“But what?”
“I’m not falling for him anymore. I’m totally in love with him, and that’s a problem.”
“Does he know?”
“No, and he never will.”
“Ah, you’re still afraid he’ll leave you.”
“That’s a given, but I want to have sex with him again. I’m already looking forward to being with him after the wedding. Am I crazy for enjoying it while it lasts?”
“I think you know the answer to that.”
“Yes, but I want your opinion anyway.”
“All right. No, I don’t think you’re crazy. If it were me, I’d do exactly what you’re doing. If you keep a level head about the future, you might not even get hurt.”
Too late for that. The doorbell chimed and Vi’s heart lifted. “He’s here.”
CHAPTER 25
After several days away from Vi, Blake was hungry to be together. “Hi,” he said, feasting his eyes on her.
Today her hair was loose and parted with a red flower clip securing one side. The same color as the tiny red flowers along the hem and short sleeves of her light blue dress. Her shoes were open at the toe, revealing scarlet toenails. He really liked that.
He pulled her into a hug and kissed her. When he let her go, she wore the dreamy look he so liked. “You look beautiful.”
She smiled. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”
In honor of the day, he’d worn a pressed shirt and dark pants. Mr. T sashayed over. “You’re expecting a treat, huh. Here you go.” He dropped a catnip ball at the tom’s feet.
“You spoil him rotten,” Vi said. “We should go. I filled his dish with cat food. Be a good boy, okay?”
The usual warmth and friendliness radiated from her, and it dawned on Blake that fatigue had been to blame for whatever had bothered her the other night. “You got some rest,” he said.
“I did. As it turned out, I didn’t have to work this morning and was able to sleep in. Do I look rested?”
“That and you seem more energetic. How’s the job going?”
“Pretty well. Not nearly as hectic as the last time I saw you.”
“That’s good news.” They buckled in and he headed out.
“Gran hasn’t said much about the wedding except that lots of their friends from the 709 are coming,” she told him on the drive. “I have no idea what to expect.”
“With our grandparents, you never know. Let’s hope they don’t get into a fight.”
Vi’s eyes widened. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“How long is this thing supposed to last?”
“Long enough to serve a buffet dinner. Why?”
“I told Whitney we’d stop by later this afternoon.”
“You mentioned that before, but I didn’t know you meant today.” Vi frowned. “I didn’t bring my bike clothes.”
“We’re not riding today—we’ll do that another time. My sister’s super impatient for us to get to her house and share the wedding details ASAP. I promised we’d come over as soon as we leave the 709. She’s looking forward to meeting you.”
