Page 36 of Head Over Heels

I unzip the back of the dress and pass it to her. "Either way, we'll look good together."

"That we will," she says, slipping it over her head. "Now zip me up so we can get out of here."

She's quiet in the car on the way to the fundraiser—unusually so.

When I pull into the parking area, I turn to look at her. "Are you okay?"

She blinks rapidly. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

I raise an eyebrow in surprise. "Because I almost fucked you up against the wall of your closet, and you've been acting like a teenager who got caught in the backset of the car."

She blushes. It's an adorable look on her. "I don't normally lose control of myself like that. That's all. I'm sorry."

I fight back a laugh. "You didn't hear me complaining." I study her for a second. "Florence. It's okay. Don't get awkward about this." I cup her cheek, brushing my thumb softly against it. "When we get out of this car, we're a couple. When we get home later, we can talk about your feelings. I promise. But I also promise that we're okay." I trace her bottom lip with my thumb. "Now will you kiss me?"

"Do you want me to?" she whispers.

"I do." I want her to do more than that. It's been so long since I've touched someone who made me feel this alive. I was actually disappointed the other day when she said she needs an emotional attachment.

She cups my face and kisses me gently. "Let's go find Renna and make this thing public."

I text Mel to let her know we've arrived. She responds right away; she and Renna are on the north side of the grounds, where Renna's signing autographs for the fundraiser. She has a stack of photos and books from her championship season.

"How did she organize this so fast?" Florence asks me, tentatively taking my hand as we head that way.

"She keeps boxes of photos and books at home. She always pushes for free copies when she signs new contracts. Or rather, her agent does."

As we round the corner, a big bulky guy steps in front of us. "Ladies. You'll have to get in line with everyone else."

I blink. "Oh, we're not here for autographs. We're here with Renna and Dr. Hardy—Mel."

He frowns, but before he can respond, Florence lights up. "Fabio!" She turns to me. "He's on my security detail when I go to public events."

"Ma'am?" He still looks uncertain.

"Florence. Pietra." She straightens her posture.

"Oh. Of course, ma'am. I didn't recognize you in street clothes."

"This is my fiancée, Fabio. Josie Mueller. She teaches brain surgeons at the medical school."

"Neurology," I correct her.

"Which is what brain surgeons study," she says pointedly, taking me by the elbow. "Renna and Mel are expecting us. Go verify. We'll wait here."

Before he has a chance to, though, Mel is already coming over. "It's fine, Fredrick. They're with us." She gives him an exasperated look. "I amnotcalling you Fabio."

He grunts in amusement. "Doctor." He motions for us to pass.

Renna jumps up to give us quick hugs before turning to the line of about twenty girls, most with a friend and a parent or two in tow. "You've met my soon-to-be wife, Mel. These are our friends Josie—Dr. Mueller—and Florence Pietra. Ms. Pietra runs the University Hospital. If any of you are interested in business, you should talk to her. If you're interested in neurology or becoming a doctor, talk to Dr. Mueller."

A little girl near the front frowns. "What's nurlogy?"

Renna grins and taps her temple. "Do you know what's inside your head?"

"Her head is empty," calls the girl next to her, a few years older than her.

"Is not! Mybrainis in there. That's what helps me think. It helps me remember my times tables, too. Too bad yours doesn't work as well as mine." She sticks her tongue out at her sister.

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