Page 22 of Can't Help Falling in Love
“I must have one of those faces,” he said, hoping she’d move on to another group. Though, to be polite, they should really rejoin the party.Or you could go somewhere with just the two of you.
The woman set her gaze on Lexi, smiled. “Turn around. Let’s see who you two are.”
“I’m Michelle Obama,” Will said, hoping his voice didn’t sound rude or dismissive. He’d recycled his card.
Lexi turned around and though the redhead glanced at her back, her focus went back to Will almost immediately. The interest in her eyes made him reach out, grasp Lexi’s hand as soon as she spun around.
“Hints?” Lexi asked, squeezing his hand.
“I’m not surprised you wouldn’t have a Jell-O shot. You’re very wholesome. Iamsurprised you aren’t singing ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor.’”
Whether she realized it or not, Lexi moved closer to Will, maybe recognizing this woman’s too-obvious interest in him. It made him smile and want to hug her close. He was no stranger to being hit on.He’d done an interview a few months ago in theSeattle Times,talking about working at his family’s company, being a bachelor in a busy city, and what being a wealthy man meant to him. It was supposed to be flattering. His mother had been thrilled by the recognition, but Will felt… exposed. He could talk business all day, to anyone. But that didn’t feel like the tone of the article. More than one woman had brought it up since at various social functions.
Lexi’s arm shot out and for one brief nanosecond Will thought she was going to punch the woman out of jealousy. The thought was so ridiculous he snort-laughed.
At that same moment, Lexi loudly proclaimed, “I’m Mr. Rogers!”
The group of people on the patio cheered. Lexi laughed.
“Yes! I give great clues. Nice to meet you,Mr. Rogers. I’m Carolyn.” She turned to Will. “I’m positive I know you from somewhere. I’m good with faces and yours is great.”
Lexi’s brows rose, her nose scrunching. It was such a genuine response he almost laughed out loud. Instead he squeezed her hand.
“Not sure what to say. I’m Will, if that helps. And this is myfiancée,Lexi.”
Lexi side-eyed him with a half smirk. Will bumped her with his hip, slipping an arm around her shoulder.
She turned her head and looked at him, the amusement in her gaze shining brighter than the moon.
Looking back at Carolyn, she gave a little wave. “Nice to meet you.”
Right. Enough of this. “We should get going, honey,” Will said, hoping his beseeching look would hammer the plea home.
Lexi bit her lip, then nodded and put an arm around his waist so they fit together like interlocking puzzle pieces. “Yes. Yes, we really should. Good night, Carolyn.”
Lexi turned them, maneuvering them around Carolyn and a few other guests, right through the kitchen, down the hallway, and to the closet to grab his coat and Lexi’s purse. By some unspoken agreement,they kept going, walking right out the door. It wasn’t until they were back close to her car that they stopped. They looked at each other and both released pent-up laughter.
“Wow. Let me just say, as a waitress, I get hit on frequently and some of it is pretty unpleasant but I didn’t know that happened to guys too.”
“Not usually so blatantly but when it does, it doesn’t feel great. I hate the thought of you feeling uncomfortable when you’re working.”
She turned to face him, setting her hands on his chest again like that was where they belonged. He put his hands on top of hers, holding them there.
“Do you think that’s the only place it happens?”
He frowned. “I’m not naive, and I have two sisters and a sister-in-law. I hate that it happens at all. To anyone. But I appreciate you playing along.”
Her lips lifted in a soft smile that twisted something in his chest almost pleasantly. Like when he got a massage and it hurt a bit but it also felt great.
“You saved me,” he said quietly, his tone playful.
“Now we’re even.Honey.”
God, he liked her. When was the last time he’d laughed and had this much fun? Felt this good?
“Lexi,” he said, his heart beating loud in his ears. “Go out with me again. On an actual date. Just the two of us.”
Her gaze moved down. “I don’t know, Will.”
