Page 8 of Surrender
She sighed, smiling wistfully. “That’s so romantic. Marrying your best friend. Someone you’ve known your whole life.”
He nodded, quietly, still watching her.
There was a flicker in her eyes then, a glint of something a little sad, a little unresolved. Before he could comment, she glanced up.
“You’ve been introduced to Sondra, right?”
“Yeah. A couple of times. She’s Darcie’s best friend, isn’t she? They’re both so lovely. Darcie is so warm and so beautiful. I mean, she’s got the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. And Sondra? I thought she was a model the first time I saw her. The way she moves… she just sort of floats through a room. So graceful and…” She caught herself rambling and looked sheepish. “Sorry. You know what they look like. I don’t have to tell you.”
Keefe smirked. “Sondra’s got presence, that’s for sure. But she’s also normal—sort of—once you get to know her. You should give her a call sometime. I bet you’d get on.”
“You think I should?”
“I think you’d enjoy it. And I don’t want you stuck here feeling like you’re on your own.”
She bit her lip. “It’s not that. Not really. It’s just funny how things follow you, you know? I look back now and wonder how I missed the signs that my ex was leaving me. They were all there—every single one. But I couldn’t see them until it was too late.”
There was a beat of quiet.
Ginny looked up. Keefe was staring at her with a soft gaze. “What?”
“Sorry,” he said. “Has anyone ever told you you have cow eyes?”
“Yes. And I hate it,” Ginny said flatly.
“It’s a compliment.”
“You just called me a cow.”
“No,” Keefe chuckled. “I said you have cow eyes. Big, soft, warm. Have you ever looked a cow in the eye?”
“Well, I don’t usually go around staring at livestock, no.”
“You should. They’re adorable.”
“They are?”
He nodded earnestly. “Next time you walk past a cow, really look. I promise you’ll melt.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Fine. But if I fall in love with a cow, I’m blaming you. And if I stop eating steak, I’ll be holding you personally responsible.” Ginny laughed, shaking her head. “Well, I’m beat. Dining room’s tidy. The cleaner’s coming early.”
Keefe nodded. “Thanks. Goodnight, Ginny.”
She turned to go, then paused. “Keefe?”
“Yeah?”
She looked like she might say something—working up the nerve—then changed her mind. “That game pie you made today was delicious. You should make it again soon.” A softer smile. “You won’t be alone for long if you do.”
He looked at her properly then, the overhead light catching the shine in her eyes. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you this past week.”
“You’d have managed,” she teased. “Maybe.”
“Makes me think we might survive the next three weeks unsupervised.”
They shared a quiet smile, the silence between them softer now.
“Well… goodnight. See you tomorrow.”
