“Oh?” he asked.
“I mean, I’m face-to-face with your pecs. Let’s not pretend you don’t have—I mean, you know. You know how hot you are.”
He honest to God did not think she felt that way. Raffi took pride in his appearance, but Ani seemed, first, preoccupied with Kami, and when that abated, she seemed to be utterly focused on her work. And in their interactions, she called him out, joked with him in ways women he was attracted to didn’t. He thought it was possible she didn’t find him to be her cup of tea physically, which was fine. Not everyone did.
And now she was telling him howhothe was? Standing mere inches from him, his hands wound in her hair.
He decided to run his fingers through, all the way to the ends, and her eyes closed in what appeared to be pleasure. He wanted to do the same.
“Thank you,” he said softly. “I’ve never enjoyed a compliment more.”
“Stop,” she said, laughing.
He put a hand lightly on her shoulder. “I mean it. It feels truer, coming from you.”
A car drove behind them then, blasting an eighties ballad Raffi knew but had forgotten the name of, soundtracking their moment. He should kiss her, right? This was the moment. He could just lean in and touch his lips to hers.
Suddenly her eyes grew huge, huger than normal, which was quite a sight.
“The band!”
He stepped back, feeling the moment was over. He was also curious about what this important band was that could interrupt their quiet, private moment. “What band?”
She closed her eyes in embarrassment. “I can’t go home. Icompletely forgot. With all the, you know, near-death experiences and all. In a couple hours I was going to check out this band, The Six Intentions, for Kami and Grace. They’re supposed to be the best wedding band, but I wanted to see them play live to get their vibe. Music can make or break a wedding, especially one like our brides are planning. When I emailed, they said that they were playing an engagement party tonight and that the family said I was welcome to stop by and listen.”
Raffi smiled inwardly. Well, this could work, too.
“That’s perfect then.”
“No, it’s not, look at me!”
Raffi gestured toward his home. “You can do your eucalyptus bath and comfort movie here. I have everything you need to get ready.”
She still seemed a bit worried. “Yeah, but I don’t have anything to w—”
They looked at each other as she remembered.
“Yes, you do,” he said.
“Raffi, God. Did you have this planned?” She laughed.
“Did I make DePietro trip you into its ridiculous fountain? You were right, by the way, about the liability, and I’m never doubting your judgment again.”
She smiled, tucking her chin. “Fine, thank you. Okay. I’ll stay. But I’m going to wear my normal white dress, not the—”
“You can’t wear white to an engagement party.” Raffi laughed at himself. “Why am I the one tellingyouthis?”
Ani froze, eyes widening slightly as the realization hit. “Oh. Shoot. I—”
“Wear the Balmain.”
“I can’t—”
“Wear it,” he said gently. They stared at each other intensely. Then he added, “It’ll be perfect for the party. Assuming it fits. Doesn’t hurt to at least try.”
She did not break his gaze. “Fine, I’ll try it. Show me in.”
With that, Raffi scooped up the two dresses from the trunk in one hand, his wet shirt in the other, and led Ani toward his front door.
