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It was then that he had to confront the truth—he wanted more from Lea than an amicable friendship—more than a convenient marriage. He was still struggling for the words to describe his vision for their future, but in this moment, none were needed. He’d swooped in for a kiss. It was short and sweet. He didn’t want to push his luck as the evening was going perfectly.
But now, as they walked home, he couldn’t help recalling the softness of her lips against his. Even though the kiss had been brief, it had sparked a fire within him that continued to smolder. He ached for more of her. So much more.
Xander continued to hold Lea’s hand. “Thank you for this evening. The wedding wasn’t bad after all.”
“Wasn’t bad? As I seem to recall, you had a rather good time. You were even laughing during the Chicken Dance.”
“Such a ridiculous name for something that in no way resembles a dance.”
“It’s a lot of fun and helps loosen up the crowd. Seemed to work just fine to get you to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“I don’t know if flapping my arms relaxed me, but I did enjoy the rest of the evening. We’ll have to crash another wedding sometime.”
He didn’t say it but it wasn’t the dance that had him enjoying this evening, it was her. Lea was the most amazing woman in the world. Beneath the moonlight, he stumbled upon another moment of clarity. If he let Lea get away, there would never be anyone nearly as special—as perfect—for him.
Lea’s sigh drew his attention.
“What’s on your mind?” He wanted to know anything and everything about her.
“I was just thinking that there won’t be another time. At least not here on the island.” She sounded saddened by the thought. “Not if I sell it.”
It saddened him, too. But he didn’t want to rehash the subject of the island. He knew it would lead to nothing but trouble for them. And he wasn’t about to ruin this evening.
He needed to change the subject. “Have you talked with your parents?”
They continued to stroll along at a leisurely pace. “Actually, I took your advice and tried.”
“Tried?”
She nodded. “No one answered. And no one has called back, so I don’t know what to make of it.”
“Did you leave a message?”
“Um, no.” She avoided his searching gaze.
“How are they supposed to know to call, if you didn’t leave a message?”
“They’ll see a missed call and my number.”
He didn’t say a word. Instead he shook his head.
“Why are you shaking your head? At least I tried. It’s more than they’ve done.”
She did have a point. “That’s true. Maybe they’re traveling. Or out of cell reception.”
“My parents don’t travel. They love their little corner of the world.”
“When did you call?”
“This afternoon, before I left the office.”
That would explain why she’d repeatedly checked her phone during the evening. He had started to think that he had been boring her.
Xander squeezed her hand. “Give it time. They’ll call.”
“Maybe.” But she didn’t sound convinced.
He knew what it was like to have your family let you down—except his sister. Stasia had always been there for him, even when he didn’t want her to be. These days she seemed to think he needed to settle down and start a family of his own. He wondered what she’d think of him making a family with Lea.
“You have to understand,” Lea said, drawing his full attention, “my relationship with them is quite strained. My mother thinks she always knows best. She’s been making decisions for me my whole life. Like my college, I didn’t even know about all the schools that had accepted me until it was too late. But the final straw was when she kept my extended family from me. Do you even know what that felt like?”
“I have some idea.” His adoptive parents had never kept it a secret that he was adopted. When he was young, his mother would say he was the child they chose—the child of their hearts. That reassurance had faded away after his little sister came along.
