Worth the Wait (15 page)

“Shall we join Jackson and Hank on the deck before I have to leave for rehearsal?” Vivi asked Cat.

“Sure,” replied Cat, who shot David an annoyed glare before going outside.

Jackson and Hank were discussing plans for some kitchen remodel. Vivi only gave them half of her attention. Her other half couldn’t resist watching David and Laney through the windows. David pressed his lips together as he stared across the table at Laney, who was jabbing her finger at him. She contorted her face, then pushed away from the table and ran up the steps. Rather than follow her, David clamped his hands behind his drooped head and squeezed hard.

Given what she now knew about the severity of David’s dilemma, Vivi couldn’t stand seeing him endure additional suffering. She excused herself from the deck and slipped inside. He looked up from the table when she entered the room. For a heartbeat, their eyes locked like magnets as palpable energy passed between them. She slid the door closed behind her.

“I’m sorry, David. Did my tantrum cause you problems with Laney, or was it our midnight adventure that pissed her off?”

He shook his head, sighing, before he stood and approached her. His eyes assessed every inch of her face. He brushed a section of hair behind her ear.

“Don’t apologize.” He stroked her upper arms with his hands. Despite her vows to disengage, she still loved his touch. “And don’t let her ruin your day, or your anticipation of tonight.”

“Honestly, Laney’s not the reason my nerves are on fire.” She refrained from swaying into him. Always the pull. Always. “I wish I could be confident like you. You never sweat.”

David’s lips quirked upward. “You couldn’t be more wrong. I second-guess myself often, especially lately.”

“Present circumstances aside, I don’t believe you for a second. But thanks for trying to make me feel better.” She glanced at the kitchen clock and sighed. “I’ve got to change and head to the final rehearsal.”

He clasped her hand, firing tingles of pleasure up her arm. “This band wouldn’t have gone forward with you if you weren’t up to it. ” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.

He’d often performed these tender ministrations in the past. Now it felt different. He held her hand, staring at her intently as if he wanted to say more. Jackson’s burst of laughter on the other side of the window broke the spell. David squeezed her hand before releasing it and walking outside.

She left the house wondering what else he’d wanted to say.

Three hours later, the band completed its final run-through. Joe seemed pleased and thanked her multiple times. Vivi glanced around at the workers, who were scampering around putting the finishing touches on the tent and setting up the party supplies.

“Will you join me for lunch?” Franco asked as she hopped down from the newly constructed stage.

“Sounds great.” She’d made very little progress this week in her battle to get over David. Lunch with Franco would be a step in the right direction. Plus, more time away from everyone meant less chance of accidentally exposing David’s secret, and less opportunity for Laney to hurl more insults.

Franco suggested they return to Beachhead, which suited her fine. A girl on vacation could never eat too many lobster rolls. As before, they dined outdoors. Several flags on the porch snapped in the steady ocean breeze. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend she was on a sailboat.

After ordering lunch, Vivi launched into an interrogation.

“Do you have family in Italy?”

“My parents moved back two years ago. They live outside of Florence.”

“Do you go home often?” She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. He mirrored her movement.

Up close, she noticed the golden highlights in his brown eyes. His dark lashes were short and thick instead of long and curled like David’s.

“Probably twice a year. More if I’m on assignment nearby.”

Vivi’s mother’s and brother’s faces popped into her mind. If they had survived, nothing could’ve kept Vivi away. Heck, she even visited her dad at least once each month despite their difficult relationship. Then again, who was she to judge?

“I’ve never been. It looks so romantic in the movies. I’d love to go to Tuscany to paint someday.” She momentarily checked out of the conversation and pictured herself on a balcony of an ancient stone villa with a red tile roof, overlooking a patio decorated with terra-cotta planters overflowing with ivy and flowers, sketching the rolling gold and green landscape.

“Music, photography, and painting.” Franco grinned, bringing her back to the present. “A true artist.”

“Not a great one, but I enjoy making art with my school kids.” She smiled at the thought of her eager students. Of being covered in paint with them. Of their joy. “An easy-to-impress crowd. My favorite kind. In fact, maybe we should import them to the party tonight.”

“Just accept the compliment.” He sat forward. “Anyway, passion moves people more than skill where art is concerned, and you’re obviously a passionate woman.”

When he reached across the table to cover her hand with his, the dark flicker of desire in his eyes flustered her. She suspected he didn’t have to work very hard to get most women into his bed. He’d soon learn she wasn’t one of those women.

“Passionate about life.” She withdrew her hand and sipped her soda. “I’m a big fan of nature walks, the movies, Indian food . . . well, all food, actually. How about you?”

Vivi continued to smile. If he didn’t have any genuine interest in them getting to know each other, this would be their only date, because Vivi would never be his easy lay.

“Am I passionate?” He flashed a wicked grin. “I think so. Would you like me to prove it?”

“Poor Franco, setting yourself up for disappointment.” She laughed so she wouldn’t feel like his prey. “I keep warning everyone about the dangers of excessive expectations.”

“I like your candor.” He chuckled. “Relax. I’m just joking. I like you, so I’m not going to do anything to scare you away.”

He liked her. How heartwarming. “So, let me travel vicariously through your experiences. Where is your favorite spot on the planet?” Vivi sat back. “I’ve never even been outside the U.S.”

“Really?” His leaned forward, extending his palms across the table. “Maybe we can remedy that with one of my upcoming assignments. I can help you improve your landscape photography.”

“I’d love a photography lesson! But maybe we could start in Central Park?” She sipped her tea, stalling. “So, back to my question. Where’s your favorite place?”

“I can’t pick one, although I prefer cities to places like this.” He gestured out toward the island. “I need the buzz of people, traffic, lights . . . signs of life.”

Vivi preferred nature’s beauty—mountains, lakes, forests, and oceans. Of course, foreign cities with ancient buildings also held a certain appeal. She’d dreamed of sitting on the edge of the Trevi Fountain sipping espresso, then strolling through the Vatican and Sistine Chapel to look at Michelangelo’s masterpiece.

In those dreams she was always with David, who would know as much as any docent about every place they would visit.

She looked across the table at Franco, disappointed by his vague answer. She continued questioning him about his family, friends, and hobbies. By the end of lunch, he’d neatly evaded her probing questions with breezy responses.

Although they’d laughed, and conversation was never stilted, she felt like she’d eaten a sugar-free dessert. A cheap imitation of something real.

Of course, this was her pattern. Meet a guy, get excited, then compare him unfavorably with David. Her muscles tensed. While Franco paid the bill, she rubbed the crease between her eyes and considered her fault-finding history.

Not again. There was nothing wrong with Franco. He’d been perfectly pleasant. No guy bares his whole heart and soul on a first date. She had to stop projecting too far ahead. Stop focusing on what was missing at the expense of what was available.

When he took her hand as they walked to the car, she didn’t pull away. He’d be leaving the island tomorrow. Today would be about adventure and possibility, not doubt and worry.

When Franco drove up to the front of the St. James home, she noticed Laney’s and Jackson’s cars parked in the gravel driveway. Vivi fumbled with her seat belt latch while he reached into the backseat.

“Hang on.” He brought forth a gift bag.

“What’s this?” She picked through the tissue paper and discovered an ultrasoft jersey-knit halter dress in French blue, lavender, and white. “For me?”

“You mentioned you hadn’t packed anything nice to wear to the party. I saw this in town and thought of you.”

“That’s so considerate.” Her eyes widened in surprise. Wariness then spoiled her gratitude. “But I can’t accept it.”

“You don’t like it?” He tilted his head, assessing her.

“I like it a lot. I mean, look at the colors!” She slid the silky-feeling fabric through her fingers. “Still, we barely know each other. You shouldn’t buy me expensive gifts.” She returned the dress back to the bag before handing it to him.

“I want you to have it.” His mouth twitched and he kept his eyes on the bag.

Crap. Everything about his expression told her she’d insulted him. Vivi failed at many things, but boy, could she succeed at sabotaging happiness.

“Okay, I’ll keep it.” She reached over to touch his forearm. “It’s pretty, Franco. You have good taste.”

He smiled and looked at her again. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I do. I really do.” She squeezed his arm. “You’re very sweet.”

“I can be when properly motivated.” He shot her a wolfish grin, which made him look anything but sweet.

Vivi laughed and kissed him on the cheek before waving him off. As he turned out of the driveway, she dashed inside the house.

“I’m back.” Her bellow was met by silence. “Anyone here?”

She bounded down the steps, changed into a swimsuit, and then started down the cliff-side staircase. When she rounded the first bend, she saw the group below and picked up her pace.

“Hey.” She laid her towel beside Cat’s umbrella. David smiled at her. Laney barely looked up from her book. “Where are Jackson and Hank?”

“Not sure.” Cat sat up and narrowed her gaze. “So, are you all set?”

“Yeah. It went well.” Vivi curled her ponytail around her hand and drew it in front of her shoulder. “Of course, I suggested guests be forced to drink at least one shot of tequila when they arrive so they won’t notice our mistakes.”

“I’m glad you can joke.” Cat slung back on her elbows. “I got worried when you took so long to return.”

“Franco took me to lunch after rehearsal.” She fidgeted with her hair as she recalled how she’d handled his surprise.

“Uh-oh. What’s that look?” Cat studied Vivi’s face. “Did something happen?”

David’s gaze fell on Vivi, too. Their focused attention made her twitchy. She shrugged while sifting sand through her fingers.

“He bought me a dress to wear tonight.”

“Ooh la la.” A knowing smile graced Cat’s face. “That’s interesting.”

“At first I told him I couldn’t accept it.” Vivi scrunched up her face. “I could tell I’d hurt his feelings, so I kept it.”

“Why couldn’t you accept it?” Laney piped up.

Vivi snapped her head toward Laney. “We don’t know each other well. Lunch was our first real date. It seemed too personal, under the circumstances.”

“It’s a present from a handsome man, not something sinister.” Laney placed her book on her thighs and crossed her arms. “Just enjoy it.”

“I don’t want to create any expectations.” Vivi frowned.

“You’re overthinking it. He bought you a gift. He didn’t hand you a hotel key and a condom.” Laney rolled her eyes and resumed reading, oblivious to Vivi’s stunned reaction.

“If you’re not comfortable, give it back,” David interrupted.

Laney lowered her book, pinning David with a derisive glare.

“How interesting, David.” She narrowed her gaze. “Perhaps I should’ve declined the gifts you’ve bought me instead of assuming you bought them as tokens of affection.”

“Don’t twist my words, Laney.” His snappish tone made Vivi gulp. “If Vivi’s uncomfortable, she should return it.” He tilted toward Vivi, his hand stretching across the sand toward her leg. “You’ve always trusted your gut. Don’t stop now.”