Decorated in even more of Pitt’s trademark navy blue and gold, the room was filled with people dressed in suits and designer dresses. Waiters waded through them with champagne trays held high, and there was a band dressed in all-white onstage. A band I remembered watching every Saturday night as a sophomore.
“Is that you, Charlotte?” A brunette walked up to me and touched my shoulder. “Charlotte Taylor, right?”
“Yes.” I smiled. She didn’t look familiar.
“You wouldn’t remember me, I’m sure.” She laughed. “I used to intern at Heinz Stadium, and I handled all the specialty tickets for the players and the skybox seats.” She winked at me. “I’m sure you can remember that, though.”
“I do.” I was leaving in five minutes. Timer be damned. “Where’s the ‘I Was Here’ Book?”
“Over there under the golden balloon arches.” She pointed to a corner. “You can’t miss it. I’ll see you at the fireworks?”
"Absolutely." I walked away and headed straight for the arches, taking my spot in line behind three other people I faintly recognized. I considered striking up a conversation or asking them what I'd missed, but I didn't want to be lured into staying longer than I needed.
“May I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen?” A woman stepped onto the stage, waving at the crowd. “We still have quite a few things to get through tonight, but we did promise you a special speech from one of your very own.”
The loud talking and laughter slowly dissipated into soft murmurs. Then silence.
"I would normally take the time to say a long, drawn-out introduction, but we can all agree that this man needs no introduction, and his name is enough. Ladies and gentlemen, from the special class of 2010, I’m honored to present to you, Grayson Connors!”
I dropped my pen to the floor as the room erupted into applause, as the stunningly gorgeous man I fell for years ago walked onto the stage.
His sapphire blue eyes gleamed beneath the bright spotlights, and his trademark dimple in his right cheek deepened as he smiled at the audience. The dark gray suit he was wearing accentuated his muscles, and the mere sight of his full lips was still capable of making my heart skip a beat.
Smiling a set of pearly whites, he shook the woman’s hand and took his place behind the podium.
“Good evening, Class of 2010,” he said, his voice deep.
“Good evening.” The crowd responded, and the only sounds in the room were now the light clinks of champagne flutes and murmurs of “Wow,” “Whoa, ” and “Awesome.”
“All these years.” A brunette in front of me nudged her friend, whispering. “He’s still sexy as hell.”
“Tonight, I’m honored to present our class with one of the most distinguished honors the university has ever bestowed upon a group.” He held up a golden plaque. “Out of all the classes that have ever graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, our class holds the highest number of accomplished students in every single field. Every. Single. Field.”
There was a loud and raucous applause, and he nodded at the crowd—clapping right along with them. He stepped in front of the podium to high-five one of his old teammates, and then he smiled his infectious smile once more before returning to his notes.
“Speaking of accomplishments, our amazing class of 2010 also has the honor of—” His gorgeous eyes suddenly met mine and he stopped talking. He blinked a few times, then squinted—as if he was trying to determine if what he was seeing was real.
Several seconds passed, and he still didn’t say a word. He simply clenched his jaw.
He picked up a glass of water and took a slow sip, keeping his eyes on mine the entire time. Keeping me pinned to my spot.
Clearing his throat, he let out a short breath. “Sorry about that,” he said. “I just realized that this is only our seven-year reunion. Does this mean we don’t have to put up with the ten-year one?”
The crowd laughed, and he continued his speech.
“We also have the honor of being the class that has somehow kept in contact the most. I’m not sure how they keep up with that type of thing, but I can honestly say that some of my best friends and memories—” He clenched his jaw again. “Those were all made right here on this campus.”
I tried my hardest to look away from him, to slip some place into the crowd where his eyes wouldn’t find mine but I couldn’t get my feet to move. All these years and he still had the ability to make my world stop with a single syllable. To make my heart race with a single glance in my direction.
The second he finished his speech, he finally looked away from me and the room gave him a well-deserved standing ovation.
I immediately took my chance.
I made sure my name and phone number were legible in the book, and then I pushed my way through the crowd, rushing toward the exit.
My heels clacked against the floor as I raced through the hallway, but before I could reach the doors, a familiar hand grabbed my elbow from behind and spun me around.
With my heart racing a mile a minute, I looked directly into Grayson’s eyes, unsure of what to say.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words fell from his lips. Then he looked me up and down, taking a slight step forward.
“Okay,” he finally said, his voice strained. “Where the hell have you been?”
“You look nice tonight.” I changed the subject. “Life seems to be treating you well. I mean, I figured it would be, since you have the career of your dreams now, but wow. I really liked your speech, too. Our class was really great, huh?”
“Charlotte ...” He pulled me close and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest at the familiar feel of his hands against my body. “I’m not going to play games with you, so here’s an easier question: Why are you here?”
“Because just like you, I believe I graduated from this school and was invited to the reunion.”
“You know what I mean.” He lowered his voice. “Why are you here when you’ve never made it out to anywhere I was? Did someone have to force you to come?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said. “I didn’t even know you were going to be here tonight. And trust me, if I’d known that was the case, I would’ve never come here.”
“So, you were forced.” He looked as if he was torn between dropping me to the floor or kissing me, but he held back. “At least, I’m sure that’s part of what you’re telling yourself so you can feel better about ruining what we had.”
I didn’t ruin anything. YOU did.
“Look, Grayson.” I hesitated. “What we had in college, all those years ago was honestly—”
“Fucking perfect.” He interrupted, daring me to deny it.
I didn’t respond to that. “Fucking Perfect” was the only thing that could be said about that.
“I’m honestly just happy to see you again.” He sighed and slowly let me go. “You feel like catching up?”
“Right now?”
“Right now.”
“I ...” This was a bad idea. “What if I say no?”
“Then it’ll just confirm that you still can’t lie worth a damn.” He smiled. “Have you gotten pulled over by any police lately, or have you finally learned how to drive?”
“No.” I stepped back. “No, I haven’t been pulled over by any police lately, and you know what? I’ve changed a lot over the years, Grayson. I’m not the girl you once knew and I’m sure you, Mr. Professional Football Player, are not the guy I once knew. So, as wonderful as a night of walking down memory lane sounds, I’m going to have to pass.” I started to walk away, but he blocked me.
“You want to do this at Eat’n Park or Highland Coffee?”
“Highland Coffee. But only for one hour.”
“Two.”
“Fine.” I relented. “But wait. Don’t you have to give another speech before the fireworks?”
“Not anymore.” He clasped my hand and my body went warm at the contact. My mind immediately raced with our memories as we walked right out of the cathedral, down the icy sidewalks like we’d done too many times before.