Page 152 of No Such Thing as Serendipity

I snorted and started to respond when I noticed Robyn standing in the doorway across the room. My stomach fluttered. When our eyes met, I forgot my injuries and jumped from the stage. My knee reminded me as soon as I landed. But no amount of pain would deter me from getting to her.

As I approached, I couldn’t read the myriad emotions lying behind her eyes. I was so fixated on her face; I didn’t notice her outfit until I was almost to her. My eyes widened when I took in her sleek black dress. When I reached her, my cheeks were on fire, which only made my road rash burn more.

“My god, you look amazing.” It wasn’t eloquent, but I couldn’t help myself.

She gave me a half smile but put her arm over her chest and grasped her opposite elbow. No doubt it was a protective stance. My chest tightened. As I feared, I’d caused her reaction. I wantedto take her in my arms and reassure her everything would be okay.

Fuck it.I opened my arms. “I missed you. Do I get a hug?”

I braced for her answer. Regardless, I wouldn’t let her reaction sway me.

She stared at me for a beat, and then her arm dropped to her side. “Okay.” Her voice held little conviction, but I’d take it.

As I stepped toward her, she put her hand on my chest and scowled. “What did you do to yourself?”

“Oh, this?” I touched my cheek, which had crusted over. “I had a disagreement with the pavement. I lost.”

The apprehension in Robyn’s eyes disappeared as her fingertips brushed my wound. If my tumble erased the doubt in Robyn’s eyes, I’d gladly take the fall a million times over.

Her soft touch tickled my cheek. “What happened?”

“I tripped over some loose pavement while I was out for my morning run.”

Her eyes narrowed. “When did you get in?”

Fuck.I wouldn’t lie to her. “Last night.”

“Oh.”

It was amazing how much a single word could convey. I needed to turn this around. “It’ll all make sense—soon.”

“What are you playing at?” Wariness replaced the compassion in Robyn’s eyes.

Her words twisted in my gut. “Please, Robyn. Do you trust me?”

She studied me for several seconds before her gaze dropped to the floor. “I do.” Her voice was low, so I could barely hear it over the din of the surrounding conversations.

“Did you just say you do?”

She looked up, and our eyes locked. “Yes.”

“Thank you.” I put my hand on my chest. “You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.” I took a deep breath. “I really, really love you, and seeing the pain in your eyes is killing me.”

She looked toward the stage.

I glanced over my shoulder, and my gaze landed on Dana, who was just coming down the stairs to the stage.

“Oh, god, Robyn.” I took her hand. “Do you think? No!”

“But—”

“I’m so sorry if I made you doubt how I feel about you for even a minute. There’s so—”

Vera tapped on the microphone and cut off my words when she said, “Welcome, everyone! We’re happy to have so many in attendance tonight. First….”

Once Vera interrupted our conversation with her welcome speech, there was no more opportunity for Robyn and me to talk. After the opening remarks, my villa mates swept us away to the buffet line. Robyn sat next to me at dinner, but with the lively discussion at our table and visitors dropping by, especially those seeking Robyn, privacy was impossible.

While Robyn was radiant and gracious with everyone who approached, tension bubbled just under the surface. It was the strain I’d caused. As she talked with others, I studied her and fell even more in love. I hoped I’d have the opportunity to see where it could lead.