Collide (Collide #1)(126)

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."