A Convenient Proposal(54)
“My hero,” she insisted, then fell deeply asleep.
THAT WORD STAYED WITH Griff all day Sunday and through the work week.
Hero. What did it say about Arden’s feelings? Had she started to love him?
Or was he setting himself up to take another fall? Had he found the right woman…or made a fool out of himself once again? He couldn’t just ask her outright. Not while she was sick, and once she recovered, not just any old time—with his parents listening at dinner, or when Arden brought a huge, specially ordered lunch to the office on Wednesday as a way of saying thanks to Jake for helping find Igor.
And even though he and Arden spent the evenings together, Griff—for once in his life—didn’t want to push too hard. With a month to go before Valentine’s Day, he would prefer not to know if she thought of their relationship in terms of room, board and terrific sex. Not while he was doing whatever he could to transform their contract into commitment.
The weekend after Igor’s great escape presented them the perfect opportunity to show off their “romance” at the Morgan’s dinner dance, held in the country club. Griff was determined to be on his best behavior. No veiled insults or smart comments, no stalking out. No dagger-sharp looks. Just a polite evening spent being attentive to the woman he came with. The woman he loved.
Arden made that a simple task. She opened the door at the cottage wearing a close-fitting dress the color of thunderclouds, sprinkled with crystal beads like raindrops. “You look gorgeous,” he said, after swallowing hard. “I’ll be the envy of every man in the room.”
She inclined her head with the grace of a princess. “Thank you, kind sir. You’re dressed quite nicely as well. A dinner jacket becomes you.”
“Maybe we’ll win a trophy for Best Couture,” he joked. “Or they’ll name us king and queen of the ball.”
She cleared her throat. “I think that position’s already taken.”
Griff snapped his fingers. “Oh, right. Zelda and Al are the guests of honor. We’ll have to settle for second place.”
Arden gazed at him for a moment. “I guess we will.” A click of toenails at the end of the hallway advertised Igor’s approach. “I’ll put him in the sunroom and then I’m ready to go.”
“He’s holding a grudge,” Griff said when she returned, wearing a black wool coat over her gown. “I still can’t get near him without those lips curling.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” She waited on the sidewalk as he opened the door of the Jag. “I guess he’s just possessive.”
It occurred to Griff to wonder how Igor would react to a baby as part of their household, but that would be the wrong question to ask at the beginning of the evening. And since the doctor had diagnosed Arden with the flu, there didn’t appear to be anything to worry about on that score. Yet.
He had timed their arrival at the club a little on the late side, to avoid the possibility of encountering Zelda and Al without other people around. The line for valet parking moved smoothly tonight and they pulled right up to the entrance staircase.
“Trip Morgan was only a couple of years ahead of me in high school,” Griff told Arden as they climbed the steps. “He’s a big wheel with insurance, has an office in Atlanta and another one in Charlotte. His wife and Zelda are best friends.”
The Morgans stood at the door to the ballroom. “Hey, Griff.” Trip had a strong grip, which he practiced several times a week on the golf course. “Glad to have you back in town.”
“Thanks. This is my friend, Arden Burke.”
Trip’s sandy eyebrows rose high on his forehead. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Arden. Thank you for coming. Kayli, it’s Griff and Arden Burke.”
Ice coated his wife’s greeting. “Welcome, Griff.” Kayli offered her fingertips, but he’d barely touched them when she jerked her hand away. “It nice to meet you, Ms. Burke.” Before Arden could smile, Kayli turned to the next person in line.
“Ouch,” Arden said, moving away. “I believe I’ve developed frostbite.”
“We could leave.” Griff halted just inside the door. “You don’t deserve that kind of treatment.”
She shook her head. “We’re here to show off, remember? Let’s dance.”
Her reference to their arrangement left him feeling cold, but he managed a bow. “Your wish is my command.”