Collide (Collide, #1)(87)

“Can’t say I’d disagree with you on that,” Olivia laughed and strolled over to him. “Come on, old man. I’ll show you how we younglings do it.”

Chuckling, Chad placed a kiss upon his wife’s cheek and led Olivia out onto the dance floor.

“You look beautiful this evening, Emily,” Lillian said, taking a seat next to her. “I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Blake, so do you. And I am enjoying myself. Everything’s spectacular.”

“Tsk-tsk,” she laughed, patting Emily’s hand. “Remember, Mrs. Blake makes me feel old. But I’m happy you’re having a good time.”

Emily smiled. “Thank you, Lillian.”

“You do look beautiful tonight, Mom.” Gavin rose from his seat and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I may have to keep an eye on you to make sure no other man steals you away from Dad.”

Looking up to him, she cupped her hand over his. “You’ve always been my biggest fan, Gavin,” she trilled with an adorning smile. “But, really, sweetheart, after thirty-five years of marriage, I’m not going anywhere. It’s pretty safe to say your father doesn’t have to worry about that.”

“Doesn’t have to worry about what?” Colton asked, approaching the table with a drink in hand.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Your brother’s just being overprotective,” she laughed, rising to her feet. “Where’s Melanie?”

Colton pointed over his shoulder. “She’s out in the lobby, calling the babysitter to check on the kids.”

“Perfect timing then,” Lillian replied as she locked arms with Colton. “Care to dance with the woman who brought you into this world?”

“Certainly.” He tossed back the rest of his drink. “I’ll try my hardest not to step on your toes.”

As son and mother whisked off to the dance floor, Gavin looked to Emily. “Would you like to dance?”

Biting her lip, Emily glanced around the ballroom and then back up to him. “Dance, huh?”

“Yes, dance,” he chuckled. “I promise I’ll be good.”

“That I highly doubt, but I’ll trust you this one last time.” He laughed as she removed the napkin from her lap. Standing up, she smiled. “But I must warn you, I’m probably no better than your brother is.”

“That’s impossible,” he said, smiling. “Just wait here a second. I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and watched as he strolled over to the band. He spoke with the lead singer for a few moments and then made his way back over to her, a mischievous smile running across his face.

“Why do you look like you’re up to something?” she asked, cocking a brow.

His dimpled smile widened as he reached for her hand, tucking it in the crook of his arm. “That would be because I am up to something.”

“And what would you be up to?”

Leading her out to the dance floor, he remained silent, but the smile on his face never faltered.

“Gavin,” she laughed.

“Emily.”

“What are you up to?”

He waited until the band struck up the chords to his request. “Do you listen to jazz?” he asked as he placed a hand on the small of her back. Lacing his other hand with hers, he tucked it against his chest and drew her into him.

Taken aback by their very close proximity, it took her a second to gather her thoughts. “Umm, yes, I have before. My grandmother used to listen to it while she cooked.”

“Mmm, are you familiar with this song?”

“I don’t know the name of it or the singer,” she answered, fighting to ignore how enticing he smelled. “But I do recall remembering how beautiful it was the first time I heard it.”

Looking down at her, he smiled as they swayed back and forth. “It’s called ‘La Vie en Rose,’ and the singer’s Louis Armstrong.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“It is. And this is what I was up to,” he whispered into her ear.

Trying to catch her breath, she bit her lip. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve pictured us dancing together to this very song.”

“You have?” she asked, attempting to hide any hint of shock in her voice at his confession. She then inwardly laughed at herself, considering the confessions she’d made to him.

“Yes, I have. So thank you very much for this dance.”

“You’re welcome.” She could see the look in his eyes—the same one that nearly drowned her into him every time he stared at her like that. She averted her gaze over to his parents where they, too, were dancing. “It’s amazing that they’ve been together so long. It’s almost impossible to believe a love that strong exists.”

Gavin studied her face as she watched his parents. Something in her voice and eyes ached to have something deeper than what she had with Dillon. It was then that Gavin knew he needed to wake up with her lying next to him, longing to see what shade of green her eyes were when they were still lazy with sleep. He wanted her hair tangled in a mess and draped over his strong arms when he woke up to her smiling up at him. In the coldest of winters where blankets didn’t provide her body enough warmth, he wanted to be that warmth. Most of all, he wanted Emily to fall in love with him. It was more than a desire for her body; it was his need for her heart and soul. If he could have one night with her, Gavin was sure he’d be able to convince her that they were made for one another.