AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He laughs. Goodness, even Owen’s laugh is sexy. I wonder if I could convince him to alternate swimming naked with me, laughing with me, and having long big-talk conversations with me? I mean, he did say we could share a dating moment.
“You can’t make a statement like that and leave me hanging,” he says.
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Not a chance.”
I take a sip of wine, enjoying the way he’s watching me like I’m the only woman in this room. “You have the body of a god, so I was thinking that in between eating, cooking, working, having your dating moments, spending time with your friends and family, getting to and from all the things you do, and working out, you mustn’t have a lot of time for sleeping.”
The look he gives me lets me know he’s here for this conversation. “There’s a lot to unpack there.”
“There really isn’t.”
“Eating is first on your list. Does that mean you’re a foodie?”
“No, it means I like to eat. I’m not fussy about what food that is.”
His mouth kicks up at the ends. “That’s good for our future dating moments. I know some great places to take you.”
“Did you forget I don’t date?”
“Surely you’ll make an exception for me. I do have the body of a god after all.”
“There is that, but honestly, I’m a high expectations kind of girl, Owen. I look for men who are willing to make a strong emotional commitment. With all the time you spend in the gym, you wouldn’t have time for that with me.”
“I think you’re being presumptuous about the hours I spend in the gym. You might be surprised to know it’s not that many.”
My eyes drop to his chest. “I think your idea of not that many must be different to mine.”
“Let’s just say that I have plenty of time for sleep, right alongside plenty of time for dating moments with a woman who has high expectations of the men she lets into her life.”
We’re interrupted when Poppy yells my name out from the dance floor. “Charles! It’s time to dance!”
My conversation with Owen has drowned out the music. It comes back into focus now and Poppy’s right. It really is time to dance when “Shut Up and Dance” is playing.
I look at Owen as I push my chair back. “This is one of Poppy’s and my songs. I’ll be back. Unless, of course, you want to come and dance with us.”
He leans back in his seat, all sexy eyes and interest. “I think I’d rather watch.”
Oh, this man has it all going on.
And not an ounce of arrogance detected yet.
I drag my eyes from him and make my way to the dance floor where Poppy’s letting loose. She’s arms and hips everywhere, having the time of her life. When I reach her, she throws her arms around my neck. “I fucking love weddings.”
I laugh and dance with her. “On a scale of one to ten, how much are you lovingyourwedding?”
The happiness that’s written all over her only intensifies, telling me everything I need to know. “My love for my wedding is off the scale. I think Seth and I will renew our vows every year. Maybe every six months if I can convince him.”
“That man would give you a wedding every month if that was what you wanted.”
She sighs happily. “He would, wouldn’t he?”
I’ve spent barely any time with Seth, but I’ve talked with him a lot over Zoom, and even from a country away I could see how much he adores Poppy.
“He would, but I’m out. I’m not made for weddings.”
She pulls a face at me. “We both know you love me enough to come to all my weddings. And Dylan’s not getting out of the rest of them. I’ll set up a recurring event on his calendar so he doesn’t double book again.”
