Alice had always tried to gently discourage or shift the conversation when he flirted, but this was getting out of hand. After dinner, she planned to leave. She couldn’t stand the thought of waiting around for fireworks. Preston would try to sit close and brush against her in the dark, and just the thought made her stomach squirm.
The staff was clearing dessert when the doorbell sounded from inside the house. The patio doors were open, and Alice looked toward the main area but couldn’t see the entryway.
“I’ll get it,” she said, pushing her chair back.
“No, dear.” Her mother yanked on her hand. “Jeremy will take care of whoever it is. I haven’t invited anyone else to my home.”
Her mother gave her a significant look. What did that mean?
Alice wanted to run for the front door on the off chance it was Robbie coming for her. She didn’t know how it could be. If he came, he’d go to her condo where he’d dropped her off two and a half weeks ago. Her stomach flipped over at the fear of him showing up on the holiday. He knew better than to do that. Right? Big Buddha would somehow find out and hit men would descend on Robbie and kill him.
Yanking her hand from her mother’s grip, Alice put a hand to her heart to calm it.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” Priscilla asked.
“Yes, thank you. Just a little tired. I’ve been working a lot of hours. I’m going to head home and rest.”
“Preston can see you home,” her mother said, a gleam in her dark eyes.
Alice whirled on her. What was this—the dark ages? Did her mother think she could matchmake her with the man she wanted? Alice looked to Preston, who seemed hopeful. His father looked expectant and his mother looked sweet and encouraging, nodding to her. Her mother, on the other hand, looked downright demanding.
“No, thank you,” Alice said. “I have my own car.”
She stood, bent, and kissed her mother on the cheek.
“Don’t you miss out on Preston for that ogre,” her mother begged. “You’re stop-dead gorgeous and Preston is perfect for you.”
Straightening, Alice glared down at her mother. How awkward she’d say that with the Lavitys right here. A commotion sounded from the front of the house, but she ignored it. She had to be brave and get the words out, put an end to her mother and Priscilla’s meddling and Preston’s hopes of them ever dating.
She looked around the table. “In case my mother hasn’t told you, I am officially dating Robbie Perrine. I love Robbie, and I don’t appreciate any of you trying to matchmake Preston and me.”
Preston’s jaw dropped, obviously shocked she’d choose anyone over him. “Robbie Perrine? The guy you dated in high school? Surely you’re outgrown your silly obsession with a military man who doesn’t have any money.”
“That’s what I said,” her mother threw in.
James and Priscilla simply gave her beseeching looks. As if she’d change her mind and love Preston as they’d always schemed.
“It really doesn’t matter what any of you think,” Alice said, tempted to tell them Robbie had plenty of money, but that was hardly the point. “I love Robbie, and he is my choice.”
She turned to walk away as a large form hurtled over the privacy fence and landed in her mother’s hydrangeas.
The man straightened and turned to face them. His button-down shirt and slacks were disheveled, his dark hair shaggy on top, and he had a full beard coming in. He also looked like he’d been in a brawl.
No man had ever looked so good to her.
“Robbie!”
Alice dashed down the patio steps and across the lawn. Robbie grinned and ran to her. As he reached her, he swept her off her feet and swung her around, his grin widening.
“You came,” she whispered.
“Always.”
He lowered her enough to capture her mouth with his own, still holding her off her feet. The kiss was deep and powerful and binding. His beard was soft, and she liked kissing him with it. He was a man. All man. Her man. Robbie was here. Nothing could go wrong now.
Setting her on her feet, he looked her over. “You look absolutely gorgeous. I can’t even tell you how much I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she exclaimed. “But you look horrible.”
