Page 18 of The Kiss Countdown

She sticks out her bottom lip in a pout, and I let out a sigh. “I can’t make any promises.”Vincent and I are strangers, and my words have no sway over him.“But I’ll strongly insist that he consider it.”

“Thank you so much!”

On the way back, Camille gets pulled aside by one of the guests and motions me ahead. Vincent and Lance are still in the same spot chatting, but now both men face the crowd. Vincent’s eyes continually scan the area, and when they land on me, my heart trips at the way he lights up. Like he’s been looking for me his whole life. It may sound absurd, but I can’t think of the last time someone looked that excited to see me.

“Where’s Camille?” Vincent says when I get closer.

I will my heart steady and point my thumb behind me. “Hostess duties called.”

“Uh-oh,” Lance says when he spots her. “She got held up by Noelle. Sweet lady, but she’ll never let Camille go without catching her up on everyone and their momma’s business. And now she’s giving me hersave me or diestare. Off I go.”

I smile as Lance winks and heads for Camille.

Once we’re alone, I raise my eyebrows at Vincent. “How’d we do?”

He beams down at me, looking equal parts happy and relieved. “Perfect. You were perfect. Assuming my sister didn’t ambush you with a million questions?”

His smile is contagious, and I can’t help but match its energy. “No ambushes.”

“Good.”

We’re both staring at each other, and I notice how two small lines appear at the corners of Vincent’s eyes. He also has a small, barely there dimple on his left cheek that hardly stands out against his five-o’clock shadow. He’s clearly over the moon about his cover remaining in place, and I’m pretty pleased too. We nailed our fake relationship. I may not have everything in my life figured out, but I still have my people skills.

Someone bumps into me, and I stumble forward, bracing my hands on Vincent’s chest.

He steadies me with his hands on my upper arms. “Are you okay?”

His hands are hot against my skin, and there’s something so secure in being pressed close to his body as he holds me up. His eyes scan my face, stopping at my lips. Instinctively, I lick them and my heart beats so hard I feel it in my throat. I curl my fingers into his jacket, preparing to feel his mouth against mine. But then he drops his hands and pulls back so suddenly cold air whips at me. It’s such a contrast from the heat previously blazing between us, I’m surprised our breaths aren’t puffs of fog.

What is happening here? This is a fake date.Fake.

Wishing I had a drink or something to occupy my hands, I reach for the small diamond pendant on my necklace and take a small step back. “I’m fine. Thanks for the save.”

Vincent regards me, regret lurking behind his eyes. I look past him and into the distance where illuminated blue letters from the aquarium dominate a portion of the skyline, not allowing myself to feel anything but relief thathe didn’t go in for the kiss I could swear everything in his body said he wanted. It’s not like we’re a real couple.

Vincent opens his mouth, but before he can get anything out, I gesture behind him. “Do you want to check out the gardens?”

He looks at me a beat longer before dipping his head in a nod. “Sure.”

We stray from the dancers and refreshments to follow one of the concrete paths. Here, there are no balloons or people we’re forced to squeeze between. It’s just Vincent and me hidden behind raised garden beds filled with bushes and flowers, with lit-up buildings in the distance. It all feels very clandestine,like a real date, and I realize this was the exact wrong path to take if I want to keep some distance from him. When I look at Vincent, however, he seems content to stroll as we pass a line of palm trees and short shrubs. Maybe I’m the only one who’s wound up right now. I need to try to loosen up, like Gina said, and enjoy my night out. Lord knows tomorrow will bring a new set of challenges.

“Look.” I point to a concrete staircase as we round a corner. “There’s our escape in case of emergency.”

Vincent lets out a relieved “Hallelujah” and looks at me, eyes twinkling, when I can’t help but laugh.

Biting down on my lip, I turn away and dip my finger in a large fountain full of cool running water.

“So you’re an event planner, huh?” he says. “No wonder those clocks and candle decorations had you so hypnotized.”

“They’re called centerpieces, Vincent.”

“Right,” he says with a half grin, and I get the feeling he already knew that. “How long have you been in the industry?”

“Going on nine years now. I originally started as an assistant at my old company and planned my way to the top one event at a time until I was their most requested coordinator.” I let out a satisfied sigh, thinking of the numerous Employee of the Quarter awards I received with certificates to spas or restaurants.

“Old company? Did you start your own business?”

I wrap my arms around my middle. “Yeah, I did.”

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