Page 97 of Succeeding Love

Vin’s scowl slipped into a confused expression. “What?” He stared down at me.

“Nothing.” I hugged myself against him. “You’re just cute.”

“Me?” He raised his eyebrows. “I look cute when I’m pissed?”

“Are you pissed?”

He shrugged, scratching the back of his head. “Wouldn’t you be?”

“Then yes,” I smiled broadly, squeezing his thick waist. “You’re definitely cute when you’re pissed.”

He chuckled at me, then bent to kiss the top of my head. “And you’re cute all the time, which I see is going to be a problem the rest of the night.”

“What kind of problem?”

He grumbled, lifting my face to his with his fingers under my chin. “The problems that invoke the less sophisticated side of me.”

“Ooh, I like the less sophisticated side of you. He’s cute when he’s pissed.”

“He’s not cute,” Vin growled playfully. “He’s a feral mother fucker.” He pretended to munch on my neck, making me giggle.

“You two look as disgustingly gross as ever,” Al Milton suddenly appeared behind my cute, feral date. If Vin wasn’t so tall, I might have noticed him earlier. “Get a room.”

“Be nice,” an attractive woman with sharp eyes and a brilliant smile gave him a disapproving look. I had seen her at these events before, but never talked to her. She smiled warmly at me, holding out her hand. “Emma Milton. You must be Lynn.”

“Hello,” I shook her hand, noticing how warm it felt. “I think I’ve seen you once or twice, but we never got to meet.”

“I believe I recall seeing you in the past. It’s a shame we were never introduced previously, but I stayed away from the,” she flashed a glance at the table where Virginia and Cecilia were mingling with Nick’s other colleagues, “the less appealing crowd. Wouldn’t want to taint my ears with the nonsense of the vain and egocentric.”

I was taken aback for a moment, but she smiled kindly before adding, “Not you, Lynn, dear.”

“She’s talking about the Leroy and Stevens firm,” Al filled me in. “My wife isn’t fond of lawyers on a good day.”

I liked the backbone of this woman. The way she held her head high and spoke her mind. I couldn’t help but giggle to myself, knowing I had felt the same way for years at these functions during the times I had to stomach Nick’s bosses’ arrogant conversations. Emma’s eyes sparkled at me, like she could sense my train of thought.

“It’s good to see you again, Em,” Vin kissed her cheek, offering her a loose hug.

“Kevin. I heard wonderful things about you in your new role. The rumors of the barbaric bailiff that tosses criminals like they weigh nothing reached even my department on the other side of the city.”

“Emma works for the school board,” Al filled me in.

“Ah,” I nodded. I see now why she has a more authoritative demeanor.

“So, tell me, Lynn. What do you do?” Emma hooked her arm in mine and walked towards the large conservatory.

“I’m a graphic designer, working from home.”

Emma and I chatted about work as we began walking through the gardens, but soon we were talking about other things, too. The flowers were in bloom, which I had to stop and appreciate. I love the gardens here, but haven’t been in a while.

Emma was warm and laughed often. When I leaned too far over one of the koi ponds and almost fell in, she burst into a fit of giggles, trying to hide them behind her hand, watching Vin catch me at the last minute. It probably looked comical seeing this big, burly man lift me by my waist right before my nose touched the water. I may or may not have squealed like a monkey, too.

“Oh, Kevin,” Emma kept laughing behind her hand. “She is absolutely lovely. I don’t think you could have picked a better match. Adorable.” Emma pinched my cheek while Vin was still holding me. “I just want to put you in my purse and take you home.”

“I’ll fight you for her,” Vin grumbled, helping to set me on my unstable feet.

“I’m sure you would,” Emma smirked, with that sharp gleam in her eyes.

“I told you.” Al elbowed her while sending me a wink.

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