“Thank you,” he said. “Here’s what I’d like to do.” A spark of excitement crept in as he pictured the perfect atmosphere for a dinner with Viv. He motioned for the couple to follow him as he made his way through the breakfast nook. From the far corner, they could look out over the covered patio.
“It’s nice outside now. And the sun will be going down soon. I’d like to have it on the deck out there. Light the torches lining the banister, and the saucers in the pool too.”
“Oh, that’s romantic.” Irene rubbed her hands together. “Fires are so pretty, especially when they’re reflecting off the water.”
A wave of confidence washed in at the woman’s approval. He gave them further instruction regarding the stoneware and matching, rustic flatware as an idea came to mind. A way he could make use of the couple’s hard work.
Once they had a good grasp on what he wanted, Duke gave them one final piece of instruction. “Leave the other table setting up for now. I’ll make good use of it tomorrow. Can you and Irene be here around five?”
The couple nodded.
“Great.” When he got Sebastian alone, Duke would give him one final request:Dress nice and come hungry. The couple’s anniversary was coming up, after all. He’d bring in a caterer and let them enjoy a meal at the table setting they’d put their love and labor into. One that would make Irene, as she’d said, feel like a queen.
With that thought settled into his mind, Duke turned his attention to another matter. His date with Vivi. His skin seemed to ignite at the thought.
He actually had a date with Vivi tonight. It was hard to believe. Had someone told Duke that his interview withSlipper Magazinewould land him in Costa Rica with the woman who got away, he’d have agreed to do the feature a long time ago.
But he was here now. And Viv was too. He planned to make the very most of that. The same way he’d made the most of their moment outside the botanical center.
The stakes had been raised and Duke knew it. Vivi was a mother now. She’d be all the more guarded because of it. For good reason.
He could hardly believe she’d been single all this time. Raising twin boys, no less. Duke and his twin, Zander, gave their mom a real run for her money when they were young. It gave him a whole new level of admiration for who Vivia Tripoli was now. Not only was she an accomplished writer, she was a single mother too. A confident, high-spirited, and sexy one at that.
He nodded as he considered the details he’d requested for tonight’s dinner. Hopefully, they could keep making forward steps in their relationship. Ones that would somehow, despite their differences, continue once they got back to LA as well.
Chapter 13
Viv snatched her phone off the side table and reread her recent exchange.
Viv:What should I wear tonight?
Duke:That’s a loaded question. Is this part of the interview?
Viv:Nope.
Duke:Fine. Semi causal. Think back to our second date.
She set the phone back in place, blew out a pursed breath, and eyed her reflection. After agonizing over her limited options, she’d opted for a black cotton sundress with pumps to match.
She was pleased with the overall look of the outfit. It was sleek, simple, and just right for an evening dinner with her billionaire ex. She hoped.
Duke had told her dinner would be at 6:30, which was just a few minutes away according to the small bedside clock. While talking to the boys and her parents just moments ago, Viv had kept the camera on the view from her patio, allowing them to watch the sun set in Costa Rica.
The sight was breathtaking. And hopefully, a big enough distraction that Mom wouldn’t notice that Viv was all done up for a night out. Well, in.
Of course, in the end Viv did turn the camera on herself to say her last goodbyes to the boys and blow them kisses. If her mom had noticed her freshly done makeup and hair, or the black sundress at her shoulders, she hadn’t mentioned it.
Viv wasn’t keeping it a secret, per se, but she wasn’t ready to discuss the potential between them with her parents just yet, especially with the twins in their presence. Better to just test things out, see where they went, and cross that bridge when and if they came to it.
6:27—the mere sight of that time caused an anxious flutter to stir in her tummy. One that summoned a thought that had run through her mind a hundred times at least.He kissed me.
The thought had her lifting a hand, tracing a finger over her lips, and sighing aloud like a schoolgirl. For a kiss so short lived, it sure had a lasting effect.
Of course, that’s how it had always been with Duke. He, more than anyone else, could set her skin ablaze with his mesmerizing gaze alone. But his touch—the way he’d gently cradled her neck, outlined the hollow of her throat…
A small tap sounded from the door, interrupting her musings in a blink. She darted a look at the clock. 6:30 sharp.
“Vivi?”
