AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After dinner, Rory slid his hand into Vi’s and pretended to listen to the speeches. His side peeks at the fascinating woman beside him only justified his decision. Her facial expressions provided more entertainment than what anyone had to say.
Finally, the band began a new set. Rory murmured, “You ready for another round?”
Her stifled yawn charmed him. “I’m game.”
However, once he helped her up, Melissa stood in their path, a bright pink spot on each cheek. Reeking of alcohol, she peered at him with unfocused eyes. “You owe me a dance.” She poked him in the chest, then spun toward Vi, slurring loudly, “We had a date, you know.”
Vi shot Rory a sharp look. Before he could react, she stepped up to Melissa and whispered in her ear. When the taller woman gave her a befuddled stare, Vi angled her head, raising one strawberry brow toward the door. Melissa’s lower lip protruded as if she didn’t care for what she’d heard. Vi never broke eye contact. Finally, the woman wobbled away on unsteady legs. Even her bouncy skirt seemed deflated.
Rory let out the breath he’d held, crooking his elbow. Vi plunked her arm through his, and they made their way to the dance floor. He relished her closeness as they moved in sync. “Dare I ask what you said to her?”
Vi’s lovely features hardened. “I told her sharing’s not my thing.” She watched him closely. “You told me you had done something stupid. When she said the two of you had a date, I knew what stupid meant.” One hand knotted into a fist against his shoulder. “What were you thinking, Rory?”
The brick in Rory’s throat enlarged by the second. “I was mad and upset because you wouldn’t go out with me.”
Her stiff posture relented as his words sank in. To his utter relief, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Okay,” she murmured, “Point taken.”
“Are you mad at me?”
“No,” she drew the word out slowly. “Don’t push it, though.” Her blue eyes drilled into him.
Rory kissed the top of her head. “I won’t.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Taking a deep breath, Vi blinked back tears. She gazed into a mirror in the ladies’ room and wove a wayward strand of hair back into the braid. When she and Rory had made their way around the non-profit booths, he stopped to chat with the mayor. After he’d introduced Vi, she’d wandered over to the Adopt-A-Pet table. Their enthusiastic response to her story about fostering Thunder had almost convinced her the gala was fun. Until she spied the banner for Valiant’s maternity home for teens. The onslaught of memories had caught her off guard. Now she’d all but locked herself in the bathroom, desperately trying to hold together for Rory’s sake.
Suddenly, a woman stood behind Vi, gazing into the same mirror. “So, are you having a good time?” Her smoky eyes simmered with anger.
Vi’s sense of being caught in a time warp receded as she faced this very present challenge. “Do I know you?” The woman had been staring at them throughout the evening.
The woman moved to the next mirror and pretended to arrange her hair. Her lack of answer didn’t fool Vi. The only way to handle these mean-girl types was to scoot out of target range. Vi would leave—on her own terms.
Painting on a bright smile, Vi said, “Marvelous evening. I’ve had such a wonderful time.” Stepping around the woman, Vi reached the door and then turned back. “And my date … well, Rory is the absolute best.”
When she emerged from the ladies’ room, Rory stepped close. “I lost track of time and hoped you might be here.” The line between his brows deepened. “What happened?”
The adrenaline rush that carried Vi through the last bit left her lightheaded. She managed a shaky smile. “I’m fine.”
Concern streaked through his eyes. “Do you need to sit?” He glanced at her feet and held out his arm. “The shoes—they’re killing you.”
Vi concentrated on putting one stiletto heel in front of the other. The mere act of walking had morphed into torment. Back at their table, she unobtrusively slipped them off and massaged feeling back into her feet. She glanced around, hoping Mean Girl hadn’t chosen to retaliate. Why had Vi gushed? She’d always disdained the sorority-girl vibe.
Because you want Rory for yourself. The words mocked her. She pinched her big toe until it hurt.
Close to midnight. The clamor had increased throughout the evening. A few revelers seemed on the verge of hysteria, while others looked sleepy. A countdown started. Gala-goers chanted, “Five, four, three, two, one!” Boom. The bass drum struck midnight. Stirred by the band, the crowd sang “Auld Lang Syne.” Rory snatched two flutes of champagne from a serving tray, handing one to her. The bubbles tickled her nose.
Vi gazed at Rory, knowing the protocol for welcoming in the New Year meant a kiss. Or two. He intercepted her look with dark gray eyes, then he squeezed her hand and held it. She was relieved, yet disappointed when the moment passed. He’d wanted to kiss her, and the idea of kissing him had tugged at her all evening—okay, for days.
Could she trust him?
He leaned over and tapped her nose as if he’d read her thoughts. “Stay right here while I close this shindig.”
Hustling to the stage, Rory pulled a notecard from his pocket. Twice, in his brief closing speech, he forgot who to thank for the event. When he put the notecard in a different pocket and couldn’t find it again, he held up his hands in a classic where-did-it-go pose. Charmed, the remaining gala participants applauded. Vi shook her head, clapping along.
Her heart flipped when he zipped down the steps as if he had two normal feet. When she rose, he touched her lips with an index finger. “Let me check with the closing crew, and then”—he pecked her cheek—“we’re out of here.”
Minutes later, he steered her to the exit.
