Ronin appears at my elbow, leaning in close to lift the lid so I can see inside. The warmth of his body presses against my side and I suppress a shiver. His scent washes over me, and tonight he smells like mint and something woodsy I can’t place.
“And this one is peppermint white chocolate hot cocoa.” He lifts the second lid and I lean in to sniff, my stomach grumbling at the delicious smell. He closes both lids and leans against the bar facing me, elbows on the counter behind him.
I drink in the sight of him and my mouth goes dry. He’s wearing snug-fitting black dress pants that hug all of his—ahem—assets in all of the right places. His long-sleeved, dark green button up is tucked in, and the material looks silky to the touch. My fingers ache to run across his chest to find out for myself. The top few buttons of his shirt are undone, leaving a peek of his tanned chest. His hair has been styled tonight, combed back and away from his face, forehead on display. What is it about men and their foreheads showing that is so weirdly attractive? I blame it on all of the K-POP idols. Us fans go feral for a glimpse of forehead from those guys.
Either way, Ronin’s…hot. There is no other way to put it. All coherent thought escapes my brain and I’m suddenly not sure what to say to this man.
“You look beautiful, Mel,” he says, interrupting my inner panic. His deep blue eyes seem to smolder as he takes me in, scanning me lazily from head to toe and back up again.
My face burns under his scrutiny. I’m wearing my favorite dress. It’s navy blue and sparkly, fitted at the top with sleeves that are long and flowy, and the skirt a delicate pouf of tulle that hangs down to my knees. I purchased this dresslast year on a whim, hoping I would have an excuse to wear it to some swanky Hollywood party. Somehow the invite never arrived to any parties, and the dress has hung lonely in my closet for the last year until now. I’ve left my hair down tonight, loosely curled, and one side clipped back with a silver, sparkly clip.
“Um, thanks,” I mumble, shuffling in place awkwardly, glancing around to see where Mom went. She’s talking to Nora next to one of the cookie tables, so there goes my escape plan. With a defeated huff, I gesture back to Ronin. “You look, uh, nice, too.”
Smooth as ever, Mellie.
Ronin smirks, and his lips quirk up to one side ever so slightly. That damn mouth of his has become increasingly distracting. His lips are perfectly full, and I’m assaulted with the sudden desire to kiss him. I take a step back, putting some much needed distance between us.
“I’m going to say hello to your grandma,” I say, latching on to the excuse to catch my breath.
Ronin pushes away from the bar, standing tall at his full height over six feet. “I’ll come with you.” He holds his arm out for me to take, and because I apparently want to be tortured tonight, I take it, threading my arm through his. My skin burns from the warmth of his, heating me even through the fabric of his shirt and the long, flowing sleeve of my dress. My fingers can’t help but lightly graze the soft, silky material of his shirt.
My pulse quickens, and I hope Ronin can’t feel how affected I am. All I need is to embarrass myself in front of him, yet again.
He walks me to where my mother stands with Nora, the two women pausing their conversation as they see us approach.
“Well, aren’t you two a sight to behold,” Nora exclaims, eyes shining as she takes us in with arms entwined.
“You make a very handsome couple, if I daresay,” Mom chimes in, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, avoiding my glare. She smiles widely at Ronin. “And you, Ronin! You look dashing this evening.”
“Why, thank you, Mrs. Baker,” Ronin replies. I pull my arm gently away from his and step forward to hug his grandmother.
“So lovely to see you again, Amelia,” Nora says softly. “I hope you’re enjoying your time home so far?” Her sparkling gray irises flick to her grandson and back to mine, and I catch a glint shining in them.
“It’s been really nice to be home,” I reply, trying to ignore Ronin in my peripheral vision and failing. My heart stops as we make eye contact and he smiles at me again, a small one that pops a dimple.
Good grief, is this going to happen every single time the manlooksat me?
An arm snakes around my waist, and I’m saved from the moment by Bree placing a peck on my cheek.
“Mellie!” Bree exclaims, twirling me in place. My dress sparkles under the low lighting. “Whatis this dress? You’re stunning!” She turns to Ronin, her heart-shaped face shining. “Doesn’t she lookstunning,Ro?”
Mortified, I try to catch Bree’s attention but she blatantly ignores me, too busy batting her eyelashes at Ronin.
“She does,” Ronin agrees. He shoots me a grin that melts me right on the spot. “I already told her so when I saw her.”
I believe he saidbeautiful,but semantics.
“Okay, yes, I’m gorgeous. Let’s move on, shall we?” My face is on fire. “Where’s Brooke?”
“Making me a plate of cookies.” Bree points to where her girlfriend is stacking two plates sky high. “I told her I wanted to sample every single one before filling my cookie tin. I think she took me seriously.”
I laugh, grabbing her hand. “Well, let’s go enjoy some cookies then.”
“I don’t think I can eat another bite,” Breeproclaims loudly, leaning back in her chair and rubbing a hand over her stomach. “I’ve never eaten so many cookies in my life.”
“I’m pretty sure you ate that many cookies last week when they were BOGO at the market,” Brooklyn teases, rubbing a hand down Bree’s back.
Bree gasps. “Called. The fuck. Out. By my own girlfriend, no less.” She pretends to push away from Brooklyn, but her girlfriend pulls her back down into her seat, planting a kiss directly on Bree’s mouth.
