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I try to pay attention, but my mind keeps wandering to Liv. The night I took her to the veteran’s gala and made love to her for the first time lives rent free in my head. I can still feel her soft curves under my hands. That one glorious night forever burned her intoxicating scent and her sweet taste into my psyche.
I dream about her so often, I’m seeing her when I’m awake. She called my name one day when I was in the locker room. I thought I was going insane. I turned and instead of my reflection in the mirror, it was Liv. She disappeared all too soon, but I would have bet my fortune that she was there. I even called Garrett to make sure she was ok. Of course she was, so I continue to question my sanity. But I wouldn’t trade these dreams and visions for the world. Seeing her, even if it’s not real, eases the ache in my heart. I’ll take what I can get. For now.
Brody makes a speech during dinner. I left an anonymous donation, but as the highest contributor, they still gave an anonymous thank you. Brody winks at me, knowing I’d give him every last dollar if he needed it.
During dessert, Brody pulls me aside. “I sent Liv the auction painting. She didn’t send it back, and she turned me down for a date, so I’m pretty sure you still have a chance.”
“You asked her out?” I glare at him.
He smirks. “Yep. Might have called her beautiful too, can’t remember,” he shrugs and shoves a bite of cheesecake in his mouth.
“Why do I believe that you’d date her if she said yes?”
He laughs. “We’ll never know, because you’re going to win her back.”
I shake my head and laugh at my ridiculous best friend. “Garrett said she devoured the fro-yo in a day.”
“See?” He grins like it’s already a foregone conclusion that she’ll fall back into my arms because I sent her a treat. Maybe I need to adopt his attitude. Brody gets whisked away for a fan meet and greet, and Emilia takes his seat next to me.
Jordy and Skye are on the dancefloor. She gazes up at him with obvious affection as he smiles down at her.
“How long do you think she’s been in love with him?” Emilia asks from next to me and I sigh.
“Years probably,” I say.
“You don’t seem too concerned.”
I shrug. “She’s like a sister to him. He would never cross that line.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”
An enormous pro-linebacker asks to cut in. Jordy hesitates, but steps aside when Skye gives her consent. He watches the guy with open hostility from the side of the dancefloor.
“Yes. If he developed feelings for her, I trust he’d talk to me about it before he made a move.”
“Would you approve?”
I never put much thought into before, but now that the idea is in my head, I don’t hate it.
“If she has to date someone, she could do worse.”
Emilia laughs. “High praise for your best friend.”
I smirk. “He’s lucky he gets that much.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but there’s a dancefloor begging me to take my beautiful wife for a spin,” Xander says, extending his hand to Emilia. She beams up at him and pecks him on the lips before he guides her to the dancefloor.
He holds her close, kissing her inner wrist before placing it on his shoulder. The love between them is clear as day. I smile at my cousin’s happiness while I ache for the woman thousands of miles away that I would give anything to make smile again. I only need to convince her to let me.
