Cady stared down at the woman. The music, classic big band, was a little loud, so maybe she’d misheard. “Sense?” So GG was on the same page as Cady? If that was the case, this wedding was doomed.
“She is dancing.” GG moaned. “In heels. Heels?”
Cady laughed then. Bianca was not the most graceful of girls. She had a trick ankle that gave out all the time. Wearing heels was never a good idea. But dancing in them? “Maybe Zach is a great dancer?”
GG pointed. “I left. I couldn’t bear to watch anymore.”
“Want me to go check?” Cady asked, glancing in the direction of the music.
“Yes, please.” GG patted her again. “And bring me some champagne on your way back.”
Cady grinned. “Okay.”
She crossed the room, smiling her dazzling smile at the gentleman ogling her from the corner. Maybe she’d get lucky after all? If she could find someone to help her stop thinking about Patton, the night wouldn’t be a total loss... The woman next to him—his wife perhaps—intercepted his look and scowled. Cady didn’t envy him the set down he was getting. Another reason commitment didn’t appeal to her. She didn’t belong to anyone and had no desire to.
By the time she’d reached the dance floor, she was more relaxed. If nothing else, the music was good and the drinks were plentiful. She could do this, she could get through tonight—for Bibi. And keep a close eye on Zach Ryan in the process.
The band was playing “In the Mood” and, from the smile on her face, Bianca was having the time of her life. Zach was swinging her all over the place, making it look easy. One perk, he could dance. She zeroed in on him, assessing every inch of him.
Two perks then. Zach Ryan was very attractive. But that didn’t mean he was husband material for Bibi.
Her elbow was bumped, jostling her attention. A small crowd had gathered, watching the spin and twirl around the dance floor. Bibi was flushed and bright eyed—there was no denying her near-blissful state. She couldn’t help but smile—along with everyone else lining the dance floor—as Bianca laughed out loud...
Wait a minute, she frowned, ratcheting down her emotions. It was a party. People laughed at parties. Just because they danced well together didn’t mean they were a good couple. She’d have to get over all the doe eyes and blushing to figure out if this guy was the real deal.
Bianca had a lot on her plate, barely keeping the shop open. A distraction like Zach could be costly. A distraction that could totally destroy Bianca’s heart... Cady’s heart rate picked up, her anxiety and worry mounting. She had to stay cool, calm and collected. If she went on the immediate offensive, she’d be risking Bianca’s friendship, and she couldn’t bear the thought of that.
“Champagne?” A server held a silver tray of flutes full of golden
bubbles.
She took a glass of champagne from the tray, nodding her thanks at the server, and took a long sip.
That’s when she saw him. Him him. Patton.
He was completely frozen, staring at her from the other side of the room.
3
PATTON ALMOST BROKE the champagne stem in half. What the hell was she doing here? Now? When his tension was at an all-time high and his patience at an all-time low. Best course of action—avoid her and prevent his total loss of control. She hadn’t seen him yet. There was still time. But he couldn’t move.
She was mesmerizing, demanding his attention. He swallowed. Her green dress plunged low, revealing too much of the silky soft breasts he remembered so fondly. The skirt skimmed the tops of her knees, showcasing killer calves in mile-high heels. He’d kissed the dip behind her knee, caressed every inch of those legs. And damn, seeing her now, he knew he would to do it again.
When she tipped back her champagne glass, those big brown eyes locked with his. The bolt of recognition, of want, of need, knocked the air from his lungs. Color flooded her cheeks as she tipped her glass in silent salute. But it was her smile that forced him toward her, right as the music stopped. The crowd around the dance floor broke up, milling about and blocking his path. When he looked again, she was gone.
Was he going crazy? It was possible. He sure as hell spent too much time working and too little time sleeping. When he wasn’t working, he was walking the dog, skimming books or aimlessly flipping channels. Cady had given him something to think about, something to soothe the ache in his chest. She’d been the first thing to push aside from his mind the accident, his brother Russ’s death and the fallout with his father. He’d thought about her a lot—too much. And thinking about her had side effects—like wanting her. Wanting her so bad that long cold showers had cut into his already limited sleep time. Maybe that’s why he saw her. Because nothing sounded as good as touching her, of losing himself in her. God knows he’d rather be in bed with her right now than be here.
“Guess it’s a good thing we had to take dance lessons when we were little?” Spence clapped him on the shoulder.
Patton shook his head, still scanning the room. “I have yet to find a use for them.”
“I think you actually have to dance,” Spence teased. “Speaking of which, Ellie is here.”
“Why?” But Patton knew the answer. Ellie had been his fiancée—for less than two months—four years ago. She couldn’t handle his long hours or the danger his job put him in. When his brother Russ died, Ellie had waited a few weeks before quietly breaking it off. He hadn’t blamed her. Or been hurt by the breakup. The accident had changed a lot of things. Since Ellie had never become involved with someone else, she must still be pining for Patton. Or so his mother suggested—over and over.
Patton shook his head. “Great.” He sighed. No sign of Ellie. He frowned. He’d been too busy imagining his hot one-night stand to notice Ellie anyway. He was in serious trouble.
“Damn, Patton, Zach might not have noticed your hangdog expression yet, but it’s kind of hard to miss.” Spence shook his head. “Want a drink?”