Heat flared in her cheeks. I do, too. But, she wasn’t going to tell Rico or the girls that.
Evelyn giggled, nudging her arm. Barely connecting, she slipped, crying out as she teetered. “Heels!”
Rach turned and grabbed her before she toppled to the ground. “Got you.”
“Step away from the dress, Ev,” Rico said, coming up and taking over. He made her take baby steps to the nearest stool and helped her perch there. She clutched the seat with her hands. He patted her on the head. “Our little klutz.” His sigh matched the rest of theirs. “Safe. For now.”
“I am not that bad.”
“Ah, yes you are. Even your dearest Shane says so.”
“Am I?” She turned to look at the others and then at Rach. Her hand slipped and she went to the left. Thankfully, she caught herself. “Okay, maybe a little.”
Even Rach began to laugh. “I’ve known you all of what—a half dozen days now? And you’ve nearly fallen every single time I’ve seen you.”
“It’s lack of sleep.” She held up a hand. “I swear. My futures are making a racket.”
“Futures?” Rach stepped back and eyed the sleeveless dress with the low neckline, cinched waist, and the fitted rich red fabric of the skirt. Could she wear this? It was the most daring thing she’d ever created for herself.
“As in in-laws,” Francie explained.
“They bang all the time,” Rico added, going to the frothy green dress on a nearby mannequin and fluffing it.
“Bang what?” Rach looked over her shoulder at the others.
“Why, each other,” he said, cracking up. The ladies joined him.
“What?!” Heat whooshed up her neck as she faced a nodding Evelyn.
“All. The. Time. They even have Shane and me beat.” It was her turn to blush. “We’re trying to make a baby before my eggs evaporate.”
“I caught them,” Gigi said, shaking her head. “In King’s elevator. I thought it was broken. I called maintenance. Here I am, two guys and me, waiting as they pry open the doors. And presto, it’s them, in mid-stream, if you know what I mean.”
“Ew!” Evelyn and Rach said in unison.
“Anywhere. Any time. OMG! I bet you they’ll do it at the ball.” Rico clapped. “Right in the barracuda’s new guest room. Or, better yet, on the dining room table.”
“They wouldn’t!” Rach winced.
“Yeah, they would.” Evelyn groaned. “I think they’re calling it their reunion tour.”
She chuckled along with the rest of them. Stories of the divorce and subsequent refereeing Evelyn’s fiancé did over the years and then their infamous reuniting was not a secret around King’s. Apparently, a lot of secrets had been exposed.
Yep, add the futures to the temporary insanity file, at their best. Or worst!
“Smoochy smooch,” Dolly said, blasting into the room with a wedding dress draped over her arms. “I heard. My, my, they sure are making up for lost time, aren’t they?”
“Dolly, my love,” Rico cried, going to her and giving her a half hug and air- kissing her cheeks. “What do we have here?”
“A disaster if we can’t come up with a trick or two. Bride wanted it so tight she could barely breathe. Now she’s in the family way and we got no material to work with. Nobody can figure it out. I thought I’d bring it to the genius room. Got any ideas, Gigi?”
The other woman pressed her hands to her mouth. “Oh, my. How soon?”
“Yesterday.” She rolled her eyes. “You know they always wait till the last minute. And they are bumping it up. Hey, get it, bumping it up?”
They chuckled along with her.
“Let’s take a look,” Rach offered.
“Oh, lookee here. Jumping in to the deep end.” The funny, blonde-haired lady smiled and then winked. “You’re a brave one, dear.”
In minutes, they had the dress out of the plastic and up on a resized mannequin.
Evelyn gulped hard. “How many months?” Her face paled.
“Oh, Ev, it’ll happen for you and the Shanester. I promise. If not, I’ll carry the little mutt for you,” Rico said, giving her a big side squeeze and making everyone laugh.
Tears came and she brushed them away. “Thanks. It just gets…hard sometimes.” She sucked in a breath and let it out.
Rach reached over and touched her arm and the others murmured their concern and encouragement.
“The bride says three, but I swear it’s more like five. That bun is more like a loaf, if you ask me.” Dolly shook her head.
“And Dolly knows things,” Francie agreed. “She predicted all of Charlie’s. And mine.”
“And Priscilla, too.” Rico nodded. “Five, you say?” He pressed a hand to his chin and slowly walked around the skinny, corset-like wedding dress with delicate beads.
“A panel?” Rach fingered the sides. “A few inches.” She lifted the skirt, peeking under it and deciding there was no extra fabric to take there. “The train. Shorten it slightly and use that…”
“You think?” Gigi asked, following her idea.
“Beads. More beads the better with that one.” Dolly grabbed for a silk white swatch off the table and used it as a measuring guide. “We detach the seams here and insert the panel from the train on either side just at the waist and it gives us the breathing room she needs.”
“Not sheer, though, but beaded. I like.” Rico smacked her on the upper arm. “You fit right in here, Rach. Now, we have to christen you in the best possible way.”
“Drinks at Rico’s,” the ladies cried out.
Rach cringed, holding up her hand. “I’m good. Lots of wine in Italy. I’ve used up my lifetime share.”
“Oh no you don’t. We still need to dish about Luscious Logan, right, girls?”
Her heart sank at the determined look on his face.
Being with them, dodging their earlier curiosity, and making the suggestion of the dress made her a part of King’s. Now, she wondered if getting close had been a good idea.
What she felt for Logan she didn’t want to share with anyone, especially the man himself.
It was her secret to keep.
Rico and the ladies eyed her with a mixture of curiosity and speculation.
How long could she hide it, though, with these busybodies?
***
“What am I doing here?” she wondered out loud, shuffled into the bustling restaurant.
“Food,” Rico said, rolling his eyes at her. “I called the gang. Can’t fit in my postage-size stamp place, so we going to yours.”
“Mine? I don’t have a place.”
“Peg told the driver who’s picking us up. Must have got it from you. So where are you staying?”
Dread dropped like lead in to her belly. “Logan’s.” She cringed.
“Shut the front door! Francie, did you hear that? She’s shacking up with Logan!”
Several of the nearby patrons turned to look. A wave of heat crawled up her neck.
“Ah, Rico, why not shout it? I don’t think the entire restaurant heard you the first time.”
“Oh, snark. I likee.”
In spite of his gossipy ways, she liked the man. “Now you’re asking for it.”
“Bring it on, baby! Uncle Rico here can take it,” he purred. “But I still want to know about the setup. Sleepovers? Really?”
“Sleep is all we do.”
“Trouble in paradise? It didn’t look that way at the photo shoot.”
“Friends. Platonic.” She emphasized the last word.
He snorted.
“Guys, come on,” Gigi said, nudging them toward the pick-up counter. “Max and Annabelle are at the movies with Joey. I got a free night off from babysitting my grandson and I want f-u-n. Got it!”
“Bossy. I likee, Gigi!”
There was a slight commotion in front of them and Rach looked up in time to see Francie being swept up in some tall, good-looking guy’s arms.
“Aren’t they cute?” Dolly asked. “Break it
up, you two. I need me some hugs from him, too.”
“Dolly,” he said, still holding Francie in one arm and hugging the older woman. “How’s my cooking buddy?”
“Missing the likes of you! I got a mean new recipe for us. Wanna try it out for the ball?”
“I’m in. You had me at recipe.”
“Ah, shucks, Mr. Marcus. I sure have missed our times in the kitchen.”
“Come by anytime and have at it.” He nodded to the back.
The more he talked, the more Rach realized she’d met him before. “Marcus?”
He glanced up and smiled. “Hey, I know you. It’s been awhile.”
“Six, seven years?” She reached out and shook his hand.
“Logan’s friend.”
“New York.” She recalled the time she’d visited Logan and he’d taken her out to a grand opening for Marcus’s restaurant and bar. The man was in his element, welcoming patrons. “Still there?”
“No. Dallas is home now.” He kissed Francie on the cheek. “I got the girl.”
“More like I got the guy and the baby. And the dream job. I’m a lucky girl.” She gazed up at him with adoration.
Why didn’t love look like temporary insanity on them?
Rach gulped hard. Would she ever have something like that? A pang of jealousy shot through her. Not for Francie and Marcus, but for not having the whole package she hadn’t ever dreamed of until now. Logan would never give up New York or his lifestyle.
“I’m famished, Marcus. Got our order?” Rico asked.
“Oh, so that’s why Francie called in the whole menu.”
She nudged him. “Only part. Not all.”
There was that blip again. This time it was Rach’s heart.
I want one of those!
Logan!
Chapter 14
Night descended beyond the glass windows. Lights popped up, in a strange but welcoming way, dotting Logan’s view.
Rach would be home soon.
His body tingled in anticipation.
“Home?” Funny how he thought it was home when she was there and just a place to drop his things when he was alone.
There was noise at the door, making his heart jump to his throat.
“Rach?” He strode to the hallway. Maybe she needed help with something and asked Arnie downstairs for assistance.
Voices mingled and grew louder as the door flung open and she stumbled in with several people behind her.
“Honey, we’re home!” Rico called out.
Logan recognized his voice from the photo shoot. Five women, including Rach, followed.
“Oh, you’re here,” Rach said, halting in front of him.
“Drinking?”
“Not yet. But, we got booze.” Rico held up a bottle in each hand. “And food. It’s party time.”
“You don’t mind, do you?” Rach asked, frowning slightly. “They wanted to come over.”
Relief at seeing her washed over him. That and something more. The more could wait until another time. Or not. Did he dare go there again? “The more the merrier, isn’t that the saying?”
He let out a pent-up breath. Maybe the answer was to not be alone with her.
“Oh, look at the city!” Gigi said, rushing to the window to get a good look. “My grandson would go gaga over this.”
“Help yourself,” he said, being blasted with noise, people, and fragrant scents of food all at the same time.
“Don’t mind if we do.” Rico eyed him. “Such a waste.” He shook his head, sighed loudly, and then moved to the kitchen. “Ladies, you have got to see this! Love!”
“I wanna see,” Dolly said, rushing in behind him. “Oh, my!”
“Me, too,” the others seemed to chime in and followed.
Rach came closer, whispering. “They wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was either here or Rico’s loft.”
“Not a problem. I’m glad you’re making new friends.”
“I like them. Most of the time.” Her wink and smile sliced through him, capturing his breath.
“Unlike your other friend.”
“My oldest? Hmm…he’s a little opinionated, especially when it comes to sports. But he’s always been there for me.” Her voice caught.
“Still am, Rach.”
“Will you be?” Her eyes were filled with doubts.
This wasn’t just about their friendship. His gaze lingered on hers. Something raw ripped through him. “I don’t know.”
Could she forgive him? Now, that was the question that he didn’t want to face or answer for fear it may be no.
“It’s not an easy decision.”
“Will you let me make that choice with you? Or are you going to make it on your own?”
Her strength and tenacity surprised him. She wasn't backing down.
What the hell was he going to do?
***
“Marcus Goode, really? You two are married?” he asked between bites. “I might have heard something through the grapevine. How is he?”
“Divine, as Rico would say,” Francie said, holding up the takeout bag with the restaurant’s name on it. “His and his partner’s Stu’s. Along with half a dozen others around town.”
“Stu? I haven’t seen either one of them in years.”
“In their playboy days?” Rico asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning in. “Do dish!”
Silence reined. Forks were halted halfway to their mouths. Logan glanced over at Rach. He swallowed hard. “It’s over for them…” He left it hanging. Hurt flashed in her eyes and a jolt of fresh pain jabbed him in the chest.
“New York calls, right?” She stabbed a carrot and waved her fork around. “Countdown begins. The Grans return in a few days and you get to fly back home.”
He lost his appetite. “They’re coming for the ball.”
“My mother’s?” Francie made a face. “Granted, she’s changed. Mostly. But the thought of being cooped up in her newly decorated house for hours is not my idea of a fun evening.”
“You ain’t kidding, honey,” Dolly agreed. “I thought she was going to have a cow when Charlie informed her me and Eddie were invited. As guests. Not the help.”
“I would have loved to have seen her face.” Rico glanced from him to Rach. “She about cancelled the shindig. Oops! Sorry, Dolly.”
The older woman made a noise in the back of her throat. “My feelings ain’t hurt one teensy tiny bit. Me and Eddie had a good ol’ laugh about it. Let’s see what she does when we show up at the front door, all fancy smancy. I’ll look her in the eye and ask her, how’s them apples for you, barracuda?”
Logan smiled as the rest of them chuckled. But his was forced as he caught Rach’s gaze, the wounded look unmistakable.
“When are they arriving?” Rach asked him directly.
“That morning.”
Her sharp look didn’t go unnoticed. Yeah, he’d arranged for them to be there. “Your grandmother should see your success.”
“This is more about the house than me.”
“You think so?” Evelyn asked, glancing at her friends.
Francie tsked. “It just happened to coincide. Mother’s been wanting to show off her house remodel, but we’ve stalled. When Charlie and Griff mentioned the possibility of getting the exclusive deal with you, well, we jumped on that idea. It gave us a great reason to celebrate in my late stepfather’s home. He’d be so happy about our family welcoming you into King’s.”
“That man loved King’s and he loved his family.” Dolly sniffed. “Good ol’ Mr. K.”
“Sounds like one of the good guys.” Gigi held up her wine glass. “To Mr. King. I got a whole new family. You, too, Rachael.”
“Hear, hear!” Rico clinked glasses. “I can’t wait to meet the grandmothers.” He smirked, raising his glass to Rach and then to Logan. “They know about you two yet?”
***
Rach waved them off as they returned her good-byes and the elevator doors closed behind them. A wall of silence descen
ded. “Nice.” She meant it. They were quirky and funny and had welcomed her. It felt good.
“I think Rico was coming on to me. Once. Twice.” His voice held a smile in it as she walked back through the door and into the penthouse in front of him.
“He was testing you. See if you’d crack under the pressure,” she joked.
He chuckled. “Not my type.”
“You know, I’m thinking almost anyone is his. Well, any guy, that is.”
“I think you may be right.”
“You have a type?” The throwaway question brought her up short. That was a friend question. One she hadn’t even thought about before asking him. Like before Italy. Before he came here and turned her life on end.
“Female.”
She walked back into the living room and started to gather up dessert plates, glasses, and empty wine bottles. “That’s a broad field. Pun intended.”
“Oh, that’s funny.”
His grin made her heart skip a beat. “Let’s see, as I recall, there were short ones, tall ones, round ones—”
“Whoa!” He reached out and halted her. Gingerly, he removed the tray from her hands and set it on the coffee table. “Rach.” His sigh washed over her, making her insides flutter.
When his arms came around her, she melted. She rested her head on his chest, hearing the steady beat pick up speed and feeling enveloped in his essence. “What are we doing?” she whispered.
His big, warm hands rubbed her back. “Hell if I know.”
That husky voice poured over her like smooth whiskey. It burned and hit her right in her gut, spreading wide and fast. “Why do I feel you’re pushing me into this new life?”
“Because it’s true.”
“What’s so wrong with the old one?”
“It’s not working anymore.”
“That life or us?”
Turning his head, he nuzzled his face in her hair. “Both, Rach. I’ve been lying to you.” The words, so soft and so simple, seemed as if they were ripped from him.
They cut her to the quick.
***
He’d gotten out the booze, the good stuff.
once upon a romance 09 - hoodwinked by a wolfe Page 9
