She knew he was watching her, but she was afraid to look around and risk meeting his gaze. If she had told Lisa about the kiss, then she could have written this off as a setup, pure and simple. They were best friends and she should have at least mentioned it. But Annie had kept that night a secret and, over time, tried to rationalize her response.
Shed been mourning her dead husband, shed been emotionally overwrought, she hadnt been thinking straight. Her whole world had been turned upside down, and Gabe had offered her comfort in the only way he knew howby kissing her. By kissing her?
Even she wasnt deluded enough to admit that the kiss wasnt about just comfort. There was an underlying passion, a need that couldnt be ignored. It had been the last thing shed expected Gabe to do.
Since that unexpected moment had happened, shed wondered what Gabe had been thinking. Had he been so crude to believe that now that she was a widow she was free to indulge? She couldnt come up with any other explanation. In all the time theyd spent together before Eriks death, hed always seemed mildly annoyed with her, as if she were standing in the way of bro time with his best friend.
She clutched her bouquet more tightly, trying to focus on the job at hand. Just five more steps. Four. Three. Two. And stop. She slowly turned to watch the bride come down the aisle, flanked by her parents.
Maybe hed been testing her. That was probably it. Testing her loyalty to her husband. What better place than after his funeral. Annie felt her anger rise. How dare he question her fidelity. After all, she was the one left behind all those times when Erik was deployed.
He was out fighting wars and doing his patriotic duty, while she was at home, worrying about him. And never once, not in five years of marriage, had she thought about straying. Never once had she regretted marrying Erik, even though theyd been miles apart for more days than theyd been together.
She wouldnt be tempted by Gabe again, Annie mused. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing between them. He was her husbands best friend, but they had never had a relationship. Shed say hello, make polite chitchat and then leave him to his own devices.
She glanced over at him again and found him staring at her. He smiled, and Annie felt her stomach flutter. He looked good. He was even more handsome than she remembered. Oh, damn, this was going to be a lot harder than she could have ever imagined.
* * *
SHE WAS DELIBERATELY avoiding him. The reception was in full swing beneath an open-air tent at the edge of the orchard, people dancing to a country band after a meal of barbecue and burgers. Strings of lights crisscrossed the canvas above their heads, mimicking the stars that twinkled in the night sky.
The mood was casual, and everyone was out of uniform and primed to party into the night. Hell, most of the guests were already well beyond their limit, but Gabe had decided to forgo the alcohol and keep his mind sharp and focused on just one thingAnnie. Oddly, every time he moved in to try to talk to her, she slipped away.
He was beginning to feel like some crazy stalker, but hed decided the moment he saw her that he was going to find a way to talk to her, to apologize for what had happened that night in the boat shed.
Annie had danced with nearly every single guy at the reception and was dancing with Lisa and her kids when he decided to make his move. She was distracted and didnt see his approach.
Hey, kids. Can I dance with you, too?
Uncle Gabe can always dance with us, Lisa said, reaching out to pull him into their circle. Annie, you dont mind if he dances with us, do you?
Actually, Im a bit tired. I think Ill go sit down and rest.
No, Sky said. Stay with us!
Yeah, stay with us, Gabe said.
Annie shook her head, then turned and walked off the dance floor. The three kids watched her leave, then gave Gabe a disapproving look. She was tired, he said with a shrug.
Maybe you should go after her, Lisa said.
Shes been avoiding me all day. Shes so good at it, Im thinking she might have gone through SERE training since the last time I saw her. Survival, evasion, resistance and escape. Shes got evasion down.
So go ahead and test her resistance, Lisa teased.
Gabe grinned. We do have a lot to talk about.
Im sure you do. Id start with that kiss.
She told you about...
Lisa nodded. She sure did. Bold move, Captain Pennington.
Stupid move, he said. I need to apologize.
Ask her to dance, Lisa said. Ill go request a slow song, and youll have four or five minutes to say what you need to say.
Gabe left the dance floor, more determined than ever to speak with Annie. She had to know that the kiss was just a simple expression of affection. Hed never meant to cause her a single moment of pain or regret.
He found her at the dessert table with a plate full of sweets. She watched his approach with a suspicious eye but didnt make a move to evade him. Gabe decided that humor was the best option, so he stood next to her and stared out at the dance floor.
If that plate is too heavy, Id be happy to hold it for you, he said.
You once said I was the strongest woman you knew, she said. Were you lying to me?
I wasnt referring to your biceps, he said. And I think I said that you were the most amazing woman I knew.
Are you sure about that?
Trust me, he murmured. I remember every word we said to each other that day.
Just the words? she asked.
He turned to her, their gazes finally meeting, her eyes flashing with defiance. Gabe grabbed the plate from her hand and set it on a nearby table. The band began a soft country ballad, and he jumped on the opportunity. Why dont we dance? It will make it much easier to talk. And it will burn off a few of those calories you were about to consume.
Do we have anything to talk about? Annie asked.
Im sure Ill find something, he said, taking her arm and leading her along. When they reached the dance floor, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Hed never been much of a dancer, but he decided to do his best impression of Fred Astaire. Im going to start with an apology. Im sorry about that night. I dont know what I was thinking, but I never should have kissed you.
Why did you do it? she asked.
He fought the urge to tell her the truth. That hed been desperate, convinced that the moment between them might be the last they ever spent together. He was heading back into a war zone, and though he didnt want to think about dying, he couldnt help himself. For him it was a life-and-death decision, not the impulse of a horny Marine.
No, he wouldnt tell her the truth. Hed take a page out of Eriks playbook and let her believe that it was driven by some other form of desire.
You know, Ive tried to figure it out. I think I just wanted to make you feel better. Kissing is the only thing I know that always works with a weeping woman.
The explanation sounded silly and shallow. He added a crooked smile as she regarded him suspiciously, hoping that might sell it.
Youre speaking from your considerable experience with women?
Gabe chuckled. See? Were talking. Thats a good thing. Do you forgive me? Because I am sorry. And I do regret my behavior that night. If you forgive me, we might be able to be friends. And besides being an excellent dancer, Im an outstanding friend.
Youre speaking from your considerable experience with women?
Gabe chuckled. See? Were talking. Thats a good thing. Do you forgive me? Because I am sorry. And I do regret my behavior that night. If you forgive me, we might be able to be friends. And besides being an excellent dancer, Im an outstanding friend.
He could see her softening, and when she finally smiled, he felt a surge of satisfaction. It wasnt over between them. Hed have another chance. And this time, he wasnt going to blow it.
Come on, he murmured, leaning closer. Youre not the type to hold a grudge.
All right. I forgive you. But if you try it again, I might have to punch you.
That sounds like fun, he teased. I guess I have something to look forward to.
They continued to dance, leaving the banter behind and giving Gabe a chance to focus on the steps. It felt good to hold her in his arms, to feel her body sway against his. She was exactly as hed remembered herstubborn, feisty, opinionated. And sweet, funny and beautiful. All at the same time.
When the music stopped, she quickly stepped out of his embrace and clapped politely. Thank you, she murmured.
I havent had any cake yet, Gabe said. Would you like to join me? I think we left your plate over there. She opened her mouth to speak, but he placed a finger over her lips. Before you say no, remember that we have a lot to catch up on.
All right, she finally said.
They found an empty table, and he pulled out her chair and waited for her to sit. Can I bring you anything else? he asked. Champagne? Or some punch?
Punch, she said. No, champagne. She forced a smile. I better stick to punch.
Ill bring you both. Be right back.
Lisa and Nellie were standing near the cake table as he stacked a few more pieces on Annies plate. Each of the four layers was a different flavor, so he chose a variety. Great cake, he said.
Have at it, buddy, Nellie shouted.
Lisa sent him a knowing smile, as if shed been watching the two of them. Be nice, she warned, handing him a cold bottle of champagne.
He stopped at the punch bowl and balanced a cup on the edge of the plate, then returned to the table. He carefully set the plate in front of her. I didnt know what flavor cake you liked, so I brought all of them.
She stared silently at the plate for a long moment and he realized that bringing her so much might seem like a comment on her eating habits. Jeez, when was he going to learn to think before he acted?
Didnt you bring yourself a plate? she asked. What are you going to eat?
He pulled out a chair and plopped down next to her, chuckling at the cool look she cast his way. I thought we could share. Gabe speared a bite of carrot cake, then popped it in his mouth. Good cake. So, how have you been?
Good, Annie replied. Most of the time. The sailing school is doing pretty well. We had a record number of students register for the summer. I had to build a new bunkhouse. We added a couple more programs and brought in some great mentors for the students to work with. But its never going to make me rich.
Id like to stop by and see it, he said.
She gave him a sideways glance. Why would you want to do that?
You rent boats. I might want to go sailing. Im going to be moving to the area in a few weeks. Ive been temporarily assigned to do some consulting on new avionics software at Pax River. Im going to be working with Nellie.
So youre making a career of the Marine Corps?
Thats always been the plan. Unless NASA comes calling. Im thinking Id like to fly the new space shuttle.
You have some big dreams, she said. Annie picked at her cake, then set her fork down and pushed the plate away. Can I be completely honest with you?
Gabe nodded. Absolutely.
If youre thinking there might be something between us, you need to know that Im never going to be with you. Ive decided that I need to find a man who isnt in the military.
Yeah, thats a good idea. Theres just one problem with that.
A problem? What problem? Annie asked.
Im in the military. And you already like me. I guess, if were going to hang out, youre going to need to change your plans. I mean, you might just start to think of me as more than just a friend. I like to keep an open mind about things like this.
Annie shook her head. Youre very sure of yourself.
When I see something I want, I dont stop until I get it.
And what do you want? she asked.
Gabe shrugged. Lots of things. But a summer on the Chesapeake would be a good start.
Annie pushed to her feet. I should probably get back to my duties as matron of honor.
And Ive got a long drive back to Pax River. It was nice talking to you again, Annie. He leaned over and brushed a kiss across her cheek. Ill be seeing you.
He walked away from her without looking back, knowing that he was risking it all by playing it cool. Gabe wandered over to the bride and groom and promised that hed be back for another visit now that theyd be residing on the same side of the country again.
When he leaned in to kiss Lisas cheek, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Dont give up on her, she said. You two would be great together.
Ill be seeing you next month, Nellie said. Try to keep yourself out of trouble until then. Im counting on you to make me look good to my civilian bosses.
As he walked out to his car, Gabe smiled to himself. Hed looked forward to reconnecting with a few old friends. Hed never expected to run into Annie Jennings. But hed managed to piece together something that a simple kiss had nearly destroyed over a year ago.
Mission accomplished, he murmured.