“Hey, Vi?” Blake said as he pulled up beside her car.
“Hmm?”
“I thought you stayed away from guys like me, whatever that is.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she said and meant it. Smart or not, she’d moved beyond caution. “Not counting what happened shortly before we left the Highway Club, I had a great time tonight. Thanks for celebrating with me.”
She exited the car, and he followed suit. “What are you doing?” she asked and unlocked the Hyundai.
“I need a goodnight kiss, and we’re not doing that in the car.”
He lifted her up and hugged her close. Chest to chest, hip to hip. Delicious. “Mmm,” she said, pressing closer. When he set her down, letting go of him wasn’t easy. With reluctance, she stepped away. “Good night, Blake.”
“Night.” He stayed where he was until she buckled in and started the car.
CHAPTER 20
Vi was asleep and dreaming about steamy things featuring Blake and herself when the opening bars of “old time rock & roll” on her cell woke her up. She’d been so dazed from the night before that she’d forgotten to put the phone in do-not-disturb mode. And this was Saturday, a day to sleep in, “Hello?” she mumbled, propping her head up on her pillow.
“Hey, it’s Carmie. Sorry if I woke you,” she said, sounding anything but apologetic.
Vi checked the time. Barely seven a.m. “I didn’t get to bed till late. What’s up?”
“You left a message yesterday for me to phone you back. I want to know all about your news, but first I have a juicy announcement of my own.” Without a pause for comment, she went on. “If you remember, Chris took me to Sweet Sue’s last night. He finally did it, Vi—proposed. I’m officially engaged!!”
Fully alert now, she sat up. “Congratulations!” As thrilled as she was for her friend, she was also envious. Her thoughts went straight to Blake. They hadn’t known each other long enough for anything close to serious. Besides, he wasn’t a long-term relationship type guy. “Have you set a date?”
“Not yet, but we’re thinking sometime early next year. That gives us time to plan. I do have a ring, though,” she said, sounding very happy.
“Send me a photo?”
“I could, but I’d rather show you in person. Let’s meet for coffee in an hour. Does that give you enough time? I have to be at work by ten.”
“I’m already up, so sure.”
“Quick question before we disconnect. Do you think your grandma wants to rent a place? You never said.”
Vi hadn’t given Gran a thought last night. Another guilt pang. She needed to touch base with her today. “I don’t think so. I’ll save my news till I see you. I have a strong craving for a fresh-baked cinnamon roll. Let’s meet at Melissa Ann’s Bakery.”
“I’m so in. See you in an hour.”
The bakery was packed with early risers. The aromas of good coffee, fresh-baked muffins, and other breakfast pastries made Vi’s mouth water.
She spotted Carmie at a table. Looking perky for eight o’clock on a Saturday morning, her friend flashed a huge smile. “I got here early enough to get us a table,” she said. “I’m starving. Let’s hang our jackets on the chairbacks and get our coffee and cinnamon rolls. Oh, and check this out.” She held out her left hand, where a sparkly diamond glittered on her ring finger. “It’s two carats, and I absolutely love it.”
Again, the prick of envy. “It’s a beauty,” Vi agreed.
“I don’t know how Chris chose exactly what I dreamed of, but he nailed it. He had it sized, too. Sneaky man borrowed a ring from my jewelry box.”
Carmie continued to chatter on until a person at the counter called their names. They collected the orders and soon returned to the table. “Enough about me,” she said. “What’s your news?You sounded happy when you left the message, so it must be something good.”
Eager to share everything, Vi started with the promotion. “Mr. Iglesias will announce it to the staff on Monday. It’s going out on media then, too. That’s when I’ll tell the people I work with.”
“The big guns are sharing the news with the media? I’m impressed, but then it’s a well-known company and a big job, and youarea vice president. Congrats! If I’d known, I’d have treated this morning. I’ll make it up to you another time. I hope you’re planning to celebrate.”
“I already did last night.”
“Wonderful. Who with?”
