“Just needed some fresh air.” I gesture to our surroundings. “It was getting overwhelming.”
“You and me both.” He smiles as he rounds the bench, stopping a few feet away from me. “Nate,” the no longer mysterious man says, his hand out to shake mine.
Even in heels, my neck cranes to accommodate his height, and I’m so transfixed by him that I ignore the gesture entirely.
The captivating green eyes. The dimples that jut out with his smile. The beauty mark below his lip that becomes more visible when he turns to scratch the back of his head. It’s a deadly combination of features. And if I’m not dying from murder, I just might from admiring this man for a second longer.
“Vivienne.” I place my hand in his, the handshake lingering as I continue to study him.
It must be weird to take in a stranger for this long, but there’s this air of familiarity to him. It’s like I’ve seen this man before—just with a lot more facial hair.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he says.
“Likewise.” My gaze sweeps over his face once more. “But I have to admit, I think we’ve met at some point.”
“Right?” he agrees. “You do look familiar. Though I did see you walking inside earlier.”
My brows quirk in surprise at the admission. “You saw me inside and couldn’t resist following me out?” I fake gasp in shock, hand over my chest.
I’m only teasing, and at Nate’s full-blown smile, I find myself mirroring his expression.
Not sure where the sudden surge of confidence comes from, but I don’t think about it too much. This is what I needed. To reinvent myself for the night. Step out of my comfort zone. And not dwell on the outcomes of my actions.
Nate’s eyes fall to the ground, cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink despite the darkness that engulfs us. “Not exactly, but if that story will help me get the girl, I’m all for it.”
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head in disbelief, never mind the smile that’s found a permanent place on my face. The man is a sweet talker, and I’m loving every bit of it. “Don’t tell me you do this with every woman you meet.”
Nate gives me a panty-dropping grin that oozes confidence. “Only the ones who catch my eye.”
I roll my eyes in amusement. “You’ll have to try again. I’ve heard that one before.”
Nate shrugs with a smile, and I take that opportunity to inspect him a little longer.
Green eyes.
Chiseled features.
Muscular arms.
The ribbon that binds my thoughts unravels, and the memories of earlier today come crashing back. Navy-blue suit. Red-soled loafers. Stubble. Any spark I may have felt for the man before me is smothered with a sharp hiss.
“You’re the guy who soaked my notebook with coffee earlier this morning!”
It’s an accusation,nota question, because I don’t need the confirmation. I knowexactlywho this man is, and the shock on his face suggests he recognizes me too.
Nate raises his hands in defense, while I step forward, shoving an accusatory finger in his chest.
“I swear on my spark-induced plane that I’m not the one who spilled—”
A high-pitched squawk erupts from across the garden. My head snaps in the direction of the monster-like sound, shock fusing every bone in my body as I make out what it is.
A goose.
A goddamn goose.
Its beak is wide open, and its beaded, angry eyes stare right at me.
The creature takes a step forward, and I recoil as another one of its ear-deafening screams erupts from its not-so-little body.
