She wanted to get undressed before sitting down. That short-circuited his brain a bit. The numerous drinks he'd had all through the night wouldn't prevent him from having a serious conversation with someone, but a girl in a nightgown would. Particularly when the girl in question cut as fine a figure as she did — her wedding dress accentuated her body, which meant he could imagine it already. His mouth had gone dry.

"Of course," he managed. Then, before she could turn away or retreat into a lavatory: "Valencia. Let me help."

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