Chapter Seven

It seemed that Christian had sobered quite a bit before he quickly escorted her out of the room, but not before he’d grabbed two more glasses of champagne.

Victoria was sure she was making a mistake being alone with him. But for some reason, she didn’t care. Perhaps it was the champagne.

This was what she’d wanted, wasn’t it? She’d wanted to be with him and now she was.

He handed her a glass and tapped his against it. “To Ed and Darcy.”

Victoria smiled. “To Ed and Darcy.” She took a sip and blew out a breath. “I am getting just a little light headed with all this champagne.”

Christian gave her a crooked grin that had one side of his mouth turning up. “I can’t even see you clearly.” He laughed. “But I know how you look and I know it’s a picture of beauty.”

Those butterflies were back in her stomach. She took another big sip of champagne to try and drown them.

“Are you sure you want to walk? I mean we can just stand here and talk. Or not,” she offered. “We could just go sit.”

“I’m just afraid you’ll run out if I don’t keep you occupied by dancing or walking.”

“I don’t do either one very well,” she said with her voice dripping.

Christian blinked hard and then furrowed his brows. “How is your leg?”

She shrugged. “Horrible.” Why lie to him? He knew pain. “They think I might need a few more surgeries. As it is, I’m just a walking scar statue.”

“Can I see?”

She narrowed her eyes on him.

“Your leg. The scars.”

There was a seriousness to him that made her know he wasn’t making a play on her. She bit down on her lip and handed him her glass. Then she took a step back from him and slowly lifted the skirt on her dress to expose her leg.

His face showed concern. “And they want to do more?”

She nodded. “It’s no big deal.”

He shot his look up to her. “No big deal? It’s a huge deal. How do you take care of the kids when…” he stopped and she knew he’d finally stumbled over his tongue.

“I have friends,” she said dropping her skirt into place. “I’m not all alone.” She took the glass from his hand and drank down the rest of it.

“I’m still your friend,” he said, but his words slurred. Though, she wasn’t sure if his words slurred or her hearing did.

“Friends don’t just forget the other person when they need them the most.”

She saw the fire light behind his eyes. “I didn’t forget you.”

“Really? I haven’t heard from you in eight months. Not until I bumped into you at lunch.” Her head was swimming, but at this point she didn’t care. She finished off the drink.

“And you think it was because I didn’t care?”

“I think it’s because Christian Keller can’t think of anyone but himself.”

His mouth dropped open, but he didn’t say anything.

Victoria decided that she needed to call Sonia and beg for a ride. As she started for the banquet room—now limping and swaying—Christian caught her hand.

“You promised me a walk.”

“All about you.” She pulled her hand back. “See what I mean?”

“Damn it! I don’t want you to hate me for the rest of my life.”

“I don’t hate you.” She spun and her head kept going long after she was sure her body had stilled. “My whole problem has been that I don’t hate you quite enough.”

Christian raised his hand to her cheek and she wanted to wince and pull away, but her body was no longer following the rules her brain was sending out.

“Let’s just walk.” He held out his hand to her.

Victoria contemplated his offer for a moment, but considering it was getting harder to stand still she accepted his hand.

He interlaced his fingers with hers and they began to walk toward the stairs that would descend down to the atrium.

While he had drank away his afternoon and danced with the woman by his side, day had given to night.

“What do you say we walk outside?”

He could see her trepidation. “I don’t know…”

“Please.” He was going with the fact that fate must have stepped in and given him this night. After all, how perfect was it that someone took the kids and that man who’d pawed and kissed her all day was called away, too. Yeah, fate was giving him one shot to show her how much he’d missed her.

They walked through the front door of the hotel and he kept her hand in his. As of yet, she hadn’t shaken hers loose.

Desperately he hoped that the booze, now sloshing in his stomach and swimming through his head, didn’t make him do anything stupid. God forbid it made him sick to his stomach or make him say things that would make her run.

“Clare said Sonia picked up the kids.”

Tori nodded nervously. “They’ll stay with her tonight. She was giving me the evening to have some adult fun.”

She’d said the words and he felt her tense. Her lips tightened, but she didn’t retract any part of her statement.

Christian was extremely happy that Scott had left, now for more than one reason.

“The kids looked cute today. I had no idea they would be in the wedding.”

She’d smiled when he mentioned the kids. “Darcy didn’t call until late yesterday. They were thrilled to do it.”

“You’re doing a good job with them.”

The smile on her lips disappeared. “It’s gotten a little easier now that we have a routine, but I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had Sonia. The kids needed a lot of adjustment after the accident and there I was always in a cast or something.” A tear rolled from her eye. “Sam doesn’t remember his parents much, or isn’t old enough to really ask, but Ali…” she sucked in a sob that must have stolen her breath, “she misses them.”

The tear had become a full on cry and Christian stopped walking and turned to her. “I’m so sorry.”

Tori wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I’ve taken her to counselors and they say it’s normal, but it’s so unfair. I don’t know how to make it better when I miss my sister so much I can’t sleep at night.”