Colin stared at her, and she had to fight against the urge to squirm.
"You're a virgin."
"Yes." She worked hard to keep her voice steady even though admitting this made her feel horribly inadequate as a woman. "Will that be a problem?"
"Women who've made it to forty without intimacy don't typically sign up to marry strangers."
Hope's eyes widened at his perception. "I never said I hadn't been kissed."
Colin's mouth curved slightly. "Your reaction on the plane said it for you."
The memory of that kiss flooded back, making Hope's lips tingle anew. "I've been kissed before. Just not... like that."
"Like what?"
Hope searched for words that wouldn't reveal too much. "Like it mattered."
Something shifted in Colin's expression—a flicker of vulnerability quickly masked. He picked up his wine glass, breaking the intensity of the moment.
"The reunion is in two weeks. We should discuss how to prepare. What do you know of Princess?"
Hope chose her words with care. "She was our school's golden girl. Homecoming queen. Prom queen. The girl everyone wanted to date or befriend."
His gaze narrowed. "Our school?"
She nodded. "I was—"
"Don't tell me. I finally remember. You're the valedictorian. You graduated a few years after us."
"Two to be exact."
"How did you end up studying in our school?"
"Edith was friends with the principal. They offered me a scholarship. Free board and lodging. In return, my free hours were spent helping out however way I can."
A flicker of recognition crossed Colin's face. "I remember another thing. I often see you taking care of the cats in the school yard."
Hope could only nod. She had never imagined he had noticed her in any way back then. But whether that meant something in the long run...she didnt want to think of as well.
"This should be a lot easier then," Colin said after a moment. "You already know my history with her."
"I don't know anything about what happened after, though. Were you still together in college?"
"No." Colin's voice was curt. "I promised Princess I'd make something of myself. She didn't believe me. She wanted what was already guaranteed, so she ended up marrying Roland."
The school quarterback,Hope thought, recognizing the name. And another thing she recognized? The hardened expression on Colin's handsome features. It told her that Princess' rejection still stung, even when twenty-five years had already passed.
"Tell me more about the reunion itself." Hope decided it was time to change the subject, and she saw that this was the right thing to do when Colin visibly relaxed in his seat.
"Three days of events. Cocktail mixer the first night. Golf tournament and dinner the second day. Formal gala the third evening."
Hope's stomach dropped. "I don't know how to play golf."
"You won't need to. That's primarily for the men. The wives usually spend the day at the spa."
"And the formal gala? I don't have anything suitable."
"We'll take care of that tomorrow. I've arranged for a stylist to bring options to the house."
