The startled awareness in her green eyes tugged at my soul. “Okay.”
She giggled when I lifted her high enough so that I could duck under the swing. Then I took advantage of the next few minutes to get her used to my touch under the innocent guise of pushing her—using her hips and lower back instead of the seat or chains each time she swung in my direction. She surprised a laugh out of me when she jumped off on the other side and landed on her feet. “Not sure I could’ve prevented an injury without a heads-up before you jumped.”
“Sorry.” Her cheeks turned pink as she ducked her head. “Harry had so much fun when he did it, I couldn’t resist.”
“No worries.” I strode over and pressed my finger under her chin. When she met my gaze, I reassured, “I’m glad you were enjoying yourself so much.”
“You’re the one who made today possible. Thanks so much for stepping up in such a big way for me.”
Her shy smile was so fucking cute, I couldn’t resist brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. “I don’t want your gratitude.”
She scrunched up her nose, and that wrinkled popped up in the bridge again. “What do you want?”
This time, I didn’t resist the urge to stroke my finger over her nose before I replied, “A chance with you.”
7
MELISANDE
Iwasn’t sure how I’d expected Devon to answer, but it definitely wasn’t by saying that he wanted a shot with me. He could probably have his pick of just about any woman, and he was interested in me for some reason. I didn’t get it, but I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Not after the perfect day I’d just had. For once in my life, I was going to throw caution to the wind when it came to a guy. “Would you like to stay in Portland for an extra day? I could show you some of the sights.”
“I’d love that.” His answering smile had those butterflies swarming in my belly again.
I’d originally planned to stay in Portland for the weekend, but I hesitated to ask Devon about waiting until tomorrow for the return flight because I didn’t want to overstep. He’d already done so much by flying me out here, so it hadn’t felt right to ask him to waste another day. But knowing he wanted to spend time with me made all the difference. Unfortunately, I’d been planning to stay at my sister’s house, where space was at a premium. “You can have the guest bedroom, and I’ll bunk on the couch.”
“I have a better plan,” my sister called from the back porch. I should’ve known she’d be eavesdropping on us, but I’d been so focused on Devon that I hadn’t noticed her step outside. I glared at Ana over my shoulder, but that didn’t stop her from rushing over to us. “Remember Freddy?”
I didn’t know where she was going with this, but I didn’t have much choice but to play along since I recognized the gleam in her eyes—she wasn’t going to stop until she got whatever she wanted. That didn’t mean I couldn’t give her a bit of a hard time, though. “Uh, yeah. Of course, I remember Freddy. He’s been Harry’s best friend for more than half his life and just left like fifteen minutes ago.”
Ana laughed off my sarcasm and turned her attention to Devon. “Anyway, Freddy’s mom is the general manager of a five-star hotel downtown, and she wanted to do something nice for you. She’s holding a suite for the two of you for tonight, on the house. She said it’s a gesture of gratitude for flying Mel out here to make Harry’s birthday wish come true.”
I narrowed my eyes, not buying her explanation. “Freddy’s mom, who didn’t even come inside when she dropped her son off to the party, is giving Devon a free suite at a swanky hotel because she wanted to show her thanks? In the form of a room that probably goes for at least five hundred bucks a night? And you didn’t have anything to do with this completely random, grand gesture?”
Ana widened her eyes and pressed her hand on her chest over her heart, trying her best to look innocent. But when I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my toe against the ground, she huffed, “Fine, I might have asked if she could score you guys a room.”
“You guys?” I echoed, uncrossing my arms so I could point at myself. “Now I’m staying at the hotel with Devon?”
She tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows. “Did I forget to mention that the room is a two-bedroom suite? There will be plenty of room for both of you.”
I wished I could say that I couldn’t believe my sister was putting me in such an awkward position, but not much she did would surprise me anymore. The only weapon I had against her deviousness was guilt, so I decided to go with that. Jutting my bottom lip out in a tiny pout, I asked. “Are you being so pushy because you don’t want me to stay here with you guys?”
Unfortunately for me, Ana wasn’t going to be put off that easily. “You know that you’re always more than welcome in my home.”
“Then why are—”
That’s as far as she let me get before thrusting a piece of paper toward Devon. “Ignore my sister. Logic will eventually overcome her shyness, and she’ll see the advantage of staying downtown instead of being out here in the suburbs. That’ll save you guys a ton of time while you're playing tourist and also when you need to head to the airport. The room is under your name, and the address is on here.”
“Thank you.” He accepted the note from Ana before turning toward me. “Going to a hotel is actually a good solution since there’s no way in hell I’d be okay with you giving up your bed for me to sleep on a couch. And like your sister said, we’ll be closer to the tourist sites and the plane.”
I wasn’t sure what to think about how quickly he jumped on board with Ana’s plan, but a little thrill of excitement went through me at the idea of being alone with him. Along with a healthy dose of fear since we’d be sharing a hotel room, even if it was a two-bedroom suite. Not that either of them gave me a chance to share what I was thinking since my sister ran with her idea as soon as he agreed. Less than fifteen minutes later—after I kissed all over Harry—she practically shoved us out the door.
“Well, that wasn’t awkward at all,” I mumbled as Devon backed the rental car out of their driveway.
“If you’re not comfortable with sharing a suite, I can get another room when we check in,” he offered.
“How are you still single?” My cheeks filled with heat as soon as I realized what had just popped out of my mouth. But seriously, the question begged to be answered.
He glanced at me, his lips curving into a grin before he returned his attention to the road. “I could ask you the same question.”
