Page 25 of Room for Improvement

They were in a public space, with people around them. If her host did transpire to be a creep, she could simply head back to her room. Her instincts told her that he wasn’t that sort of man. It still took a moment for Vivian to silence the little voice in the back of her mind, the one which tried to patiently remind her that she had thought her ex was a decent guy, and Pete had eventually shown himself to be anything but.

What did Grace call spending time with a man like Bryce? Oh, yes, a palate cleanser. Something to refresh your heart and mind after a bad breakup. Her friend usually included a night of hot sweaty sex, Grace’s words, as part of the deal, but today Vivian was simply content to let things play out. Bryce had made it clear he wasn’t expecting anything other than companionship from her, and with that in mind she decided it would be a mistake to create any further preconceptions about how the day might end.

The cabana was gorgeous. The enormous plump cushions on the loungers were divine, and the roof cover was perfect. A little California sun was a blessing, but sunburnt skin was not. After taking a few photos of the stylish poolside shelter, Vivian sat on one of the loungers. She placed her small tote bag which contained a few personal items, and her cell under the nearby table.

Bryce dropped onto the chair on the other side of her and motioned to the drinks. “Would you like a sparkling water, or could I temp you with a glass of Prosecco? I didn’t order champagne because I find the lighter bubbles are a better poolside drink.”

She couldn’t help herself, she grinned from ear to ear. It was unusual to meet a man who understood his bubbles. And the way he said bubbles had her mouth running dry. That thing with his accent was there again. It reminded her of the men she occasionally encountered at the expensive resorts, the ones whose families were regularly featured in the social pages. The private tennis club and golf set.

For heaven’s sake don’t ask him if he has a holiday home in the Hamptons.

“Prosecco please, thank you Bryce. I must confess I am a girl who loves a drink in a long, tall glass.”

A bit like her men. Standing behind Bryce in the café line earlier, Vivian had hazarded a guess that Bryce was close to six foot three. Tall, nicely built, and surprisingly single.

While he worked the cork gently out of the bottle, she posed the question which had been on her mind since breakfast. “If you don’t mind me asking, how is it that you’re still single? There must be laws of nature that prohibit such a thing when it comes to a man like you, Bryce.”

There I said it. Please don’t let him suddenly decide to mention a fiancée or a boyfriend.

The chances of anything possibly happening between them might currently be remote, but she still wanted to be able to play out the fantasy. Even if it was only in her head.

“A man like me, hmm?” Bryce arched a playful brow at her as the cork came free with a gentle pop. He picked up a glass, tilting it slightly as he poured the sparkling wine. This was a man who knew his way around a champagne flute.

What else does his know his way around? Don’t. Look. At. His. Tongue.

Flustered, Vivian brushed back a stray lock of hair which had fallen in front of her eyes. “Well, yes. You have to know you are gorgeous. I stopped and checked you out after we passed in the bar yesterday.”

He smiled. “I’m single because I spent a number of years working overseas. I travel a lot and trying to maintain any sort of relationship is difficult when I’m always moving from one place to the next. I did try the long distance thing for a year, but it was impossible. Whenever I was in town, she was away working. In the end, we decided to be friends. Some might say we both gave up.”

He handed her a drink. And another warm smile. “What about you? I’m surprised that a beautiful woman like yourself is holidaying solo. Or is there a special someone somewhere who couldn’t take the time off work to come with you?”

Vivian took a sip of her prosecco. She stared at the glass, unable to meet Bryce’s eyes. It was hard to answer this question without reliving the pain. “I was in a relationship. It ended three months ago. Turns out my prince was actually a lying wart faced frog. He not only cheated on me, but just before we split, he went on a spending spree using my credit card. He put me in a five-thousand-dollar hole, complete with a thousand bucks a year membership for a millionaire dating app. You could say that at the moment I have some real trust issues when it comes to relationships. I have always thought that loved mattered, but I’m beginning to think that for some people it doesn’t.”

It sounded funny putting it that way but laughing in the face of heartbreak was a bitter lesson she had been forced to learn. It was either that or spending every day in tears. And as much as she would like to have stayed in bed and wallow under the covers, bills had to be paid.

After the breakup with Pete, Grace had given Vivian an entire weekend to cry herself out. But first thing Monday morning, her best friend had dragged her out of bed and made Vivian get dressed and go to work. Grace’s tough love had been just what she needed.

“That’s a really rotten thing for your ex to have done. I take it you can’t cancel the subscription.”

“No. They have a no refunds policy. I expect millionaires don’t give a damn about that sort of money.” Unfortunately she did.

Vivian caught herself before she started down the spiral of self-pity. She had today to spend time with a charming, handsome man. Her ex was not going to spoil it.

Bryce held his now full glass up to hers, and they clinked. “To those of us doomed to be crossed in love, and the hope that our special someone is just around the corner.”

“As long as they are not hanging around that corner, armed with a baseball bat, waiting to mug us.”

When her cabana companion roared with laughter, Vivian found herself chuckling at her own tasteless joke. Bryce wasn’t just super sexy, he was adorable. A small sigh of disappointment escaped her lips. Why did he have to live on the other side of the country?

The more she looked at him, the hotter he became. By the end of the first bottle of wine, Vivian was convinced Bryce Jones might just become the one who got away. The one she would never have.

But what if I took the chance and at least claimed today…and tonight?

She mightn’t ever get this moment again. And if she didn’t seize it, regret would surely follow. After working free the ties on the front of her wrap, Vivian let it fall open. There was no mistaking the appreciative gaze which Bryce roamed over her bikini clad body.

“I am looking forward to our afternoon, Bryce, thank you for inviting me.”

Vivian was done with regrets. If they were still together when the sun set, and Bryce Jones asked her to share a night of sweaty, hot sex with him, she knew what she would say.

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