“It shouldn’t be,” I admitted. “I left too much damage in my wake.”
She took my hand, and as I dropped my eyes to it, I saw the ring on her finger. A sign that she had faith in where this was going. Faith again in me. I rubbed my thumb over it, lookingforward to the day I could move it to the correct finger and add a band to it.
“I suppose we were both damaged,” she mumbled, and my eyes jumped to hers. “And now we can heal together.”
Lush strands of ebony encased my fingers as I drew her to me. Our mouths met in a kiss that had a torrent of wings flapping in my stomach. Her hands on my chest sent them rising so that it almost felt like this was our first kiss, a sensation I experienced every time I kissed Tori. Like we were young and in love, experiencing all our firsts and treasuring each one.
A knock on my door had us jumping apart, and I hated that we had to keep what we had a secret. I still wasn’t sure what kind of conflict the CEO involved with his CFO presented, but I was certain it wasn’t a good one.
The door opened just as Tori was smoothing her hand over her hair.
Our assistant, Sean, came in but stopped, his eyes darting between us. He shook his head, his grin entirely too large.
“Did you need something, Sean?” I asked, having worked with him long enough to read that look.
“Just bringing notes for your ten o’clock.” He brought them to my desk.
“I should go,” Tori said. “I’ll have that report to you by end of day.”
“No need to go on my account,” Sean said. “It’s about time you two dealt with that tension. It’s enough to burn the floor down.”
He gave us a wink, and I tried not to react, scowling at him.
“We were discussing the restructure,” I snapped. “Not that it makes a difference.”
“Whatever you want to call it, boss. Just as long as it doesn’t heat this place up anymore.”
“Leave, Sean.”
He laughed on his way out, mumbling about turning the air conditioner on. I pinched my brow, peeking at Tori, who wore an amused smile.
“I let him get away with too much.”
“Nah, he’s perfect for dealing with you.” She straightened my tie, easing her hand down to follow its path. “Do you want to watch the second movie with us tonight? I’m sure Reid will spend the entire plane trip telling you about every car in it.”
“I’d love to. Should I bring the popcorn?”
Her smile warmed me to my core. “Definitely.” She gave me a peck on the cheek, her hand drifting over mine as she walked to the door. “Seven o’clock, Mr. Icinda. Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I rested against the desk as excitement danced with nerves, making it difficult to move. Another night with Tori and Reid. A full weekend with them. It sounded like heaven, save for the fact that I would have to face her family. There was no way that would go well, and I suspected I wouldn’t be welcome enough to do more than drop them off and pick them up.
Reid opened the door, his eyes growing large at the tub of movie theater popcorn in my hand.
“Whoa, is that for me?” he asked, his hands reaching up for it.
“Yup. Only the good stuff for movie two.”
I handed it to him and entered the suite. “Where’s your mom?”
“Right here.” Tori’s head popped up from behind the counter in the kitchen. Her black hair was piled on her head, messystrands sticking out in different directions. She had a band T-shirt on that was splashed with globs of strawberry.
I walked over to her and wiped a pink splotch from her cheek. “Rough night?” I asked, glancing at the mess on the floor.
“Something like that.” She grabbed more paper towels and returned to the floor. Taking a handful, I joined her. “I was trying to make strawberry milkshakes, but the blender went wonky on me.”
I picked up the lid that must have flown off during the incident, studying it. “Is this the same blender I bought you?”
