Page 73 of Summer Breeze
Belinda smiled and motioned to the empty chair next to her. “Do you have a moment?”
He sat down quickly, putting the empty tray on the table. “For you, I’ve got the rest of the night.” She chuckled and took a sip of her wine. “Sorry, did I mention I’m a huge fan?”
“You did.” She nodded and smiled. “Rumors have it that you and Jules are an item?”
He glanced over at Jules, who was pouring a glass of wine. “Yes,” he said, without taking his eyes off Jules.
“Wow, if I had a man look at me like that, I wouldn’t have divorced four times,” Belinda joked.
“She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m buttering her up to marry me within the year,” he said easily. He’d been thinking about it since their trip to St. George Island. There was no point fighting it. She was what he wanted, and nothing would change his mind.
Belinda sighed and leaned back as she ran her eyes over him. “The pair of you have been working here since the doors opened?”
He nodded. “I went to school with Elle and a handful of other people working here.”
“Those handful of people—Aiden Stark, Levi Walsh, Dean Wallis, and a few others—have also been here from day one.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Still, Damion nodded again. Belinda took another sip of her wine. She’d obviously done her homework. “That says a lot about an employer. Having friends stick around that long. I’ve talked to each one I just listed, and they all seem more than content.”
“Why wouldn’t they be?” He shrugged. “This place is…” He looked around the massive room. His eyes ran over the crowd and yet he somehow ignored all the happy guests and instead focused on his friends and all the workers. Each and every one of them had a smile on their faces. Some laughed and joked with guests, while others practically glowed with joy. “Magical,” he finished, looking back at Belinda. “Have you danced yet tonight?” he asked her.
That question seemed to take her aback. “No, I’m here alone.”
He stood up and held out his hand. “Allow me?”
She paused for a moment before taking his hand. He led her towards the empty dance floor.
“Are you sure?” Belinda challenged. “You seem awful young…”
He didn’t let another word out as he spun her easily. She came back to him, laughing.
“Oh, I like a challenge,” she said, her chin going up.
“One of the first reports I remember seeing you in was when you interviewed Carl Steinburger.” He smiled. “I begged my mother to teach me how to dance after seeing you and Carl glide across the dancefloor. Later, an ex-girlfriend convinced me to take classes with her. Best thing I walked away with out of that relationship was to learn how to dance.”
“That interview was… too many years ago.” Belinda laughed.
At that moment, music filled the room and the lights lowered.
For the next few minutes, Damion led one of his idols around the floor in a dance he’d learned because of her. She laughed. He laughed. Other couples filled the dance floor around them.
When the song was over, everyone parted and stood around them, clapping.
“I’m afraid I only have one of those in me.” Belinda smiled at him. “You should dance with your girl. I think I learned all I needed tonight.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “It was a pleasure.”
“Thank you for making an old woman feel young again. Even if for a moment.” Belinda turned and went back to her table.
He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to smile down at Jules.
“Is this dance taken?” she asked him.
He pulled her into his arms. “I’m all yours,” he said into her ear and meant it deeper than she knew.
The following morning at exactly ten o’clock, a large group of journalists, including the ones that were currently staying at the camp, gathered around the front courtyard.
The Wildflowers and their spouses stood on the front steps of the main building. A handful of employees, ones who could be spared during the press conference, stood behind them.
He stood next to Jules, holding her hand in his.
