Page 72 of Blame it on the Kiss
“Got it.”
“Good.” She nodded to someone over his shoulder. “Duty calls. I’ll see you later.” With a quick peck on his cheek, she dashed away like a woman half her age.
“Hey, dude,” Danny said, handing him one of the beers in his hand. “To the man of the hour.” They clinked bottles.
“Thanks.” He took a swig before turning his attention to Olivia. “Hi, Liv. Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Of course. These are the moments friends don’t miss, right?”
Danny put his arm around her shoulders. “And don’t worry, we won’t play up the fan thing too much.”
“Yeah, how about you keep all fanning to yourselves please.”
“Your grandmother told me I’m allowed one catcall,” Danny said.
“You kissed her hand, didn’t you?”
“Yep.” Danny grinned.
A flash of color caught the corner of Bryce’s eye and he turned his head. His heart stopped. Honor stood beside Sophie and Zane dressed in an elegant short-sleeved floor length blue dress covered in sequins. Her dark blond hair fell in soft waves past her shoulders. Her lips showed off a glossy sheen.
From across the room their eyes met.
The sound of voices died. The tables, chairs, wait staff, guests, all ceased to exist. One singular thing—one beautiful human being—held his attention.
“My date’s here,” he said to Danny and Liv. “I’ll be back.” He put his beer down on an empty tray table and strode toward her.
The closer he got, the sexier her smile grew. Light from the hanging chandeliers seemed to catch each tiny bead on her gown and she shimmered more breathtaking than the ocean under a full moon.
“Hi,” he said, kissing her cheek in greeting.
“Hi.”
“You look incredible.”
“Thank you. You do, too.”
“Congratulations, bro,” Zane said, patting him on the back and breaking his connection with Honor.
“Congratulations,” Sophie echoed, wrapping him in a hug.
“Thanks. I need to steal this beautiful woman away for a few,” Bryce said. “We’ll catch up with you guys at the table.” He tucked Honor’s arm in his, and while he really wanted to whisk her away somewhere private, he searched out his grandmother instead.
“Where are we going?” she whispered.
“Worried?”
“Yes.”
He paused. She’d gotten quiet last night at dinner and she seemed a little off now. He’d half expected her to cancel on him at the last minute. But here she was and he didn’t want her worrying her bottom lip. Or pulling away from him.
“There’s no reason to be nervous,” he said, fighting the impulse to run the pad of his thumb over that full lip of hers. “You’re my guest tonight. That’s it.”
The nonchalant words did the trick and eased the tension creasing her forehead. She nodded.Hismuscles, however, suddenly tensed. With the truth about Payton’s list, they’d taken a big step forward. But it seemed two steps back always followed.
“But my grandmother did request a private introduction.” He resumed walking toward the sound of a very distinct laugh.
Honor brought him to a stop. “Now? I just got here and that seems…” She pulled in a deep breath. “Really quick.”
