Page 3 of Scandalous Lover

He’s aged well—like, so well—and I can't take my eyes off him. His dark brown hair now has salt and pepper at the temples, and charming smile lines crease his eyes and cheeks. He’s…gorgeous.

Shit, how long have I been staring?

I look away quickly and suck down my drink.

“It’s okay. I know what you mean. It wasn’t my first choice to be here either, but I’m finding it pretty difficult to meet anyone on the island. One of our vendors lives in the city and set me up with this event, so I figured, what the heck. At the very least, I might get to talk to someone who isn’t my employee for a few minutes.”

He cocks his head and tosses me another disarming smile. I can feel myself leaning forward just to get closer to him and try to stop…but I can’t.

“And what do you know? I run into little Naomi.”

The blush that shoots across my face is so hot I nearly fan myself.

Did these sweater ladies get closer in the last minute?

“Well, I’m happy to have run into you. Are you in town for a while? I’m a bit of a local expert. I’d love to take you around and show you what Austin has to offer.” I can almost hear the desperation in my voice.

Look at me, I’m an adult now. Hang out with me.

If anything could ever bring back the feeling of growing up lonely on the big New York estate, it’s this feeling right here. Theplease pay attention to mefeeling.

Sam just shoots me that smile again.

I’m dead. Literally.

“I fly out of Houston tomorrow, but I don't have any plans for tonight. Well, other than this.”

I pull my notebook out so fast I elbow not one but bothsweater ladies, earning me matching glares. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you when it's over.”

“We’ll both be here when it’s over.”

“Just in case.” I’ve got to keep it together, but try telling that to the little girl I’ve become. I can almost feel the hot sun of a New York summer, smell the grass, and feel the cool lake water as it dries on my skin.

I’m definitely sweating.

Sam pulls the notebook across the table and jots his number down. When he slides it back, I grip the flimsy pages to my chest like a treasure.

The timer goes off, and I jump a foot, earning more glares from either side. “Dang. That was really short.”

“Speed dating, I guess.”

I’m not ready to say goodbye, not with the way he’s been looking at me, but he’s already sliding down the bench to the next lucky lady. With his eyes locked on mine.

“See you later,” I mouth silently.

He just grins and gives me a wink before turning his attention to his new date like a perfect gentleman.

OH. MY. GOD.

Sam freaking Griffin. One of my brother’s best friends and business partners. What are the odds? I’m about to pull my phone out and start doing what I do best—googling him and posting all about my fantastic speed date blast from the past—when a voice cuts through my ecstatic celebration.

“Hi, I’m Mike.”

I look up from my phone and reality comes crashing down on me like the stupid ice bucket challenge I got talked into.

I steal a quick glance down the bench, trying to count how many of these “Mikes” I’m going to have to suffer through before I getSam back.

“And you’re Naomi, I see.”

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