He turned his head and focused his gaze through the open patio door to that spot on the sand they’d laid on last night. The image of Ellie’s naked body and sexy grins flashed through his head, and his pulse quickened. She always did that to him, made his heartbeat race like this.
He could’ve denied it. Said that he’d uttered the words in haste but really didn’t mean them. But damn, deep down he knew he’d meant those three little words. Somehow, between their bickering and their games, between those gentle kisses and mind-blowing sex, he’d fallen in love with her.
“Yes. I do. I’m in love with her, Josh.”
His friend exhaled deeply. “Have you told her?”
“No.”
“Does she love you?”
He swallowed. “I don’t know.”
“She does, you know.” Josh’s shoulders sagged. “I think she’s always loved you.”
Luke couldn’t explain the rush of pleasure that shot through him. He remembered Ellie’s confession that she’d wanted him for fifteen years, and cursed himself for being so blind. For not realizing his own feelings sooner.
“She told me why she ran off.” He didn’t mean to change the subject, but the words slipped out before he could stop them. Thinking about Ellie in the Dancehall reminded him of her other confession. “When she broke her foot…she can’t dance ballet again, man.”
“What?” Surprise lined Josh’s eyes.
“Her career is over. That’s why she took off, that’s why she’s working in Vivian Kendrick’s club. It’s the only connection she has to her old life, to dancing.”
“Why the hell didn’t she tell me?”
“I think it was too much for her to handle. That’s why she needed to get away.”
As silence fell over the room, Luke suddenly needed to sit down. His mind was swimming with questions, the main one being—what did he do now? How did he deal with the knowledge that he’d fallen for Ellie?
He sank onto the couch and rubbed his forehead. A second later Josh joined him, looking equally distressed. Shooting his friend a sideways glance, Luke asked, “Still want to kick my ass?”
Josh smiled faintly. “Naah. But I would like you to promise me something.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“Don’t ever hurt my sister, Luke. If you really do love her, I’ll give you my blessing. But I need to trust that you won’t screw around with her feelings. Either you’re there for her for the long haul, or you’re not there at all.”
“I’m there for the long haul.” It shocked him that he actually meant it.
Josh nodded, looking pleased. Then he gave a bitter laugh. “Well, at least one of us got the girl this time.”
Luke cocked his head. “You mean, you and Vivian…?”
“Why doesn’t it surprise me you figured out there was something between us?” Josh set his mouth in a grim line. “Was being the operative word. Vivian ended things last night.”
“I’m sorry, man.”
“Yeah, so am I.” Josh chuckled. “She thinks she’s too old for me.”
Luke returned the chuckle. “And in one week you couldn’t convince her what an old geezer you are? Christ, Josh, you were wearing business suits at the age of eighteen. Oh, and who could forget all those antacids you popped in college while most kids your age lived on a diet of beer?”
A rueful smile lifted Josh’s mouth. “I guess Viv couldn’t see it. It also didn’t help that her daughter called last night and raved about how hot I am.” He paused. “That phone call was the final straw for Viv. She thinks Tanya would be horrified if she knew her mother was dating me.”
Luke drew his brows together in a frown. “Have you thought about getting in touch with Tanya yourself?”
“Man, you sound like Viv. I don’t want to date her daughter, for fuck’s sake!”
Luke held up his hand. “Relax, that’s not what I meant. I’m just wondering if maybe you can ask Tanya to talk to her. Tanya’s a sweet girl, and she adores her mother.” He offered a small shrug. “I think she’d just want Vivian to be happy.”
A look of uncertainty spread across Josh’s face. “You think she’d be okay with me dating her mother?”
“You won’t know unless you call her.”
Luke saw the wheels turning in his friend’s head and when Josh shot to his feet a second later he looked like a new man. “You’re right,” he announced. “It’s definitely worth a shot.” He slapped his hands together. “Okay, I need to get a few things from the car. I think Alice jotted down Tanya’s number on one of my papers.”
With a determined expression Josh strode to the front door but stopped before turning the knob. “I’m really glad about you and Ellie, man,” he said over his shoulder. “But remember that promise you made, okay? You need to take care of her. She’s so fragile, especially after losing the baby, and, well, she needs to know she can count on you to be there for her.”
Josh flew out the door before Luke had a chance to reply or even comprehend what he just heard.
Losing the baby?
Chapter Thirteen