"You're totally going to get married," Alice said behind me. "It would be a waste not to. Look at him. He’d be wearingthaton yourweddingday."
I shook my head to myself, the spell broken, and ran up the stone walkway to Rob. I felt awkward in my new heels, and I teetered slightly as I reached the entryway. Rob reached out to catch me, his big hands wrapping around my slender biceps. "You all right?" hemurmured.
"It must be the uniform. Makes me feelfainty."
He grinned. He ran his finger under my jawline, tilting my chin up towards him. "You make me feelfainty,too."
I smiled at that, although I felt strangely sad. Alice hadn't meant to depress me with all the teasing marriage talk, I knew, and yet it was hard to want what I knew wasimpossible.
I should have walked out of the house the minute I saw Rob Delaney, left the towels running in the washing machine and returned to my ordinary life before he could make me cravesomethingelse.
"What's wrong?" he asked, a frown wrinkling the skin between his deepblueeyes.
"Nothing," I said. "The house looks lovely. I can't believe you pulled this all together soquickly."
"It wasn't that quick," he said, and though his patter came lightly and easily, he was still looking at me far too closely. "I've been planning since youvolunteeredme--"
"You totally volunteeredyourself."
"And then I've been working on this in every quiet moment that we didn't spend under siege. Also, I hired a really great event planner." This last in aconfessionaltone.
"Ah,Isee."
"Come look," he said, taking my arm in his and tucking it through the crook of his elbow. He patted my hand. "You look lovely, but I worry I'll smudge you. I think I like you better injeans."
"That's what I told Alice," I said, and then regretted giving away that I'd been thinking of what wouldpleasehim.
But as we walked through the foyer, which was filled with cocktail tables draped with long, gauzy linens in shades of blues and greens, decorated with flickering candles, I realized he'd spent time thinking of what wouldpleaseme.
"Rob," I said, "This isamazing."
A waiter stopped to offer them a tray full of canapes. I glanced down at the beautifully arranged seafood and murmuredno thank you. Rob waved to another server, who headedourway.
"There are chicken tenders for you,"hesaid.
I laughed out loud. "Who knew it would be chicken tenders that would make me feel like the princess oftheball?"
"You are the princess," he said, "And this isyourball."
He took my hands in his and drew me close. The band was playing softly, the music almost sad, as we waltzed together across the floor. I rested my cheek against his warm chest, letting him lead for once. This moment was brief, I knew it would end, but it was perfectfornow.
As the last few notes of the song played, Rob said, "I'd like a drink. Come to the barwithme?"
I twined my fingers through his inresponse.
We were standing at the bar, watching two white-coated bartenders pour our drinks when I saw Alice at the edge of the ballroom, looking anxious. "I'll be right back," I promised Rob, squeezing his fingers before Iletgo.
"I'll bewaiting."
I was walking away towards Alice when I heard Rebecca's low, honey tones behind me. I rolled my eyes. Of course the jealous grandmother would poach Rob the second Iwalkedaway.
"I'm so glad you and Kate are rekindling your friendship,"Rebeccasaid.
I stopped dead, waving to catch Alice's attention, hoping the few intervening dancers between Rob and me would hide me while I eavesdropped. Alice's eyes met mine and then widened; I wondered what she had seen in my expression. Alice hurried through the crowd, holding her champagne flute high to avoid being bumped by thedancers.
"We've been friends a long time. Just fallen out of touch." Rob's voicewascool.
"Out of touch?" Rebecca's voice was mischievous. "You should go after her. Tell her howyoufeel--"
