by Bird, Peggy
“Well, Dad, you are a fine looking poster boy.”
Joel struck a pose. He looked like a parody of a male model, reminding Jade of the movie, Zoolander.
She laughed so hard that she almost snorted martini out of her nose.
Her dad grinned at her, still holding his pose. “It’s the tux, isn’t it?”
When she could speak again, she said, “Yeah, Dad. It’s the tux.”
Chapter 20
“Okay, let’s rock and roll.” Sam smoothed the skirt of her dress as she slid across the seat to the door. The limo hadn’t even rolled to a stop, but she was not, as a rule, a very patient person.
Her eagerness made Matt smile. He was just as impatient to get to the fundraiser, to see Jade, to dance with her, to talk with her. He just hid it better.
Sam pushed the door open just as the limo driver slid to a stop. The driver shot Matt a questioning look in the rearview mirror. He was trained to get out and open the door for passengers, but Matt just shrugged and waved him off. Matt slid out of the car and took Sam’s arm. The two were a stunning picture as they made their way down the carpet to the patio.
The evening had gone from pale blue to midnight, and glowing lamps led the way to the outdoor area where drinks were being served to a mostly older crowd. Matt’s eyes scanned the guests, grouped in threes and fours and scattered among the tall cocktail tables that dotted the slate patio. He spotted Jade talking to an older couple with Ben at her side.
Her hair was swept up in an artful mess with tendrils of it brushing the nape of her neck. Her back was framed by silver stitching that trimmed the deep “V” at her waist. Thin straps tied at her neck held the top of the dress in place. In between was a breathtaking expanse of creamy skin and the delicate curve of her spine. There was no artifice or seduction in her pose, but she sat strait with her shoulders squared. The image of her sitting there, smiling up at this older man, probably her father, was so natural, simple, and real.
Matt froze. Whatever he thought he was doing here, whatever his intentions, they were suddenly swept out of his mind by a tsunami of emotion—desire, caring, and a healthy dose of lust to boot. There was love and admiration in her eyes as she looked at her father. Ridiculously, Matt felt a surge of jealousy. In that moment, he would have traded his millions if she would look at him that way. Then her father struck a silly pose and Jade threw her head back and laughed. The laugh was full of life, rich and open with no reserve. It was so purely her that he felt something tighten in his chest, in his throat.
Love.
He felt warmth wash over him and he swore his heart stopped beating. He suddenly understood the term heart stoppingly beautiful. She was and he wanted her, all of her, the laughter and arguing and all of it. He wanted it so powerfully, with such conviction that the whole idea of making Jade jealous and faking anything seemed ludicrous. He was sure that his feelings were all over his face. This was not going to work.
Sam touched his arm, and he almost jumped. He had forgotten she was there. She smiled up at him, and he blinked at her.
“Uh, hello, anyone home?”
He shook his head. “This is not going to work.”
Sam shrugged. “I never let the possible complete and utter failure of a project dissuade me.”
“Which is why you are my manager?”
“That’s right baby, and don’t you forget it.”
Matt managed to pull his gaze away from Jade’s gorgeous back. He smiled down at Sam and took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Sam reached for his hand and gave it a friendly squeeze. “Crash and burn, baby, crash and burn.”
“Ohmigod! Riley McLaughlin!” The dulcet tones of Stacy’s shriek carried clearly across the patio to where Sam and Matt stood. Many of the guests swiveled their heads to watch as she barreled across the patio with her arms open. “It’s so great to see you again!”
Sam winced and glared up at Matt. Their plan had not included being outed by a blonde bomb who was about to detonate all over them. Luckily, Matt was highly experienced at deflecting overeager females. There was nothing he could do about her announcement, though. They could already hear the murmurs traveling through the crowd.
Matt had immediately dialed in his paparazzi face, which was a dazzling smile combined with an inscrutable expression. It looked great in photos, and had the added benefit of making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Sam beamed up at Matt. “I know what you’re thinking.”
Matt turned toward Sam with a quirked brow.
Sam smiled smugly and quirked one of her own delicately shaped brows back at him.
He sighed. “Please?”
“Okay, but only because I hate to see a grown man beg.”
“Liar.”
Sam grinned and shot forward to intercept Stacy. She grabbed Stacy by the arm and swiveled her toward the bar, talking as she went. “Hi! I’m Samantha Parker, Mr. McLaughlin’s manager. I’m afraid I don’t know anyone here. You, however, seem to know just about everyone! I was hoping you could make some introductions … ”
Matt smiled at Sam’s retreating back and turned to find Jade.
• • •
If Matthew was good looking in tshirts and jeans, he was nothing less than devastating in a tux. A perfectly fitted, molded to his broad-shouldered, tapered waist, narrow hipped, long-legged body tux. Jade couldn’t breathe. Or maybe it was just the shock of seeing him there. Standing next to Samantha Parker. Who, it was now official, was in fact a Bond Girl. As in straight out of the 007 sex kitten handbook. Or maybe she had a team of costumers, make-up artists, hair stylists, trainers, and personal chefs to get her looking that good. A good head thunk was in order here. And then Sam moved away from Matt, who was now walking straight toward Jade.
He wasn’t smiling, but had honed in like a heat-seeking missile. Clearly, Jade was his target. Matthew McLaughlin in motion was pure male predator. Jade tried to keep from looking dazed at the sight of him headed in her direction. She smiled weakly and locked her feet around the rung of the stool to keep herself from falling off. Or melting in a puddle. Or throwing herself at him. Any of those reactions were possible, and each would have been bad in their own way.
Partygoers’ heads swiveled to watch as Matthew crossed the patio to Jade. It made her nervous to have all those eyes directed toward her, but if it had any effect on the famous Matthew Riley McLaughlin, it didn’t show. She was used to a quiet, simple life and didn’t think she could ever get used to the idea of people watching her every move. The staring thing was particularly unnerving when her thoughts were leaning toward mentally undressing Matt.
He stepped up in front of her and slid his hands into his tuxedo pockets. It was an elegant move, calculated to charm. “I have something for you.” His voice was deep, enticing.
Jade resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. She glanced where his hands had slid into his pockets. “Is it in your pants?”
Ben coughed, but it was really just an ill-disguised laugh. Jade shot him a look. Ben held up his hands in supplication. “Hey, who wants a drink? I’m headed for the bar.” He made his exit.
Matt didn’t bat an eye. He managed a complete poker face and shot back a response. “No, on my desk.”
“Hmm … a fountain pen.”
“No, guess again.”
“Animal, vegetable, or mineral?”
There was a brief pause, then he said, “Vegetable.”
Jade fought a smile as she thought through some of the possibilities. She wasn’t really willing to voice any of them aloud. “Uhm … okay. I’m all out of guesses. You’ll just have to show me.”
Matt didn’t even smile. “Okay, you’ll have to come by my cabin.”
Jade feigned indifference. “Name the time.”
Matt took a step forward. “Tonight.”
Jade checked her watch, which would’ve looked cool if she were wearing one. “I’m a bit busy this evening.”
Matt
stepped forward again. There was barely an inch between them. “Later.”
Jade swallowed. It was amazing how much saliva one martini could produce. “I might be available then.”
Whatever Matt was going to say was interrupted by a petite blonde, aggressively dressed in a black suit. “Mr. McLaughlin, may I have a word with you?”
There was a moment where Matt said nothing. He was so singularly focused on Jade, his eyes locked on hers, the heat between them smoldering. The reporter cleared her throat, and Matt turned toward her. His smile was polite, with just enough charm to make the reporter’s previously serious expression break into a smile.
He nodded toward her and the young woman thrust out her hand. “Lindsay Sands, from the Allegheny Press. May I ask a few questions?” She pulled a small recorder from her jacket pocket and held it out.
Matt shook her hand and graciously agreed.
“Okay.” The reporter checked her notebook. “You are known to be a strong supporter of the arts. What was it that drew you to tonight’s cause?”
Matt’s gaze slid to Jade and swept down her torso before returning to the reporter. Jade could see the impish gleam in his eye as he answered Ms. Sand’s question. “I am particularly fond of books.”
The reporter nodded, as if Matt’s answer was expected and moved on to the next question. “You spend most of your time in Manhattan. This seems rather far to travel for a good cause. Wouldn’t it have been easier to just mail a check?”
Jade started to get nervous. Despite the fact that the Allegheny Press was a smaller local paper, this reporter was shrewd. She didn’t badger or harangue, but instead gently posed her questions. She was clearly fishing for a story but managed to do it in a manner that seemed innocuous and probably was anything but. Lindsay Sands looked young, but Jade was reassessing her capabilities. The whole thing made Jade uncomfortable. Matt’s answers were being recorded, but Jade knew the reporter could take quotes out of context. If the potential minefield bothered Matt, Jade couldn’t see any signs. It was just one more example of how thoroughly Matt belonged in a different league.
He smiled. “Of course, it would be easier, Ms. Sands, but then you wouldn’t be here.” His voice was warm and he leaned on the “you” in a way that was pure flirt, but it didn’t make Jade the least bit jealous. It was too smooth and with no heat. Still, he managed to make the reporter blush. “I have a lot of respect for small academic communities and the legacy that they provide. They deserve acknowledgement for their efforts. If my attendance here tonight brings some attention to the cause of this university or any of the other groups who continue to support the ongoing existence of the arts in our society, then it is worth it to go a bit out of my way to be here tonight.”
It occurred to Jade that she was not so much watching Matt answering questions, but rather watching the Riley McLaughlin give an interview. He was really quite good at it.
“And what about your next book? Can we expect that soon?”
“Next spring.”
“What is it about?”
Matt shook his head. “When we’re closer to the release date, my publisher will put out a press release with all of the relevant details. Until then, I’m afraid I really can’t give you an answer. You wouldn’t want the surprise spoiled, would you?”
Lindsay Sands grinned conspiratorially. “Actually, it’s kind of my job to spoil the surprises.”
Matt slid his hands back into his pockets and shifted his weight back onto his heels. “Ahhh, well, I’m sorry I can’t help you then.”
Lindsay shrugged and clicked off her recorder before slipping it back into her purse. “It’s all right. I’ve got enough to keep my editor happy.” She shook Matt’s hand and turned to shake hands with Jade. “How rude of me. I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Lindsay Sands.”
Jade shook hands with her. “Nice to meet you.”
Lindsay tilted her head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”
“I’m Jade.”
The reporter tilted her head back toward Matt and then turned to Jade again. “How do you two know each other?”
Oh crap! Jade had no idea how to answer. It had never occurred to her that the reporter would ask her anything. Particularly anything relating to Matt. She was terrified that she would give away some detail that Matt would rather not have published in the paper, but the truth was that she wasn’t sure what information he wanted kept private. She glanced up at Matt with panic.
He quickly came to her side and took her hand, laying it on his forearm. “Jade and I are friends.” Jade smiled a silent thank you up at Matt.
The reporter raised an eyebrow but didn’t question him. “Well, so nice to meet you, Jade. And thank you for the interview Mr. McLaughlin.”
“My pleasure.”
The reporter left and Matt sighed. “I’m so sorry about that … ”
Jade wasn’t quite sure what he was apologizing for. The reporter? The interruption? His answers? Before she could even ask, the event coordinator swept onto the patio, announced that the ballroom was open, and invited the guests to take their seats.
As the guests filed into the room it was clear that, though everyone was decked out in their finest, not everybody had the same idea of finest. Some of the older professors had suits that looked to be forty years old. One professor, political science if Jade remembered correctly, paired suede Birkenstock clogs with his spanking new Hugo Boss suit. Which, strangely enough, kind of worked. It was the ultimate in not trying too hard.
The younger faculty candidates dressed the part, and Nick looked fresh out of a Brooks Brothers catalogue. His shirt was lightly starched and so was his hair, just enough to keep its shape but not look too done. He was tan, but not too much. Jade thought that perhaps he had a few more crinkles around his eyes, but they looked good. She wasn’t sure if he would have come to talk to her on his own, but since Stacy was on his arm and tugging him straight toward Matt, it looked like he would at least have to say hello.
Stacy screeched to a stop in front of them and beamed a wide toothy smile at Matt. “Honey, you remember Riley McLaughlin, don’t you?”
Nick nodded and shook hands. “I thought you were Matt.”
Matt nodded. “Matthew Riley McLaughlin.”
Nick smiled. “Much better than my middle name.” He caught Jade’s gaze and his eye crinkles deepened.
Jade smiled back.
Stacy’s smile was tight. “I think it’s royal.”
Nick laughed. “Royally stupid.”
Matt lifted his eyebrows but didn’t ask.
“Romanov,” Nick and Jade said at the same time. Nick continued, “My dad was a professor of Russian history. Thus … Nicholas Romanov Halloway.”
Jade was still smiling at Nick. He really was nice. She started to remember all of the reasons why she had dated him in the first place. “I remember you used to joke that the only thing missing from your name was ‘the third.’”
Nick nodded. “Thankfully, none of my other ancestors were crazy enough to go that route. It was bad enough we had two poodles named Alexander and Anastasia. Which, I might mention, made me the least cool kid on the block.”
Stacy leaned into Nick with her chest and rubbed against him like a cat. “Well, you’re the coolest kid on my block.”
Nick smiled at her and slid his arm around her waist. “Thanks, honey.”
Jade waited, but she didn’t even have to suppress a shudder. They were smarmy and sweet, but Jade couldn’t quite be as annoyed or as cynical as she wanted to be. Apart from his falling in love with her roommate, Nick was a pretty decent guy. When she looked at the Ken and Barbie pair, she actually thought they made a good couple. They both wanted the same things: he wanted a secure, tenured position in a small university town, and Stacy wanted to be a big fish in the insular community of a small pond university. Jade hated to admit it, but they were perfect for each other.
Stacy turned to Matt. “Well, I’m so glad you could
make it tonight after all. Jade seemed to think you wouldn’t be here.”
Matt shrugged. “Last minute schedule change.”
Stacy nodded knowingly. “I know how that is. Whirlwind life, huh?”
As if.
Matt nodded. “Mmhmm.”
“Well, Nick and I would love to have you and Jade over for dinner next time you are in town. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
Uh, not. Jade did have to suppress a shudder at that comment.
Matt raised both eyebrows at Jade before turning back to Stacy. “That is so kind of you, but we’d hate to impose on your incredibly busy schedule.”
Stacy’s smile widened. She was obviously not easily deterred. “Oh, nonsense. For you, we’ll make time.”
Nick finally saved the day. “Oh honey, I really want to make sure we get to sit next to Carl and Beverly. Could you grab us some seats at the table?”
Jade watched Stacy’s indecision. To stay and schmooze with Matt or go and schmooze with Professor Paulssen and his wife? So much schmoozing, so little time. At least she utilized her skill set.
Stacy finally chose the path of least resistance and did what Nick had asked. She and Matt turned to watch Stacy’s butt sway away from them.
To Jade’s surprise, Nick didn’t follow immediately. Instead, he turned and took both of her hands in his. “Jade, I should have said this a long time ago, but I’m sorry. I never set out to hurt you.”
Jade nodded. “If you had said that a long time ago, I probably wouldn’t have listened.” She slipped her hands out of his and touched his face, once so familiar to her. “I’m sorry, too.”
Nick nodded, his smile wistful, his eyes worried.
Jade dropped her hand. “It’s really okay, Nick. It was hard at the time, but you made the right choice.” Jade glanced over her shoulder at Stacy, who was enthusiastically chatting up Beverly Paulssen. When Jade turned back to Nick, he had followed her gaze and was nodding. Jade smiled at him. “You two are somehow right for each other, and I just want you to be happy.”
Nick laughed. “I never thought I would hear you say that.”
