“Centennial, and then flying back.”
“What’s this about, Ben?”
“I told you I met someone in Las Vegas. Her name is Liv and she’s the woman I went to see last month. She’s coming here.”
“What about the boys?”
“I don’t have the boys this week, but if she stays through the weekend, they’ll be fine with it.”
His father raised his eyebrows, but didn’t say anything.
“Dad, I told the boys about her.”
“What did you tell them?”
“When they came back from the Grand Canyon, I told them that I had been on vacation while they were gone. I told them I visited someone very important to me, and I told them about her.”
“Think you jumped the gun a bit?”
“It sounds crazy, but I care about this woman. There’s something about her…you’re gonna think this is crazy, but I love her, Dad. I needed to tell them about her.”
Ben turned to his mother, who hadn’t said a word. “You’re awful quiet.”
“Hmm? I’m thinking.”
“What about?”
“The apple never falls as far from the tree as we think, does it, Bud?”
“What are you talking about, Mom?”
“Do you want to tell him or should I?” she asked her husband.
“You’ll tell it better than I would.”
“When we went on our very first date, your father told me we were meant to be together. He said it was fate. It took me a year to believe him, but he was right. He’s my soulmate and no other man would’ve been right for me.”
Just like Liv was his soulmate. Ben was sure he had loved Christine, but the feelings he had for Liv were so much stronger. They were meant to be together—he only needed to convince Liv of it.
Ben and his dad were waiting in the small terminal when Paige delivered Liv to the airport in Centennial. When she walked in the double doors, he was struck again by her beauty, and how she seemed so unaware of it. In all the time they’d spent together, Liv never primped or preened. She was comfortable in her own skin, and he found it irresistibly sexy.
Ben walked forward, savoring the sight of her. When she stepped into his arms, her body melded against his, reminding him how well they fit together.
He closed his eyes and held her close, brushing his lips across hers. There was no awkwardness between them. It was as though they were coming home. He longed to kiss her deeply, ravish her, but they’d have plenty of time for that later.
“I missed this,” she said.
“Me, too. I’ve been…empty, not being able to hold you in my arms.” Ben’s hand came to her cheek, his fingers stroking it. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
They walked to where his dad was waiting. “Dad, this is Liv. And Liv, this is my father, Bud Rice.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Liv,” his father said. “My son speaks very highly of you.”
Liv’s cheeks turned pink as she shook his father’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.”
His heart was full as he watched his father make conversation with her. It struck him then, and he was surprised it hadn’t before, Liv reminded him of his mother. Beautiful, gracious, and refined, yet so down-to-earth that she made those around her immediately feel more comfortable. He was in awe of her.
Ben gave Paige a hug hello, whispering thanks in her ear and introducing her to his father. He doubted Liv would’ve agreed to this trip without Paige’s prompting.