“No…it’s fine. It’s not as if we haven’t talked like this before.”

“I know, but it’s not something I want to dredge up right now. Jared’s getting married. This is a happy occasion.”

“Understandable. But just know that I’m ready and willing to be a listening ear. I’m just sorry you had to go through all of that. You deserve so much better, Darcy.”

When I said her name, she looked at me again. A sad smile curved her lips. “You’re a sweetheart for saying so.”

She pulled her car into the valet space in front of the hotel. I signaled to the valet to give us a minute, then turned toward Darcy in my seat. “So, the funny thing about sharing calendars is that I can see yours too. As it turns out, I’m not the only one in need of a little vacation.”

“I live in Charleston. When the weather’s warm, I can take a trip down to the beach whenever I want.”

“Except you don’t.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. “I don’t.”

I nodded. “When we were driving in from the airport, Jared asked me to take care of you this weekend—”

“Seriously? Don’t listen to that boy. I’m fine. You’re here to enjoy yourself—”

“Darcy, taking care of you and making sure this weekend is just as memorable for you as it will be for Jared would be enjoyable for me.”

Her eyebrows arrowed upward over her sunglasses. “Are you sure about that? Our schedule seems to be pretty tight.” She tipped her head in the direction of her mounted iPhone that had just thrown up a reminder to ‘meet the guys at the hotel bar for drinks.’

“I made the schedule, Darcy. I can make time.”

Now she turned toward me in the seat. “What exactly are you suggesting here?” she asked.

“Exactly what I said. Let me take care of you this weekend. Let me be your plus-one. I’ll keep your glass full, spin you around on the dance floor, and keep that smile on your face.”

Because she was smiling now, and it was a gorgeous thing to see.

“That’s really sweet but so unnecessary. I don’t need you to do all that.”

“Excuse me if I’m being too bold, but I’m not sure you even know what you need anymore. Like I said at the restaurant, I think you deserve to have your needs catered to.”

“By you? You think you’re the man to do that, huh?” she asked sarcastically. But I heard a note of curiosity and maybe a whisper of desire in there, too. I might have imagined that last bit but that didn’t matter if I could keep that smile on her face and that blush in her cheeks.

“Darcy…” I said with a sigh and shake of my head. “I’m absolutely the right man.”