Lillith had her hand tucked under his arm, her smile so free. “This is my friend Rynna I was telling you about. She’s the one who inherited Pepper’s Pies across the street from the new hotel.”
Broderick’s face lit. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I was hoping you would choose to reopen rather than sell. Pepper’s Pies has an important history in Gingham Lakes, and I know it’ll remain the same in the future. If there’s anything you need to help with the process, please, don’t hesitate to let me know.” Even though his words could have been used in a boardroom to sell his next biggest idea, there was a distinct tone of sincerity woven into them.
“It’s nice to meet you, as well. And I will definitely keep that in mind. Thank you for the offer.”
Broderick looked around the room. “I’m a firm believer Gingham Lakes’s revitalization belongs to all of us. We’re all responsible for coming together to make it a better place for all residents.”
Lillith pushed her cheek into his arm, as if she were overcome by her love for him, and he pressed the softest kiss to the top of her head.
My heart throbbed, and I couldn’t help but glance at Rex, drawn to this man who stood stoically at my side.
Broderick gestured to the room. “Dinner should be served in a few minutes. Why don’t we all find a place to sit so we can enjoy ourselves?”
As he led us over to a large round table where we all took seats together, Broderick worked the room, welcoming the rest of his guests and inviting them to take a seat. Dinner was served, and we ate and drank and laughed. Lillith and Nikki made it easy to fit in, and it even seemed as if Rex might. Even though there was some part of him that remained reserved.
Afterward, Broderick stood and asked if he could have a word with Rex.
“Excuse me for a minute?” he asked.
“Of course,” I told him.
Lillith was in deep conversation with a couple at the next table, and Nikki made an excuse to head downstairs, undoubtedly to find Ollie.
I went to the bar and ordered another glass of wine then wandered out onto the balcony, drawn to the view.
It was quiet, the air still warm, though it’d cooled with the night, and a slight breeze added to the peace in the air. A blanket of stars opened up the vast canopy that stretched on forever above, and I inhaled the scents of the city, the honeysuckle and the river and old buildings.
Home.
I got lost in it, in the soft music that fell on my ears and the peace that radiated back from the city I’d tried to forget I loved.
I jumped when the breath landed on my bare shoulder. “I’m sorry I ditched you.”
A small smile tugged at my mouth, and I glanced over my shoulder at the gorgeous man standing right behind me. “I understand. It’s a work party.”
“I’d rather be hanging out with you.”
Butterflies.
Was that normal? It didn’t matter. They were there, fluttering at my insides, whipping and stirring and inciting. I slowly turned to face him. “I’d rather be hanging out with you, too.”
A soft gust of wind blew through, soft lashes at the longer pieces of his hair, those hypnotizing eyes filled with so much turmoil and questions. He reached up and touched my cheek. “Rynna.”
Chills skated my spine.
The band had shifted songs, and strains of an acoustic guitar filled the air. The scruffy voice of the same singer who’d played the last time I was there rode on the breeze. He was singing “Collide” by Howie Day. The lyrics grazed across my skin, eliciting a rash of goose bumps, the same as the callused fingertips that trailed down my arm.
The words spun around us, and slowly, Rex edged forward. His arm slid around my waist and pulled me against him.
His palm went to the small of my back, his thumb just brushing against the bare skin exposed by my dress, the other hand landing on my neck.
My entire world shook.
Slowly, we began to rock in the slowest kind of dance. Both mesmerized by the song and the feel and the overwhelming vibe, his heart thrumming in sync with mine. We were caught up in it, as if time had stopped, the two of us giving ourselves over to the moments that passed. I would have been content for it to go on forever.
He drew me closer, his nose running along the back of my ear. “You are so beautiful, Rynna,” he murmured. “So beautiful it fucking hurts to look at you.”
“Rex,” I whispered, my fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt.
