Page 86 of The Wilder Widows

Sucking the air through my teeth, I slunk a little in my seat. “Sorry about that.”

“Which part? The house circling, the crashing in front of my house, or the breaking my heart?”

The mirth in his voice floated away with those last words, and his eyes searched mine.

Exhaling a deep breath, I looked into his eyes. “All of it. I’m sorry, Tom. I’m so sorry about everything.”

The waiter broke up our silent stare when he arrived with the wine. Grateful for the interruption, I smiled and sat back while he filled my glass.

“Are you ready to order?” he asked.

“I’ll have the alfredo special, and Sylvie here will have the shrimp scampi.” He arched a quizzical brow while he watched my face. “Right?”

“You remember.” I smiled.

“Very good,” the waiter said, backing away.

“I remember.” Tom placed his napkin in his lap. “You may not have allowed me out in public to eat with you here that week we spent together, but you brought Italian home twice, and both times you had the shrimp scampi.”

Laughing, I shook my head. “I still love shrimp scampi. And this is my favorite place to get it.”

“It’s funny actually, being out in public with you. You were so worried about being seen with me that I don’t think I got out of your bed for a week.”

Shame refilled that memory. I had still been with Bruce when we met, and even though I’d intended to end my engagement, I still hadn’t wanted to risk being seen out and about with Tom. “I’m sorry I held you prisoner.” I tried to laugh away the shame.

“I didn’t mind.” He took a sip of his wine, holding my gaze. “But being out in public with you is nice, too.”

“It is nice.”

“So, are you going to tell me what brought you home and circling my house?”

Heat flushed my cheeks, and it wasn’t from the wine. “Can we skip over the part where I stalked you?”

“Not a chance.” His smile widened, and it induced the familiar flip-flop in my stomach. “Spill.”

“I don’t even know where to start,” I said.

“The beginning.”

We drank wine and had dinner while I recounted the adventures of the Wilder Widows. With wide eyes and his deep laughter, he listened intently while I told him all about our escapades, right up to the moment we were sitting in the hot tub at the dude ranch.

“But if the dude ranch was your wish, then what brought you here?” he asked as he pushed his empty plate aside.

Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was the way he still looked at me like the girl he once loved. Maybe it was the casual way we were together now that the fear had dissipated. Whatever it was took hold of my tongue, and I admitted my truth. “Because my real wish was to see you again.”

Shock settled in his eyes, and I waited for his reaction.

“I was your wish?”

I nodded and took a much-needed swig of my wine. “Yes. You have always been my wish. My one big regret.”

He took a deep breath and blew it out. “Wow.”

I exhaled my own breath. “Yeah. Wow.”

“So, you haven’t forgotten about me? All these years I figured you never thought about me once. And all these years I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

“I have never, could never, forget you, Tom.”