“Nah, they’re good kids.” He’d been with them all day so Molly and Rachel didn’t have to worry about the distraction. He’d even taken them rollerblading down on the asphalt drive—Ollie had talked nonstop about it through the reception.
She swallowed the toad that lodged in her throat at the realization she needed to thank Gavin for that. Ollie had had a fantastic time.
Was she willing to give him a hall pass for the years he skipped out? No. She wasn’t.
But he’d been there for Rachel—and for her today.
What was that? Up to three points now?
“I guess…I should…thank you,” she forced herself to say.
He ticked his head to the side in question, the edge of his styled hair brushing along his ear at the movement. Her fingertips itched to smooth the misplaced chunk of hair.
She bristled at the urge. He needed another haircut.
“I’m telling you thanks. For taking care of Ollie today,” she blurted. Then she gulped. “Thank you for taking care of him.”
There. Done. Didn’t kill her.
“You’re welcome. For taking care of Ollie today,” he said, carefully. “You’re welcome for taking care of him.”
Was he making fun of her? She squinted. No, the tone was light. Gavin was trying to be funny. Look at that.
“Do you want to dance?” Gavin asked.
She stilled, glanced around behind her.
Was he speaking to her?
There wasn’t anyone else within earshot, so it must’ve been her.
“Yes, I mean you,” Gavin said with a low rumble that could’ve been a chuckle or it could’ve been…she did not know.
“Me?” she asked, the need for confirmation urgent because in that moment you could’ve tipped her off of her chair with only the light from the disco ball. What, with the intensity of his brown eyes boring into her.
Dancing meant touching. And touching was a terrible idea because she’d probably end up strangling him. Then the police would have to come. It’d be a whole thing and would totally wreck Rachel’s happy day.
“Won’t your date mind?” she asked. Because surely he had a date here. Didn’t he have a date? Gavin was Gavin, so surely he had somebody here with him. Someone he probably didn’t set up with his friend in the middle of their date.
She scanned the room and racked her brain, but no; she hadn’t seen him with anyone but the kids.
He shook his head. “No date for me.”
“She decided at the last minute your teeth aren’t straight enough?” Molly asked because she wasstillMolly.
Gavin chuckled. “I’m on a break from all of that.” He leaned forward, barely touching her personal space. “And the orthodontist signed off on my straight teeth when I was fifteen.”
“All the women told you no, didn’t they?” she asked. “Bound to happen sometime, I guess.”
He gave a wry smile. “I didn’t give anyone the chance. I figured I’d fly solo for a while.”
“That’s very unlike you,” Molly said. Super unlike him, really.
“I decided after my engagement imploded that I needed to take some time to get to know myself.”
She waved him off, shaking her head. “That’s a bad idea.”
“Because I’m not likeable?” He asked the question with a debonaire smoothness that would’ve been endearing on anyone else.
