“I…don’t have to if you need help.”
We both knew the staff was handling everything, but if that meant she’d stay, I’d happily go along with the ruse. I knew I shouldn’t, but I wanted a few more moments with her. Alone.
“Great, let me get MJ down and I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, then walked into the living room, picked up a few dishes, and brought them into the kitchen for the staff. It was clear she wouldn’t stop helping until I returned.
“Hmm, not ready to go to bed yet,” MJ mumbled, rousing as I hurriedly changed her into her pajamas in her room.
“Way past your bedtime, kiddo. I love you,” I replied as she scooted down under her comforter. Popping her hands up before I got off the bed, she made her signature heart with her fingers, her eyes still closed. I kissed her head and turned off her lamp.
When I returned to the living room, Vicky was nowhere to be seen. That’s when I heard her giggle, her voice low in the backyard. Standing in the open glass doorway, I watched as she stood mesmerized by the fireflies that had returned for a late-night drink of nectar. I turned off the string lights, shrouding her in darkness.
She gasped and turned toward the house, smiling when she saw me.
“So you can see them better,” I answered, slowly walking back her. I loved that her attention was now on me. The lights from the large lanterns strewn around the yard illuminated her beautiful face. We weren’t in total darkness, but the lack of bright lighting overhead had definitely changed the mood.
“I love watching them,” she said, her gaze sliding back to the fireflies. “I wonder if their sole purpose on earth is to bring light?”
“That could very well be so. I know that’s at least one of the God-given purposes of a few people I know,” I answered, measuring my words carefully.
Moving to stand close by her side, she turned and looked into my eyes. “Really? Who?”
Smiling widely, I answered, “MJ.” My answer made her smile as well.
“That’s very true. My prayer is that nothing ever extinguishes that light. She’s a very special girl.”
“Yeah, she is.” She turned back away until I said, “You.”
Without looking at me, she took a breath in and whispered, “Me?”
“Yes. You also bring light wherever you go. Your smile lights up a room. Your ideas, your talents fill a home with warmth. You’re also very special.”
“Are, are youflirtingwith me, Miles Austin?” I could hear the smile in her words.
You have no idea, Victoria Lazzara.
“You’re getting the hang of it,” I answered.
We sat in silence for several beats. “Iwantto. I just don’t know if I should.”
She nodded her head but said nothing. The tense silence around us lasted until she whispered loudly, pointing her finger. “Look! There’s more of them.” She was gesturing at a group of fireflies that danced to music we couldn’t hear. The wind blew the hem of her dress, making her smooth it down.
When she dropped her hand, her cool fingers brushed against mine, once again sending shockwaves up my arm from the spark. Summoning courage I didn’t know I had, I stretched my fingers out so they grazed her hand that hung by her side.
I could hear her breathing increase, matching mine. Finally doing what I’d wanted to since the other night, I moved my hand closer until our palms touched. Her soft fingers intertwined with mine, fitting perfectly as if they’d always belonged there.
We stood in that moment, her musky jasmine fragrance wrapping around me like the warmth of a fire on a cold evening. The thought brought back the memory of her a few nights earlier as I held my sleeping daughter in my arms while Vicky kissed her goodnight.
When I turned to face her, pink colored her perfect cheeks. She peeked up at me from under those thick dark lashes. When they lifted, her eyes were wide and expectant.
I wanted to kiss this woman, but I wouldn’t if she wasn’t willing for me to be her first kiss. This was a precious gift, one she had waited all these years to share. I knew I wasn’t nearly good enough to deserve it.
But, oh, how I wanted it.
There was no use denying it anymore. I wanted to be her first kiss and herlastkiss. The idea of it pressed on my heart with such force that I was afraid to breathe and miss this moment.
I leaned toward her and watched her swallow. She was nervous. I was nervous too as if it were my first kiss. My eyes moved from hers to her mouth, which parted in anticipation. When her eyes dipped to my lips, my skin buzzed like static.
