“Probably in the spring or early summer.”
“I see.” He then decided to change the subject. She was well-versed in several topics, and he asked her opinion about the state of the economy. A short while later, when the music began playing, he stood and asked her to dance. It was a slow number, and he wanted to feel her in his arms.
He was very glad they were wearing masks. He had a feeling she might have been recognized otherwise. Not as Elijah Tyson’s daughter but as the face of Vogue. Copies of the popular magazine seemed to be everywhere, including in the lodge.
She looked good in the outfit he’d picked up for her, and from the admiring looks she’d been receiving, he figured others thought so, too. She had been surprised that he had known her size, but why wouldn’t he? He’d kissed and touched her all over.
“Have I told you how nice you look tonight, Eden?”
She smiled. “Yes. More than once. I have to thank you for this dress. I’m surprised you didn’t think it was too short.”
“You wore a long coat.”
“I’m not wearing one now,” she told him.
“No,” he said, grinning. “You’re with me, and I love seeing you in outfits that showcase your legs. They are beautiful.”
“Thank you, Drew.”
They danced to several more songs, and he suddenly wished he could hold her in his arms all night. When the MC indicated that it was close to midnight and everyone should return to their table for their glasses of champagne, Drew took her hand in his and led her back to where they had been sitting. They sipped their champagne as the counting began.
“Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven, Six. Five. Four. Three, Two. One. Happy New Year!”
Popping sounds could be heard around the room, and disco lights flashed as the band began playingAuld Lang Syne. Drew took hold of Eden’s hand and led her down a short hall, then he turned to open a door with a key. She thought it was a closet until he turned on the lights. It was an empty storage room. They removed their masks, and then he pulled her into his arms. “Happy New Year, Eden.”
“Happy New Year to you, too, Drew.”
He leaned forward and covered her mouth with his own-kissing her more thoroughly and possessively than he’d ever kissed anyone else. And before he put her on the plane, he intended to kiss her several more times. But right now, there was just her, him…and this kiss. And he knew it would forever be stored in the depths of his memory, whether he wanted it to be or not.
**
Drew and Eden held hands as they walked through Atlanta’s airport. Unsurprisingly, it was busy with holiday travelers. Eden told herself that she would not cry, and she wouldn’t. Not in front of him anyway. She figured she wouldn’t be able to hold anything back once she got on the plane and took her seat, though. How could she say goodbye to the man she loved? She was wearing a disguise-a blond wig and brown contacts.
“You have the phone number to my house and office, right, Eden?”
She glanced over at him. “Yes, and you have the one to my flat, right?”
“Yes.”
Amélie had found a flat for Eden that included a phone. Eden had shared that number with Drew and hoped he would call to see how she was doing sometime. “I know you’ll be busy expanding your business, but please take care of yourself.”
“I will. You take care of yourself, as well. And remember, your body needs more than just granola bars and water. You look great, and any photographer who says otherwise needs their eyes examined.”
She chuckled. “I’ll remember that.”
When they reached the plane’s door, they stood aside as others boarded. They had spent all of New Year’s Day in bed, only getting up to eat. They had watched movies, and wheneverhe had held out his arms to her, she had come to him. “I’m going to miss you, Drew.”
“I will miss you as well.”
Although they had exchanged phone numbers, he had not promised to stay in touch. Neither had she, although more than anything, she wished they would. However, she knew Drew Steele wasn’t the settling-down type. It was who he was, and she knew he would never change. Not even for her.
When it was time for her to get on the plane, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When he released her, he said, “Promise me you will take care of yourself, Eden.”
“I promise. And thanks again for everything. Especially this,” she said, touching the necklace around her neck. “I will cherish it always, Drew.” She then leaned up on tiptoe and brushed a kiss on his lips before turning to rush toward the plane, intentionally not saying goodbye to the man she loved.
CHAPTER 17
Seven months later
