A Cosmic Kind of Love(30)
A few people murmured, “Thank you for your service” in my direction, and I nodded to acknowledge them, even though it was still discomfiting to have a face that strangers knew.
A man and his date approached me, and I braced myself. “Where did you get the beer?” he asked.
Relaxing, I tipped my head toward a server. “I just asked.”
Servers mingled unobtrusively with the guests to offer them flutes of champagne and canapés. I wasn’t in the mood for champagne. I wasn’t a champagne kind of guy.
Looking up at the ceiling of the tent, I realized it wasn’t an average outdoor awning. This thing was wired with electricity. Large brass chandeliers and lanterns hung above our heads. Round tables were positioned inside the tent. Smaller lanterns sat in the middle of the tables, along with white floral arrangements. The decor was classy, simple, and unfussy. Just like Darcy.
Hallie had nailed it.
Speaking of . . .
I kept searching the crowds, hoping to spot the pink-haired event planner.
“You showed.”
At the sound of her husky, familiar voice, I tensed and then forced myself to relax and turn to her.
“Darcy.”
She hadn’t changed. Still beautiful.
I suddenly saw her again in my memories, that night we first met four years ago. I was serving as an exchange officer with the US Navy and working as a test pilot for Patuxent River Naval Air Station. When I met Darcy, I’d just been selected to train to become an astronaut. She thought this was fascinating. I thought she was fascinating. Her confidence was incredibly appealing. While Darcy was privileged, she was aware of her privilege. She didn’t apologize for it, but she was also cognizant of the fact that she had a responsibility to make a difference because of it.
The light from the chandelier above us glittered in her gray eyes.
Her floral perfume enveloped me as she leaned in to kiss my cheek, and as I expected, I didn’t feel a hint of longing.
I’d realized some time ago that my feelings for my ex had grown platonic. Despite how things ended, I knew she had a good heart, and I felt nothing but affection for her. We’d spent most of our relationship apart, with me training in Houston and her in Manhattan. Then, of course, I spent five and a half months in space. Five and a half months too long for Darce.
“You look great.”
“Thanks. You too. But then you always knew how to wear a suit,” she murmured flirtatiously, and I grinned. The woman just couldn’t help herself.
“Where’s the groom?” I glanced around, pretending I was looking for the guy who stole my girl and not the girl who’d planned this shindig.
“The soon-to-be groom. He’s in the hotel, wrangling his parents. They flew in from Paris last night and are taking their sweet time getting to the party. They’re minutes away in a hotel room here but can’t make it to the party in time.”
Hearing the strain in her words, I grimaced. “In-law issues?”
Darcy sighed. “They accused Matthias of selling out by marrying me, an heiress.”
Stupidity like that never failed to surprise me. “Reverse snobbery?”
“Exactly.” She shrugged. “I’ll win them over eventually.”
“You will.” I squeezed her arm.
Her expression softened. “Chris, it’s so good to see you. I mean it when I say that you being here means so much to me. You’re one of the best people I know. I hope we’ll always remain friends.”
Once upon a time, those words would have made me wince. Now I replied easily, “You have my friendship for life, Darce.”
She grinned, kissed my cheek again, and straightened her shoulders. “Into the breach I must go.”
Chuckling, I nodded and watched her dive into the crowds to attend to her guests.
As I turned my head, a flash of pink caught my eye.
My breath hitched in my throat as I looked out toward the rooftop and saw her.
Hallie Goodman.
She was in profile to me, murmuring with a server, who nodded at whatever she had to say and strode away. Hallie turned to survey the party, and suddenly I felt nervous. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt nervous about a woman. In fact, I think the last time I was seventeen and it was a girl.
I couldn’t resist a smile as I stared at Hallie in the flesh for the first time.
Her cotton candy hair was styled in long waves that spilled over her shoulders. She wore a conservative silver-gray cocktail dress and impressively high-heeled shoes.
It was strange to look at a woman I’d never met before and feel this overwhelming sense of familiarity and closeness.
A throb in my throat drew my attention to the fact that my heart raced really fucking hard.
Then our eyes met across the rooftop.
Her lips parted in shock, and I tried to keep my expression as neutral as possible, but it was difficult. There was a sense of urgency in me. To go to her.
As if she read my mind, Hallie strode toward me.
My feet moved to meet her, and I skirted around guests, trying not to lose sight of her.
Then bam.
She was there.
Inches from me.
In those strappy heels, she was only a few inches shorter than me. Those big blue eyes were even more amazing in real life. A heady, sweet scent drifted over me as the breeze ruffled through my hair, and I knew it was her perfume. My gaze dropped to her neck, and I imagined pressing my lips against her throat, inhaling her fragrance.