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“You came,” she murmured, still in shock.
His presence meant something, right? He didn’t have to be here, he certainly hadn’t needed to track her down. There was no reason for him to seek her out...unless he really wanted to.
“I came.”
“I hoped you would.” She hiccupped, cursed the tequila and went on with her confession. Her voice low, she admitted, “I just didn’t want you to know that I hoped you would.”
“Of course I knew you hoped I would.”
She blinked. “Wait, did I say that right? I’m confused.”
“Not as confused as me.”
“As I.”
“What?”
“Not as confused as I.”
“Thank you, Grammar Granny.”
She pinched his shoulder, for three reasons. For the Granny remark, for the teasing and to make sure he was really here.
One dark eyebrow went up, but she’d swear his lips quirked with humor. “What was that for?”
“Why’d it take hours for you to show up? Couldn’t you read between the lines? I was ready to order dessert, and God knows my hips don’t need any cheesecake.”
“Your hips are perfect,” he insisted, cupping one in his hand. “Why didn’t you just come right out and invite me?”
She tried to rise off his knee, struggling to appear graceful, but failing miserably. Sighing and giving up, she admitted, “I didn’t want to seem desperate.”
“You could never seem desperate.” He leaned closer and kissed the tip of her nose. “Just clumsy.”
“I’m not clumsy,” she insisted, succeeding in sliding into her chair. It didn’t wobble, thank heaven. But her stomach was doing enough wobbling of its own with all those butterflies flitting around in there. That nose kiss had been too flirty and adorable. Definitely not an I-just-want-to-fuck-you gesture. But a cute, we’re-sort-of-dating one.
He was here. He was really here. Moreover, he wanted to be. How crazy was that?
He sat in the chair next to her. “As for why it took so long, I was out and just heard your message a little while ago.”
“I’m surprised I caught you still in town.”
“I’ve been waiting.”
Her whole body tensed. “Waiting for what?”
“To see if you’d call.”
Viv couldn’t breathe—she swore even her heart stopped beating in her chest for one long moment. She stared into his eyes, searching for deceit, seeing none.
He meant it. He’d waited for her. She’d run out on him, leaving him a cowardly note, and he’d waited for her to get in touch, not pushing, not demanding. It surprised her, honestly, given how strong and impatient she knew he could be—deliciously so. But his admission also made something warm and sweet open up within her. A flower of optimism, which she’d ruthlessly crushed last spring, began to bloom in her heart.
He’d waited. For her.
“I thought you had to get home to Miami,” she finally replied.
“I was planning to leave tomorrow if you still hadn’t reached out.” He covered her hand on the table, lacing his fingers with hers. “I’m glad you did.”
Viv licked her lips, suddenly nervous. The effects of the margaritas wore off quickly, like a veil she’d dropped to the floor. Reality crashed in. She’d invited him back into her life. She’d opened herself up to this gorgeous, rich, perfect man, and he’d accepted her invitation. So what now?
“Are you going to introduce me to your friends?”
Okay, that was a start. Nodding, she cleared her throat. Of course, the other two couples had been pretending to mind their own business and keep up with their conversations, but the moment she made the noise, four pairs of eyes turned toward her.
“Everyone, this is my friend Damien.” She nodded toward the couple on Damien’s right. “Damien, meet Lulu and Chaz Browning.”
They smiled and said their hellos, and then Viv gestured to the couple on her left. “And here are Amelia and Lex, aka Bridezilla and her hapless groom-to-be.”
Amelia wrinkled her nose at Viv before offering Damien a smile. “Ignore her. She’s just mad because I’m making her wear an orange bridesmaid dress.”
“God, don’t remind me,” Viv said, reaching for her drink. “The wedding’s on Halloween weekend,” she explained. “So can’t I just wear black? Let Lulu wear the orange?”
Lulu glared. “If you’re wearing black, I’m wearing black.”
“Orange!” Amelia pronounced, not a bit moved. Ugh, Viv thought.
“You look familiar,” Lex said to Damien, his eyes narrowed as if he was trying to place the other man. “Have we met?”
