Page 5

"I am relaxed."

"Your shoulders disagree."

"I'm trying not to step on your shoes. They look expensive."

"They are."

"Well, at least you're honest about something."

His smile widens. "I can afford another pair."

"Show-off."

He pulls me a little closer, laughing when I glance down to check where my feet are going. His hand rests against the bare skin above the back of my dress, and the gentle pressure does unfortunate things to my concentration.

"You look beautiful tonight, Bridget."

"Thank you. This dress is cutting off circulation to several important organs, but I appreciate the compliment."

"You're always this funny?"

"Usually people say annoying."

"Then they haven't been paying attention."

I look up, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. He isn't scanning the room or checking whether somebody more important wants his attention. He's looking at me like I'm exactly where he wants to be.

"So tell me about yourself," he says.

"How much time have you got? I'm thirty-seven, I work at a library, and I once spent three weeks researching whether cats recognize their own names."

"Do they?"

"Yes. They just don't give a shit."

He laughs, a genuine, deep laugh that makes me ridiculously pleased with myself.

"A librarian?" he asks. "What do you like to read?"

"Romance, thrillers, murder mysteries. Preferably books where the killer isn't obvious by chapter two. Some fictional serial killers have better relationships than I've had with actual men."

"Sounds like you've been dating the wrong men."

"Clearly. Although none of them admitted to being serial killers on their dating profiles."

"What about dating apps?"

"Deleted the last one after a man sent me an unsolicited dick picture taken in front of a filthy bathroom mirror. The toilet seat was up, Enzo. I have standards."

His laughter makes a nearby couple glance our way. I can't remember the last time I've enjoyed making somebody laugh this much.

"And what about you?" I ask. "What do you do when you're not rescuing weddings from stomach viruses?"

"My family has interests in entertainment properties, venues, and investments around Los Angeles. I help oversee some of them."

"That sounds important."

"It keeps me busy."