Page 61 of A Smooth Operator

"Can we go," Echo all but screeched.

I sighed. "Yes."

Tommy leaned against Lani, who looked like she wanted the earth to swallow her, but she smiled through it. "I'm glad, Remi, though she probably deserves better."

Echo looked at Lani in shock.

She shrugged. "It was always obvious he had a thing for you. Why do you think Marina was always trying to scratch your eyes out?"

I ushered Echo out of the large living room, decorated for the party, through the café doors into the sprawling garden where festive lights twinkled.

Echo's breathing was shaky. "I can't do this, Remi."

I took her hand in mine. "I know a place. Come with me."

"I don't want to go back inside," she whispered.

"I know. And we won't."

I pulled out my phone and texted my parents' new housekeeper. Lola had replaced Fern several years ago. She was sweet and no-nonsense and indulged me.

"Where are we going?" She looked around. "It's cold."

I took my tuxedo jacket off and wrapped it around her. I knew that the chill of the November evening would be held at bay by the warmth of the heated gazebo by the river. I steered Echo towards it, away from the curious eyes and hushed whispers of the party.

I placed a comforting hand at the small of her back. Her tension radiated through the delicate fabric of her dress.

As we walked, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot seemed to match the erratic beating of her heart. The garden was dimly lit, the path illuminated by lanterns that cast a gentle glow on the pink and red hues of her chiffon dress, making it seem as if she was floating beside me.

We walked slowly as I waited for a response from Lola, who I knew was busy with the party.

"You still cold?" I asked.

"I'm not cold. Just freaked out," she admitted.

It wasn't winter in Memphis yet, but chilly enough that you needed a light jacket. "I used to see you walk around here all the time."

"It was my escape. I know my garden is tiny, but I wanted it because your family's gardens brought me peace when I needed it most."

We came to the edge of a pathway close to the Mississippi River and stood, watching the moonlight dance on the flowing water.

I turned her to face me. "Echo, I want to kiss you. May I?"

She looked around as if worried someone might see us.

"There's no one here," I assured her.

She licked her lips. "Are you angry with me?"

"No. We need to talk so I can understand better what's goin' on inside that pretty head of yours, but I'm not angry. Not at all."

She leaned into me and kissed my jaw. "Yes, Remi, you can kiss me."

I took her hands in mine and brushed my lips on the palms of her hand, one after the other. I wanted to show her she was precious.

"I love your hands," I told her.

She smiled and cupped my cheeks with her hands. She was trembling, and I knew it wasn't because it was cold. We'd made love before, but it had been a while, and it felt new in the best way.

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