“Did you do all of this?” she asked.
He nodded and pulled her against him. I should’ve left, but I didn’t. I wanted to be near her, even if it meant torturing myself in the process.
Tyler led Angie to sit on the blanket, and I moved away from the scene, leaning back against a nearby tree. He poured them two glasses of wine, and I stared out at the waterfall between glimpses of her. She was breathtaking in a way I couldn’t put into words.
At some point, Tyler shifted onto one knee with a ring in his hand. I was far enough away that I couldn’t make out his words, but her nod was as unmistakable as the happy tears streaming down her perfect face, and the kiss that followed cracked my heart wide open. I’d lost her long before then, but it felt like the final nail in the coffin.
Tyler stood with her in his arms and spun them in a circle. He caught my eye, smirking. It was then that I realized this was some sort of carefully orchestrated plan on his part, and I’d fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Our friendship changed in the blink of an eye. I finally saw him for who he truly was. Still, I stuck around because he hadher, and I was determined to make sure he treated her right.
Tires crunch on gravel, drawing me out of the hauntinglyvivid memory. Olivia hops out of the driver’s seat of her black SUV with a wicker basket in one hand and a bouquet of sunflowers from Mama’s greenhouse in the other.
I shake my head as she approaches. “Not that kind of date, Livie girl.”
“Flowers are always a good idea.” She places them and the basket on the tailgate and gives my forearm a reassuring squeeze. “Good luck.”
Olivia disappears back down the road as Angie emerges from the stables. “Delivery?”
“Something like that.”
I gesture to the picnic laid out on the tailgate and hold out the flowers. “For you.”
She buries her face in them, but I can still see the smile that crinkles the corners of her eyes. “How did you know I love sunflowers?”
My thoughts fail me, and all I can say is, “Wilder.”
What is it about that smile that suddenly has me tongue-tied?
“I love them. Thank you.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her Olivia picked them, but I think better of it before I make a total ass of myself. Obviously, I’m meant to take the credit. I really am terrible at this romantic shit.
Our eyes lock and hold. I can feel the electricity thrumming between us, like a current drawing me in. I step toward her, caging her against the open tailgate, then I take the flowers from her hand and set them aside.
It would be so easy to kiss her right now. She is my wife after all, and what good is being married if I can’t kiss her anytime I want? My palms find the soft curve of her waist, lingering there a moment longer than necessary.
“Griff.” My name comes out a little breathy as her hands gently press into my shoulders.
“Yes, Angel?”
She draws in a shaky breath as her eyes dart to my mouth. “What are you doing?”
My nose brushes hers. “Thinking of all the things I want to do to you that don’t involve dinner.”
There’s a wicked gleam in Angie’s eyes as she trails a finger down my chest, and the devil on my shoulder sits up straighter.
“Angel…” It’s a warning, but she barrels right past it.
“Touch me.”
I suck in a lungful of Angelina scented air, my grip tightening on her waist. “We shouldn’t.”
Her mouth quirks up at one corner. “We absolutely should.”
A better man would have the strength to resist her, but I’ve always been weak when it comes to Angelina Rossi. I lift her onto the tailgate and trail my hands down her thick thighs, spreading them open just enough for me to step between them. My palm slides under her hair, tracing the side of her face.
Just as I’m about to give in to temptation, Angie’s phone dings. She pinches her eyes shut and blows out a harsh breath. “Ignore it.”
It dings again.
