Fifteen minutes later, I stood behind Gina with my arms around her waist, gazing at our reflection in the mirror. The burgundy dress she wore left her shoulders bare and clung to her curves.
"You look good enough for me to forget about dinner and have you now."
She pressed the back of her head to my chest, laughing. "I'd let you, but since we wouldn't hear the end of it from Vance, we'd better get moving."
"Yeah, I wouldn't want him to put us on blast for tying his stomach in knots."
We chuckled and left the room hand in hand. The sound of voices led us to the dining room at the back of the house where the table was spread from end to end with dishes and place settings. The group stood outside on another verandah enclosed by fine netting. We walked through the glass door and joined them.
Immediately, Gina reached for Brianna. The baby held out her arms, and the guys joked about Gina being mommy material.
Vance clapped me on the shoulder. "You better watch out. Involvement with any Chu means Aunt Rose will put you into baby-production mode as quick as you can blink."
"Thank God, Garth and Lise got there first," Gina said, after kissing Brianna's neck.
I didn't hear the jokes that followed. Thoughts of fatherhood had never taken up much of my mental space, but seeing Gina with that baby suddenly turned on a light bulb in my head. If we got things right, I didn't doubt Gina would make a good mother. She was loving and supportive and in my book, those were two important qualities for people thinking about raising children.
"Dinner is ready."
The announcement from the housekeeper suspended my thoughts, but my gaze didn't leave Gina as she walked past me still carrying Brianna.
Dinner was a rowdy affair with loud conversation, jokes, and laughter. Even Brianna, sitting next to her mother in a high chair, let out a squeal now and then as if she didn't want to be left out of our conversation.
My meal of Ackee & Saltfish, fried plantains and steamed vegetables was delicious and filling. Once again, Gina had proven her thoughtfulness. The villa belonged to one of Garth's friends and Gina had passed the message along that I ate a particular way. I squeezed her hand in mine and she looked away from Bryan, who she'd been talking to when I touched her.
I shook my head and whispered, "Everything's good. I just needed to touch you."
Her skin flooded with color, which Vance picked up immediately. He tipped his head toward me and raised his brows. "Can you restrain yourself from whispering sweet nastiness to Little Bit at the dinner table?"
I bit the inside of my cheek and then gave up, laughing with the rest of them.
Gina's blush didn’t leave, but she wagged a finger at Vance. "One day ... "
After dinner, we lazed around chatting in the living room. Each of the padded chairs seemed to be built for two, so we sat in pairs. Bryan and Kathy, who also had Brianna dozing on top of them, lounged in a roomy love seat.
It was a great way to spend time with friends and this pleasant interlude made me wonder whether I shouldn't take Kemar up on his offer. Gina wouldn't be easily convinced that being near family and friends was what she needed, but we had time on our side. I didn't make decisions in a rush, but some choices didn't need a lot of contemplation.
My hand on Gina's stomach felt right. She gripped my wrist and shifted a little as she got more comfortable. Her sinuous movement had an instant effect on me and I knew she felt it, but playtime was coming up later.
Tonight I'd show her what it meant to put my all into loving her.
