Duke was about to make a comment of his own when Vivi stepped around the corner and into view. Talk about stunning. The soft tresses of her long, wavy hair accented the slender shape of her arms and the lovely curve of her hips.
She was beautiful from bottom to top, but it was that confident gleam in her eye that made Duke’s heart jump every time. He blew out a whistle. “I am one lucky guy,” he said.
“You can say that again,” mumbled her father from his chair. “Just what time are you kids going to be home?”
“Oh, stop,” Anna said with a laugh. The woman hurried over to Vivi and took hold of the chain around her neck. “The clip has slipped clear to the locket,” she said. “Make a wish and I’ll put it right.”
Viv glanced down to take hold of the chain. Duke knew what was coming next; it was something she’d done while they were in college too. She closed her eyes for a blink, gave the locket and clip a kiss, then spun the chain until the clip was behind her neck where it belonged.
“There you go,” her mom said. “Now let’s get some pictures.”
“Mom,” Vivi groaned. “I feel like I’m back in high school.”
“It’s just a few pictures,” Anna promised, shooing them to go stand by the door.
Viv bumped Duke in the arm. “I think they’re doing pictures at the gala, aren’t they?”
Duke considered that. “Probably, but we can still pose for these too.” He placed a hand on the small of Viv’s back and smiled at Anna’s phone camera.
“Thank you, Duke,” the woman said after tipping the phone from one angle to the next. “Okay, you guys have fun.”
Duke grinned. It reallydidfeel like they were back in their youth with Viv’s parents there to snap photos and see them off.
“Bye, Mom and Duke,” Diego said, rushing in to give Vivi a hug.
Dante did the same. “Have fun guys.” The boys did the special handshake with Duke once more before waving them off as well.
“Be good for Grandma and Grandpa,” Viv called over her shoulder.
And then they were off.
At the car, Duke held open the door for her and took her hand as she climbed in. It wasn’t until he was settled behind the wheel that he spoke up once more. “Thisdoesfeel like prom,” he admitted.
“Right?” Viv gave him a wide-eyed look of appreciation. “It’s trippy.”
Duke nodded and reached for her hand. “Guess it’s my second chance to do this right.” He turned over the key, revved up the engine, and spun the car around on the quiet street.
Duke had meant what he’d said; this did, in some ways, feel like his second chance at the night he blew so long ago. The trouble was, despite the fact that he’d asked the right woman this time around, there was still potential for things to go awry. He’d need to keep his guard up just in case.
* * *
Viv lifted her glass and reached it toward the center of the banquet table. Beneath a set of glistening lights, a dozen other glasses waited.
“Here’s to Duke finally asking out the right woman,” James razzed.
“To a dance, no less,” Betzy added.
Chuckles lifted over the group. “Right,” Duke said through a grin. “And here’s to Dad and Grandpa Benton, whose legacies live on through not only us, but in scholarship programs throughout the next generation.”
Warmth stirred in Viv’s heart as the group clinked their glasses one by one. “Cheers.”
Betzy leaned in from across the table and leveled a look at Viv. “Good thing Sylvia’s been behaving herself,” she said with a nod.
Viv followed Betzy’s gaze to see the woman making the rounds at a nearby table. Trailing a hand along one man’s shoulder while cupping the chin of an older gentlemen seated next to him. Sylvia’s gown was bright red and shimmering, like the dress she’d tried on at the boutique, but she’d selected a different cut. One that plunged extra low at the neckline, especially when she leaned over, as she was doing before the table of men.
“She’s drunk,” Camila said.
Viv’s eyes widened as she glanced back to the group. “She is?”
