Page 11 of Forgotten Desires

Oh, no. That’s so not a good idea. “I’m really tired,” I try as an excuse.

“Okay, we’ll sit at the table and talk.”

Shit.

“Actually, I think I might have to help with my nieces or nephew. You know, kid duty,” I try for another way out of this.

“I’ll go with. I love kids.”

That makes me pause. “You love kids? Since when?”

I remember a very in-depth conversation where he explicitly said he was never having kids.

“Dance with me and we’ll talk . . .” He extends his hand.

There’s no way the people of this town aren’t paying attention to this. Not only because they’re nosey as hell, but because he’s new here and I’m sure people know he’s Rowan’s boss. So, I have no choice really.

I smile, place my hand in his, and let him lead me to the dance floor.

“I remember the first time we danced,” Crew says with a smile.

“We didn’t have music then.”

“No, we had just our heartbeats and the ocean.”

It was my favorite song.

I don’t say it. I won’t say it because that will make me sound ridiculous, and I’m pretty sure I’ve done that already.

“Well, we have music now at least.”

Crew’s blue eyes stay on mine. “I liked our song better.”

My stomach tightens and I swear I could swoon as though I was in a regency novel. Lord help me.

I clear my throat, plaster on my smile, and decide we need to get off the topic of us and the past and focus on him. That will at least be easy. “So, it seems you’re doing well?”

“I am. I work a lot, but . . . it goes with the territory of owning five companies.”

“Five?” I ask with surprise.

“I have a new tech start-up that took off very quickly, Knight Food Distribution, and three companies that support both of those, which instantly doubles my profits and also provides help to other companies.”

“Leaves very little time for a life.”

He nods slowly and pulls me a little closer to avoid someone who was about to bump into me. His cologne fills my senses and I want to melt into him. He smells the same—tobacco with a hint of vanilla and bourbon. It’s sexy and warm, and I remember wanting to bathe in it.

That scent that clung to my pillow after that night. I took that pillow home with me and slept on it until the scent disappeared, just like he did.

“A lot has changed in ten years,” Crew says, pulling me away from my thoughts.

“Yes, I figured. And a lot’s changed for me too.”

And yet I’m here, like a ninny, remembering a spring break romance.

“Some things feel the same though, don’t they?”

I nod. “Some.”