Well, now. That was unexpected and had me flustered, and there was no doubt he’d caught the attention of every member of my family in attendance. “Thank you, Connor.” I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the fact all the Bells and Silvers were standing and watching the conversation. “You look… great.”
Before I could say anything more, we were ushered to the family table, where we found ourselves sitting close to each other. Whoever had thought to place Connor with us had my thanks, though it wasn’t so long ago I would have thought otherwise.
Amazing how fast things changed. Maybe it just took a freezer to get a different perspective.
Red dresses didn’t hurt, either.
We both received numerous compliments on the candy and the cake, with one guest even stopping next to our table to comment on what a great team we made, and we should think about merging our creations again in the future.
Connor leaned over to me while I struggled with that suggestion, his breath warm against my ear. “Maybe we should just call off the bet?”
I was taken aback for a moment, having almost forgotten about the silly wager we had made. I was about to respond when Connor surprised me again.
“Would you like to dance?” He was already standing up, reaching his hand out for mine, voice soft but firm, cutting through the din of the reception.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. “I—what?” I stammered, feeling like I’d been glued to my seat.
Connor’s eyes met mine, a mixture of hope and vulnerability in his gaze as he waited for me to take his offered hand. “Ivy Bell,” he said, “I want you to dance with me.”
A slow smile spread across my face as I shook off the nerves that held me in my seat and I found myself nodding as I placed my hand in his. “I’d love to.”
When I stood and joined him, making our way to the dance floor, the awkwardness began to melt away. The music was soft and melodic, and as Connor wrapped his arm around my waist, I felt a sense of warmth and comfort return, familiar now thanks to our mutual huddle in the cold freezer. This was much more enjoyable, though. We swayed gently to the music, the world and the other couples around us fading into the background.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while,” Connor admitted quietly, his eyes never leaving mine.
He had? Did that mean I wasn’t the only one who’d felt the connection between us, despite how dismally our first interactions had gone?
None of that mattered now. Not while Connor held me close. Never mind the fact I could barely think, let alone breathe. Good thing no words were needed, then.
As for the bet, any sense of competition had vanished into the glorious night by the time that first song was over… and we just continued dancing into the second song.
25
Ididn’t realize how silent we’d both been until the third dance ended and the beat picked up, a faster song encouraging the crowd to enjoy themselves. That didn’t sway Connor from continuing to keep me close, though. “You look beautiful tonight, Ivy.” If anything, he pulled me closer, one arm still around my waist. “Red is… a lovely color on you.”
Even though I could feel the heat in my face, I smiled. “Thank you. And can I just say ‘wow’ on the kilt? Nice touch.”
Connor chuckled. “Thank you. While I grew up in America, my father and mother both were born in Scotland, and I have a lot of family there. I spent most summers in Inverness, near the Highlands.” He shrugged casually but with a sexiness to the movement that had my heart fluttering all over again “I have a few kilts in my closet, thanks to the MacDowell family tree.”
“Better than having a few skeletons,” I joked.
Connor laughed. “I suppose it is, but my family probably has those, too.”
“Most do,” I said, then added, “I can sometimes hear it in your voice,” I said. “Your brogue.” He grinned at that. “Obviously when you call me lass. But I can hear it other timesas well.” I smiled up at him. “Like when you get that growly thing going on when you talk to me. When you’re exasperated.”
“I don’t growl,” he growled mockingly, but matching the tone exactly. “That’s Angus.”
I giggled, knowing a few heads turned in our direction but not caring for once. “You do too growl. And you do this as well.” I furrowed my brow, then pinched my lips together and did my best to mimic his scowl.
He threw back his head and laughed. “I donotlook like that!”
“Wanna bet?” My attempt to keep scowling didn’t last long.
“I thought you’d have learned your lesson on that, lass.” He winked at me. “Or should we wager again?”
I was saved from answering when the faster song ended, only to be replaced by an even more enthusiastic one, a large group surging onto the dance floor to stomp and clap in appreciation.
Connor, however, didn’t seem inclined. “Let’s take a walk outside. Get some fresh air.”
