When her parents walked into the party less than half an hour after the event started, she wished more than anything to be back in the city. To have a little more privacy again. She was hoping to have the evening alone with George and, once again, her family would be the reason that didn’t happen.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?” She met them at the door.
Both of her parents were smiling and looking around. “We were invited,” her mother said before waving to Joseline Ellison, Essie’s mother.
“Josie and I go way back,” her mother said easily. “Don’t worry about us, we’re just here to enjoy the party and give Essie our best.” She motioned to the large gift her father was carrying in his hands.
Okay, it was going to take some getting used to, seeing her parents around town constantly. She loved them and enjoyed being around them, but seeing them reminded her that business should come above all else and made her feel guilty for recent distractions. After all, they were the ones who put her through school and helped her and Kara after their grandfather died and left them their inheritance to purchase this very property.
She owed them a lot. They were the reason she and her sister believed that happy-ever-afters could come after wedding bells.
For the rest of the evening, she kept herself busy refilling the punch bowl and the sandwich platters, or just making sure kids didn’t sneak off somewhere and make out.
Which is what she was doing when George found her up in the loft after catching the birthday girl and her on again, off again boyfriend, Evan. She’d interrupted a very heated season of making out and only had to motion to the stairs to get the young couple scurrying away.
A low chuckle moments later caused her to jump slightly and spin around.
“You know, I bet there was a time when you snuck off like that yourself,” George said, stepping into the light.
Her eyes narrowed. “Were you standing there the entire time?”
He chuckled and shook his head as he moved closer to her. “No, just got up here as the young couple was headed down. But I can imagine why they were up here in the first place.” His arms wrapped around her hips and pulled her closer. “Which has me thinking…” His lips brushed against hers.
She felt her legs turn to jelly as she held onto him. “George.” She sighed when he pulled back and started running his mouth down her neck. “I... We can’t.”
“I know,” he said against her skin. “But since no one is looking, we can take just a moment.” He kissed her again before releasing her and taking a full step backwards. She felt wobbly and reached out for the railing to steady herself.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” he asked suddenly.
She frowned. Mondays were normally slow days, which allowed her to catch up on her paperwork and orders.
She opened her mouth to tell him just that but shrugged instead. “Nothing that can’t be moved around. Why?”
He smiled. “I was going to take the boat out for the first time this year.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Sailing?”
He nodded. “It’s sort of a family pastime. I’ve been going out on the water since before I was born, or so my parents tell me.” He chuckled. “What do you say we make a day of it?”
She thought about the cool weather. About being out on the water in what was still almost dead winter in Oregon. She’d only ever been on a boat a handful of times and that had been in the heat of summer.
“Won’t the weather put a damper on the day?” she asked.
“No.” His smile grew and then he took a deep breath. “Actually, this is one of my favorite times of year to be out on the water. The bite of the air, the crispness of it.” He glanced down as a loud burst of laughter sounded from below. “I was going to head out around eight. I’ll pack breakfast and lunch, and we’ll be back before dinnertime.”
“Why not,” she heard herself saying. “What should I wear?”
He chuckled. “Something warm.”
She nodded as they started walking towards the stairs. “Can I bring anything?”
“If you have a wine you like,” he said after a moment. “I’ll handle everything else.” He glanced at her, and her heart did a little flip as his eyes ran over her lips. “I’d like to kiss you again, but I’ll wait until we’re alone.”
For the rest of the evening, she was walking on air. She tried to keep George off her mind, but each time she found a moment alone to think, there he was, popping up in her thoughts again.
“So.” Her mother stopped beside her as she sipped a glass of juice. “What’s between you and George Stevens?”
It was a good thing Robin hadn’t been taking a sip of the juice right then because, as it was, she started choking on air. She could only imagine what would have happened if she’d had a mouth full of juice.
Her mother reached over and slapped her softly on the back a few times until Robin recovered.
“What makes you ask that?” she asked once she could breathe again.
Her mother laughed. “I’m not blind or stupid.”
“Nothing,” Robin sighed. “Nothing is going on between me and George. Not really.”
Her mother tilted her head as her eyes ran over her face. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve known George his entire life. I can remember the two of you playing, along with all the other kids, almost every year of your lives. He’s a good man. A smart one.” Her mother’s eyes narrowed. “But I also know that he’s gained a reputation in recent years as a man who won’t be tied down.”
“Mom.” She rolled her eyes. “I have my business. I’m not looking to tie anyone down. I’m too busy. If there is anything between me and anyone”—she drew that last word out—“believe me, I’m not looking for it to last. Not at this point in my life.”
Her mother seemed to relax at this. “I don’t approve of one-night stands, and I know you’re smart enough to protect—”
Robin groaned, and her mother chuckled.
“I’ll leave it at that.” Her mother touched her arm and then squeezed lightly. “Great party by the way. Really great party. I’m so very proud of you and your sister for this place.” She glanced around. “It’s one of the most romantic places.” She chuckled. “Even for a sweet-sixteen party.” Her mother leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Your dad and I are going to head home.”
“I’ll walk you out.” She took her mother’s hand. “I could use some fresh air.”
When she followed her parents outside and took in the crisp night air, she knew instantly what George had been talking about. Just feeling the cold breeze wash over her made her feel more alive. Bolder somehow.
She thought about tomorrow. Thought about what she was going to wear, what it meant that he wanted to spend the day with her. They’d made an agreement to keep things light and to keep what was between them away from others.
Of course, they’d only made that agreement a day ago and her mother had already guessed what was between them. Would others guess as easily? Had she made a mistake in agreeing to being with him?
Then her mind played over what he’d done to her last night, what they had done to one another, and a slow smile curved her lips. Whatever it had been, she wouldn’t call it a mistake.