyes over to me, waiting for my permission to leave and I nod my head to her. She glances between Austin and me one last time and then heads back to the festivities.

When she is out of earshot Austin looks back to us, still fuming.

"That wasn't forced or an accident. I've seen the glances between you two and I've ignored them but I shouldn't have. This, whatever it is or was is over." He states firmly. I'm taken back by his demanding tone but I'm not going to let Austin dictate whom I choose to date. Or sleep with. Or whatever it is that Ryan and I are currently doing.

"Austin this isn't any of your business," I snap back and he's completely bewildered with my words. His wild eyes look between Ryan and I as he says, "This is completely my business. Ryan, I told you not to even look at her. And I didn't think that was going to be an issue because you have never shown an interest in women when we are working. I didn't think the first time you'd chose to indulge would be with my sister."

"To be fair, I never thought I'd be insanely attracted to your sister," Ryan replies and my stomach swells with butterflies.

"This is crossing a line Ryan," Austin spits and we all go silent for a moment. Ryan takes a few steps away from me and I feel betrayed. I glance to him and then back to Austin.

"Why do you care so much Austin? Why do you care if Ryan is attracted to me or what we do after hours?" I ask. I watch Austin clench his jaw shut and I realize I chose a poor choice of words. Ryan looks to the floor while Austin glares at him, "What she's talking about?" Ryan puts his hands up, afraid of Austin physically lashing out and replies, "Calm down Austin. It's not what you think."

"What is it then?" Austin looks back to me and says, "What is this?"

"It's purely physical Austin. It's just a physical attraction. I don't get why you are getting so worked up here," I say, completely exasperated. I also know that I can't let him know that I am aware of what their real day job is. That will open up another can of whoop-ass.

That and I understand why Austin is upset because Ryan has told me that he doesn't want me involved with their work. Neither of them wants me getting hurt or involved in their case, but I have to play dumb and pretend I don't understand what the big deal is. As far as I know, they are both nerdy co-workers.

"What do you mean physical?" Austin grits through his teeth and now I am worried about Austin messing up Ryan's beautifully structured face, "Tell me you two haven't been hooking up." Ryan and I stare at Austin but remain silent. Ryan runs his hands down his face as I chew on the inside of my cheek. I know my face is flaming red and my dress is suddenly restricting my breathing.

Austin drops the finger he had pointed at us and then walks in a slow circle with his hands on his hips- completely appalled by our silent confession. When he's made a full rotation, he looks to me and says, "Sawyer, there are things you don't understand. But you need to trust me when I say it is in your best interest to stay away from Ryan. And Ryan, you know why this can't go on." Ryan looks to Austin completely aware of what he is really getting at. He's been quiet but I can tell something is on the tip of his tongue. He looks to Austin, preparing himself for what he's about to say but when he's about to talk, Austin cuts him off, "This is done. If all this was, was...physical or whatever it shouldn't be that hard to stay away from each other for the rest of our time here." Ryan doesn't let Austin have the final word and finally decides to speak up. He moves closer to me before saying, "Austin I'm not just casually sleeping with your sister. I like her...a lot. I think I'm... like, falling for her." Austin is gobsmacked. Completely at a loss for words, he just stares at Ryan in awe. I feel like I have the same expression, as I just blankly stare at Ryan- trying to find a response I feel comfortable saying in front of Austin.

Ryan is anxiously waiting for one of us to say something but no words are forming. I'm pretty sure my just heart exploded in my chest at his confession, so I'm not even sure if my brain is still functioning properly. Austin finally manages to find a few words in the English language and mutters, "This can't be happening." He throws his hands in the air, not knowing what else to say and just stalks off. I watch him disappear into the crowd and I feel Ryan beside me. When I meet his eyes, I see sheer terror. He has no idea what to expect from me and my hands shake from nervousness. My brain is still processing my feelings but I know what the outcome will be.

I quickly snatch up Ryan's hands and confess, "I've been terrified these last couple of days because it was so hard to continue lying to myself. You told me over and over that this was a physical fling that was going to end when your case was done. And I agreed. I asked you to distract me from my pain but you ended up healing me. It may have started out as a physical attraction but Ryan, I'm falling for you too." I wasn't sure what to expect from Ryan after my confession, but I wasn't expecting him to completely withdraw from me. He takes a few steps backward and puts his head in his hands completely frustrated. I am so confused with his internal struggle that it prompts me to ask, "Did I just say the wrong thing?" Ryan grabs my shoulders and finds my eyes.

"Sawyer, Austin is right. Regardless of how I feel about you, I can't put you in harm's way. I was hoping you didn't feel the same way because it would make this so much easier."

"Make what easier?"

"Sawyer we can't see each other anymore. This past week has been amazing but it was a mistake," he says gently. I shake my head at him, feeling the lump gather in my throat and choke out, "A mistake?"

"Sawyer, I told you I can't have a weak spot," he says with a shake of his head. "I've seen what bad guys do to weak spots and I agree with Austin. You can't be a target. I would never forgive myself if something bad happened to you because I was selfish. I am falling for you in an insanely short amount of time and that's why I have to end this now. We can't see each other anymore and that includes talking about the case."

"What? What was the point of telling Austin that you are into me then? How can you say something like that and then say I've been a mistake?" I frustratingly ask.

"I needed Austin to know I'd never disrespect you like that- that there are feelings here. But Sawyer, what we are doing cannot continue. I don't want to hurt you but I can't let you get tangled up in our work." Suddenly, not only am I upset, I'm angry. He can't just cut me off with everything I know.

"What about how I feel? What about the Carmichael stuff? You just expect me to go back to having my head in the sand?" I ask in a huff. "No, I need to know what's going on with that. You can't just cut me off," I snap.

"Sawyer, this is why I have to cut you off. You know way more than you should. Please, please don't make this harder," he pleads. I shake my head at him, at a loss for words. I'm fuming but I know I won't win this one. I understand their reasons for keeping me in the dark, but now that I've seen the light, they can't just pretend I haven't.

"My feelings won't change for you Ryan. I am falling for you and I know enough about Kenny and Simon to stay curious. You can cut me off but the damage is done. I'm stopping that wedding and holding out hope that we can continue...whatever this is. Whether you want me to or not."

Ryan frowns and looks back to me, "You're a stubborn girl Sawyer."

My eyes narrow as I respond, "Only when it comes to getting things I want. And I want you."