Page 33 of The Singles Club

“Ah, but Cary could be funny too. There’sArsenic and Old Lace.”

“That’s a great movie.” She laughed. “And he played the nerdy type inBringing Up Baby.”

“Katharine stole the show in that one.”

“She did.”

Before we knew it, we were done with our after-dinner coffees, and the check had arrived. I didn’t want this night to end. I’d forgotten how much I missed this kind of interaction… and it was refreshing to find someone who loved the classics like I did.

The car ride home was quiet for the most part, but it didn’t feel at all uncomfortable. There was a moment her hand brushed mine, and I had the deepest urge to hold it. When we got to Vivian’s place, I walked her to the front door of her building.

“Thank you for dinner… and for the Hermès bag.”

“Isabella deserved that one for using me in her little bet,” I joked.

But in this moment, the way Vivian looked up at me, how the light hit her face… I was glad for that bet, even if she was leaving for Paris.

“If this were a real date,” Vivian’s voice was soft and soothing, “this is the part where you say you had a nice night and would love to do it again sometime.”

Before I could stop them, the words flowed out of me in a near whisper. “I had a wonderful time, and I would love to do it again.”

“Me too,” she said. “Now, step closer.”

I did.

“If I was your real date, this is when you’d kiss me.”

She cupped her hand to my jaw, and my heart swelled in my chest at her touch. I didn’t have the will power to stop it… but it didn’t matter. I wanted her to kiss me. The sensation of warmth and the softness of her lips overwhelmed every inch of me. Breathless. The kind of kiss worthy of Grace Kelly and Cary Grant inTo Catch a Thief.

We slowly pulled away, and she cleared her throat. “You see? Easy. Now you don’t have to worry about getting back into the dating scene again.”

Wait. What?

“Thanks for the tip,” I said, still feeling the rush of that kiss lingering on my lips.

She tucked her purse under her arm. “Goodnight, Justin… and good luck with your new business venture.”

This goodnight sounded more final than I wanted it to be.

“You as well.” I headed down the stairs, my gut telling me that kiss had been a lot more real than she was letting on. But when I turned around, the door was already closing behind her.

8

Back in the Saddle Again

Vivian

The moment I was out of sight, I leaned against the lobby wall to catch my breath. That kiss. All I could see were the fireworks going off during the kiss scene between Grace Kelly and Cary Grant inTo Catch a Thief.

What was I thinking?

I hadn’t planned to actually kiss him.

But the moment took over and those intense eyes, that jawline. My fingertips still tingled at the thought of tracing its edge… or moving down to his waist, running my hands up his bare chest. Two years and no sex!Gawd,the pent-up sexual tension would be incredible.

Heat flushed across my skin, and I fanned myself with my purse.

It was the dopamine. Too much serotonin… andlotsof estrogen. Lust and attraction. A double whammy. That’s all it was.