Page 115 of My Secret Bandit

“Wait! We didn’t take a picture. We can’t let this happen without a picture to prove it.” His smile grew as he motioned to our outfits.

Back at the front steps, he called out to the first person he saw.

“Diane!” He held his phone out to her. “Can you take a couple of pictures of us please?”

“Sure thing, honey.” She took his phone and aimed it in our direction.

“Do you trust me?” he grinned, the Xander I was used to back in full force.

“Well, Mr. Brooks, you haven’t let me down so far,” I said, the depth of my words not lost on either of us.

He pulled me in front of a wall of greenery and flowers. “Diane, get her spinning.”

With my hand still in his, raised above my head, my world became a blur. The bottom of my dress billowed out like the Disney princesses I grew up watching as I twirled.

He caught me against him, smiling at the goofy grin that spread itself across my face.

“Okay, one more then we can be done.”

We stood side by side as Diane snapped the last picture.

After she finished, I turned to hug Xander.

“Now that one is a keeper,” Diane beamed, turning the phone toward us. She’d captured one last picture. With my arms under his and up to hold the backs of his shoulders, his head tipped down, hands cupped against my jawline, he pressed a protective kiss to the top of my head.

“You’re not lying,” Xander smiled, then thanked her.

“Thank you for making tonight bearable,” I said, looping my arm around his once more as we walked to his car.

“Anytime.”

Under the dim glow above the parking lot, the outline of Xander’s precious Claudia waited for us in all her leather and horse-powered glory.

It took a few more steps for my eyes to adjust enough to make out the dark silhouette leaning against the side of her.

Mylungsseizedatthe sight of Mateo. My feet cemented to the earth. I contemplated leaving, turning back for the still crowded ballroom. At least there I’d have somewhere to hide. Maybe call Sierra or one of the boys to help me make my getaway.

“You showed up.” Knowingly or not, Xander stepped into a protective position between me and Mateo.

“Don’t get much past you.”

Mateo stood crutch-free, brace-free, all evidence of his injury gone. The only remains were the scars I knew hid beneath his black jeans and the attitude he developed after surgery.

“Jameson.” His voice took on a softer note, so close to the one I fell in love with. Yards separated us and my body longed to be closer. He’d only said my name, and yet electrical charges went from my toes to my fingertips, and the goosebumps he used to cause reappeared. “Can I talk to you, please?”

They both watched me, waiting for my answer.

A myriad of thoughts hit me at once.

All the cards were in my hands. Should I tell him no? To try a different day? Or never? Should I say yes, hear him out and hope that whatever he says is enough to mend us?

“After I talk to Xander.” Calling on every ounce of courage, I found my voice and finally met his eyes.

Under the night sky they looked darker than I remembered, but the anger there last time was gone. Dark circles under them caused my chest to tighten. The evidence of his sleepless nights matched mine, and that nearly broke me. The shadow of his stubble only highlighted the fact that his skin wasn’t as bright as it once was. Even his body looked different. His muscles were leaner. He looked slimmer almost.

None of it did anything to diminish his beauty, though. He still looked as gorgeous tonight as he did when I first saw him.

He didn’t say anything. His only reaction was a raise of his eyebrows as I took Xander’s hand into mine.

---