Page 34 of Landing Love

“I did. It was lovely.”

“Not as lovely as you,” Bill murmured in her ear.

His words sent a thrill through her. She had suspected as much from her glances at him during the ceremony, but she’d been too embarrassed to look back for any length of time. “Weren’t you supposed to be watching the bride and groom?”

He waved away her objection with his hand. “They don’t mind. They think you’re as wonderful as I do.”

A waiter came by and put a glass of champagne beside her plate, and she tried to hide her grimace. The last thing she needed this evening was to make a fool of herself like she did with the beer on moving day.

Bill motioned for the waiter to pause and turned to her. “Would you like something other than champagne to drink?”

That was so thoughtful of him! “Plain water will do for me.”

“You heard the lady. Water, please.”

The waiter frowned and mumbled, “Of course,” before disappearing into the crowd.

“Thank you, Bill. That was very thoughtful.” It was a small thing, but it meant so much to her that he had noticed.

“Anything for you,” he said, taking the opportunity to kiss her hand. Each touch and especially each kiss fueled the coiling warmth within her.

Dinner flew by in a flurry of plates, tinkling crystal, and boisterous conversation as half of New York City came to pay court to the bride and groom. Well, mostly the bride. And her father, of course. They didn’t have much to say to the side of the table with all the pilots, which was fine with the pilots. Poor Hank had to endure their endless condescension, but Bill, Jack, and Ernie were a party unto themselves.

“Have you ever seen such a ritzy joint?” Jack asked in his broadest Brooklyn accent, grinning at the startled society matrons at the next table.

“And look at the way these birds are all dolled up.” Ernie winked at two young women dripping in pearls and waiting to speak to the new Mrs. Hawley. “Too bad Myrtle is missing this.” He elbowed Jack in the side.

The young ladies tittered and blushed, turning to whisper to each other as an older woman beside them glared at Ernie and steered them toward the Belmont side of the table.

“Maybe I should find myself an heiress like Hawley. How hard can it be?” Leaning back, Ernie took a long sip of champagne.

Ann had to laugh. “They should be so lucky.”

Those poor young ladies would probably have little choice in who they married if half what she read in her mother’s gossip papers was true.

“You know, I like you, Mrs. Prince. Not everyone recognizes what an honor it is to marry a pilot.” Ernie turned his dazzling smile on her.

She was sure most ladies swooned at the sight, but all she noticed was the sudden warmth of Bill’s arm around her shoulder.

“There are heiresses aplenty here tonight. Why don’t you leave my date alone and go try to charm one of them.” His tone was light, but there was a hint of irritation that made her smile. As if she would pay any attention to Ernie with Bill around.

A band started to play, and Mr. Belmont stood up. “Since the groom is still recovering from his injuries, I have the honor of taking the first dance with my daughter.” The guests applauded as he led Rory to the dance floor with a wide grin. Rory beamed as they danced a stately waltz. It was heartwarming to see a father and daughter so happy together.

Ann’s father had passed when she was fifteen, so her uncle had walked her down the aisle. What would it have been like to have her father there? No, it was better not to think about it. That was an old grief that she didn’t want to reopen on such a lovely night.

Bill’s arm tightened around Ann. Heavens, that felt good! She leaned against him, savoring his warmth. How did he know so well what she needed in the moment? It was so tempting to give in to the affection and stability he offered. It would have been so easy to settle into his embrace and never leave. But it wouldn’t have been fair. Her heart still overflowed with grief and had very little room for anything else.

Still, this was a magical night, and she could almost forget her sorrows in his arms. And she had promised to let go for just this one night.

As the music wound to a close, other couples rose to join. Bill stirred beside her, letting his arm drop.

“At last. This is what I’ve been waiting for. May I have the honor?” He offered his hand to Ann.

“Of course,” she answered, filled with butterflies at the prospect of dancing with him again.

They took to the floor for a foxtrot, and she relished the feeling of his arm around her, his chest nearly touching her own. “You were very quiet during dinner,” he murmured in her ear. “Were you regretting what you said about tonight?”

Yes. No. She didn’t know. “What makes you think that?”