Peter grinned at him and said something under his breath and the two of them laughed at one of their inside jokes.
Peter’s gaze flicked over the crowd, and he spotted Vivien and held her gaze just long enough for her to know…they may not need that talk after all. Some things didn’t need to be said out loud.
After accepting a few more accolades for the arrest, he came over to Vivien and lowered himself onto the blanket next to her, the firelight catching his warm expression.
“Hey,” he said. “Hope that didn’t upset you.”
She chuckled. “Did a number on my hormones.”
Laughing, he put an arm around her and pulled her a little closer. “We got the goods on that guy, and he won’t be sniffing around the bridge for a while. Kudos to you, Natalie,” he added to the other woman a few feet away. “Youdolove the history of this place.”
“It fascinates me,” Natalie said with a smile, looking up at the shadow of the bridge in the darkness. “Although I’ve never jumped and let go.”
“Then start us off,” Peter said. “Surely you have something to let go of.”
She gave a wistful smile and stood, walking toward the bridge just as Roman and Lacey leaped to follow.
“We’re giving up the single life!” she called.
Peter snuggled closer, giving Vivien a delicious whiff of soap and his cologne.
“You showered before the jump into the water?” she asked, leaning into him.
“I smelled…and not like teen spirit.”
She laughed. “That was the song Dusty played when we were sixteen and jumped.”
“I know.”
Inching back, she frowned. “You weren’t here. You were watching the four hundredth sequel toLethal Weapon.”
“Don’t knock it. Where do you think I learned the slick cop moves? And, yes, we were here.”
“No,” she insisted. “You and Eli were watching the movie and we came alone. Donotquestion the veracity of my diaries.”
“I don’t question the diaries, but I do question your ability to know when you’re being trailed. You think Eli and I were going to sit on our butts watching a movie when our girls were out in the dark with the likes of Dustin Mathers?”
She didn’t know whether to laugh or be aghast. “Youfollowedus?”
“Of course. I saw you jump. Made sure you got out and home okay.” He closed the tiny bit of space between them, ignoring the cheer that went up when Roman and Lacey splashed in the water. “We beat you home, had a beer on the beach, and you lied and said you didn’t let go of anything.”
Now shewasaghast. “How do you know I lied?”
“Because I can read your eyes, Vivien Lawson. I know what you gave up then, and I know what you gave up two months ago.”
She stared at him. “You.”
He angled his head, his dark eyes glittering. “And now I think you need to let go of letting go of me.”
Oh. He was so right. She dropped her head back and looked toward the first few twinkling stars, not bothering to argue.
“Ready?” he asked, rising and reaching for her hand.
“Our turn!” Dusty and Tessa scooped up Olive and carried her to the very lowest rung of the ladder up the bridge. The two of them stood in knee-deep waves, holding her to help her jump.
“Let go, Olive Oyl!” Tessa cried. “Life is about to change!”
The little girl had no idea what it meant, but she jumped into Dusty’s arms and called out, “Again! Again!” While the happy couple let her jump over and over, Meredith and Connor stayed deep in conversation.
