A Convenient Proposal(72)
“I like it. Griff thought he might want something different, I think. Or somewhere different. That was one of the issues between him and Zelda. But since you’ve been here, I’m getting the feeling he sees himself settling down.”
Arden blinked hard. “I think he’s seen his hometown in a new light. Less of a burden, more of a blessing.”
“His mother and I would like that.” The song came to a close and Jake slowed their steps to a halt. Then, to Arden’s surprise, he bent low over her hand, pressing a kiss on her knuckles. “And we thank you,” he said.
Speechless with astonishment and emotion, Arden returned to their table with her dance partner this time, instead of running off to the restroom. Jake made sure she had champagne, then solicited his wife’s hand for the next dance, and they left her alone at the table for a moment. As she scanned the crowd, she couldn’t find Griff. But his sisters were mingling at different places around the ballroom. Dana, in her bright orange gown, was talking to friends whose sons played soccer with her own. Lauren, wearing bright blue, was deep in discussion with her best friend, probably about a new cooking venture they hoped to launch on the internet. Kathy seemed to be showing off her elegant maternity evening dress in green silk to a circle of mothers-to-be. Not that she had much of a bump to accommodate.
The sight of women with round bellies foretold of the babies to come drove a knife through Arden’s heart. She had known this evening would be hard—and the worst was yet to come. But maybe she could go to the restroom for a few minutes, while the rest of them were occupied, and regain some measure of strength and self-control.
She met with a number of delays on her way to the ballroom doorway, as people she’d come to know stopped her to comment about the wedding, the gowns, the food…. Arden felt more desperate with each encounter, but forced herself to stay calm. Finally, she did cross the threshold and, with a last glance over her shoulder, turned toward the restrooms.
Only to run straight into Griff. “I was just coming to get you,” he said. He wasn’t smiling. “Would you like to sit down for a while in relative peace?”
Calm poured over her like cool water. “That sounds nice. I’m hoarse from talking.”
With his hand at her waist, he walked down the hallway—past the lounge and the restrooms, all the way to the end, where he opened a door. “I think we’ll be safe in here. Most folks aren’t interested in the sunroom after dark.”
Arden stepped in and gasped. “They don’t know what they’re missing.” Furnished with wicker chairs and ceiling fans, the room had been constructed with huge windows taking the place of walls. The sills were low enough to be stepped over, leading guests out to the garden beyond.
Of course, tonight that garden was covered with snow. An inch more had fallen since they’d left the church, and the landscape illumined by the tall outdoor lights resembled New England more than the sunny South.
“Add a sleigh and some reindeer and we could make our own Christmas card.” Griff spoke from somewhere off to the side. “I’ve never seen it quite so pretty.”
She looked at him and he came toward her and took one of her hands in his, holding it lightly.
“I’ve never known such a beautiful woman.” He kissed the back of it and then, to her surprise, released her and turned away.
“Griff?”
He stood staring out one of the windows. “Most of all, I have never allowed myself to be duped by anyone the way I have with you.”
She realized all at once that the room was ice-cold. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been a woman of mystery from the beginning. That was part of your charm, I guess, especially after I’d been dumped by a girl I’d known since grade school.”
He looked over his shoulder. “Is this a game you play with every man who wanders into your life? Or am I just really stupid?”
“Don’t say that. I’ve never been with another man like…like this.”
“I should be grateful for that, I suppose. If it’s true.” He turned to her, grim-faced, his spine straight and stiff. “You have kept so many secrets, I don’t know if I can trust even one piece of information you’ve given me.”
“Everything you know about me is true.”
“Ah, there’s the justification. I get it—you simply lie by omission. That’s a fine line you walk, Ms. Burke.”