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Her new husband must have worked his magic once they had retired for the night because Mother had handed over my cell while walking out the door for their honeymoon.
“Later today, we can get online to pick out invitations,” Mother said, and I opened my mouth to begrudgingly agree, but Gideon beat me to it.
“Actually,” he said, setting his utensils upside down on his empty plate, “Addilyn and I are going on a sightseeing tour this afternoon.”
I stared at him, face and mind blank. We had no such plans—but did he lie because he felt bad for me or because he wanted to get me alone? Clearing my throat, I nodded. It didn’t matter. The thought of spending hours poring over invitations—because that’s what she’d made me do with her for my birthday party the year before—churned my stomach.
“Yeah,” I agreed, holding his gaze. “We’ll be gone most of the day.”
He grinned, dimples and all, even though his eyes narrowed a bit with a knowing look.
Guess he planned to get me alone. Great. Still, better than spending time with Mother.
“I’m glad to hear the two of you are going on an outing together. I swear you fight like cats and dogs without all the hissing and barking,” Mother stated with a fake laugh.
I wiped my mouth with my linen napkin and glanced at Lloyd. He winked at me.
“May we be excused, Mother?” I asked, not needing to force a smile that came easily from his calming presence.
“Of course, sweetheart.” She waved us away, her painted lips tilting up. “Enjoy yourselves!”
“She’s just happy to have the house to themselves,” I whispered to Gideon once the dining room door shut behind us. “What’d you really have in mind?” I asked, hands on my hips while spinning to face him.
He took his time glancing down over my blouse and dark jeans—a semi decent outfit for breakfast in Mother’s eyes. “Let’s go fly the friendly skies,” he said, returning his focus to my face.
At least he hadn’t claimed to want to steal me away, steal a kiss from me like I’d expected him to.
“And I suppose I’ll be paying since you never have a single dollar on you,” I said even though I knew from his own mouth his dad didn’t have any money.
“Dutch, sure.”
“It’s not a date,” I snipped and spun on my heel.
He followed along like he always did, probably checking out my ass. Warmth flushed through me, but I scowled the rising goosebumps away. “Father took me on a tour over the glaciers when I was four,” I told him as I stepped onto the landing. “I barely remember it, really, so I’d love to go again if you’re up for it.”
“I’m always up for it, princess.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gideon.”
“Give them a call,” Gideon said with a chuckle, heading toward his door rather than mine to box me in again. “See what they have available today.”
A shudder rippled over me at the memory of his muscles and heat pressing against my backside. “Hey.”
He pulled up short, the door handle in his grasp, one eyebrow raised in question.
So damn fine.
“Thanks.”
He nodded, knowing exactly what I spoke of, and disappeared into his bedroom.
