Lauren laughed. Dylan McGuire for her was a lot of things, but never funny. She laughed until her eyes tear and her stomach muscles cramped. A breeze blew in cooling her skin, tossing her locks back from her shoulders. She set her glass of wine on the picnic table, and peaked up under long lashes at him. It took extreme effort on her part to force down the remaining chuckle bubbling in her throat to a more appropriate smile. How is it now she could look back with laughter, even fondness at that job he had made so miserable for her? Within his eyes she could read the reasons why. It was because of him. The ‘new’ him.

Dylan smiled. Wow. Who knew he was more handsome when he smiled? She certainly couldn’t conceive it until now. Even the sweat beading over his serious brow was sexy. Today under the soft rays of the sun his eyes flashed a blue-green in the day and then amethyst when the cloud cover brought shade over them. The color had returned to his skin. The wind blew through his hair making it a toss of loose strands covering his brow. He had this way of drawing in his bottom lip when he stared too long, as if savoring her and delaying his word choice. Lauren found that too strangely compelling.

Lauren eyes flickered away. Though a new thrill shook her to the bone. Desire was taking things too far. Instead she returned her eyes to her half eaten lunch. It appeared that he and she were the only ones enjoying the picnic lunch under the noon sun. Lauren gaze shifted to her friend. Dena was the life of any party and the instigator of many. Not today. The raven-haired beauty with the cute dimples pushed her arugula salad around on her plate with her fork. Her chin rested in the palm of her hand. Chet sat across from Dena silently observant. Strange. Lauren cleared her throat, she plucked her napkin from her lap and wiped at the corner of her mouth. “It’s getting late. There’s still work to do. Dena? Dena? Why don’t you and I go check on things?”

“How about I help?” Dylan spoke in a baritone so smooth it melted her spine. The one she used to stand against temptation, especially of men like him that could not be trusted. The others looked to her for an answer. He gave her a confident smirk, reading her. She was sure of it. “I’d like to, help that is.” He said. Lauren waited for him to propose the ‘why’. He sat forward and his stare never wavered, not even a flicker. “We got off on a wrong foot yesterday. I think I need to make up for that.” Dylan offered. “Besides, I haven’t told you how long we left Mason trapped in that elevator.” He winked.

Lauren’s smile hurt. She’d worn it too long. Catching the funny look her friend gave her she swallowed every trace of it. The thought of Mason yelping like a poodle for fear of loss of air was too much. She was tempted. This Dylan was quite a story teller. She doubted half the stuff he said was true, but she had a vivid imagination. “Thanks but I think we can start fresh tomorrow.” She stood. Dena silently rose too.

“Dinner?” Dylan tossed out.