“Yeah.” She exhaled quickly. “Yeah. We’ve got this.” I wasn’t entirely convinced she believed it, but it was a start.
I linked our hands as we made our way down the path that led to the front of the resort. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. We were almost to the main entrance when she stopped me.
She glanced around then pressed up on her tiptoes. When she spoke, her voice was low even though no one was around, apart from a few hotel employees. And they didn’t seem to be paying us any attention. “What about PDA? We don’t usually touch so much at home.”
“Is this okay?” I asked, rubbing my thumb over the back of her hand.
She nodded. “Yes, but maybe we need a code word or something. You know—to discreetly check in or whatever.”
I thought about it for a moment. Then I said, “What about a signal?” I tapped my finger twice against her hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Good idea.” She seemed to relax a little then gave me two taps in response. “I’m good.”
Two taps to check in. And two taps in response meant all was well.Easy.
“And if we need to slow down or stop?” she asked.
“We need a word,” I said. “Something that might not ordinarily come up during conversation but is easy to remember. Maybe…Penny?”
“Penny?” she asked. “Like the coin?”
“Or one of your favorite authors.” I rubbed the back of my neck.
She dipped her head. “I like that.”
“I’ve got you.” I tucked her hair behind her ear, savoring the fact that I could touch her so freely. “You know that, right?” I cupped her cheek. If I moved a few inches closer, we’d be kissing.
She searched my eyes before she nodded. “I know. You’re always there for me.”
I rested my forehead against hers. “Always,” I vowed, moving my hand so that I was cupping the back of her neck.
I was so damn close to closing the remaining distance and kissing her. But at the last minute, I pulled back and pressed my lips to her forehead instead. I didn’t want our first kiss to be under the guise of a fake relationship. When I kissed Bryn, I wanted her to know it was real.
So, for now, I’d continue to be patient.
She was important to me. She waseverythingto me.
We met the others out in front of the resort, where a small bus was waiting. I hung back, following Bryn up the steps, my hand on her lower back. Inside, the champagne was already flowing. Allie was holding a microphone and wearing a white top hat with a veil. She introduced everyone as they stepped onto the bus like an emcee at the Hawks game.
“Next up is my beautiful sister, my bridesmaid,” Allie said in a dramatic, booming voice over the mic. “Bryn!” Everyone cheered. “And her handsome date, Frasier.”
Allie winked at me. Kit stood by Allie’s side, wearing his own black top hat. Her lipstick was already smeared on his cheek, and I’d attended enough parties as a young hockey player to know that we were in for one hell of a night.
Bryn sank down on one of the seats, and I joined her, wedging in close. She linked our hands, surprising me even more when she rested our clasped hands on her bare thigh. I blinked at her and then remembered why we were there.
Right. Our audience.
I could feel Allie’s eyes on us, and it was time to put on a show.
I switched which hand was holding Bryn’s so I could drape my arm over her shoulder, loving the way she nestled into my side. She smelled so damn good, and I was aware of every singleplace we touched, aware of the warmth of her skin. I pressed my lips to her temple, aching to explore more of her.
I double tapped her shoulder, and she double tapped my thigh, smiling up at me, eyes sparkling with mischief.
I knew that look. That look had led to countless acts of daring. Like the night she’d convinced Derek and me to strip down to our underwear with her so we could all swim in a fountain on campus. Or the time she’d persuaded Derek and me to sneak her into the rink after hours.
I hadn’t seen that look in a long time. Not since well before Derek’s death. Not since college, really.
And even though I knew it meant trouble, I found myself smiling.
