"You'd better make sure no one spikes your drink" a familiar voice said.
Micki drew her shoulders back and turned to face Rick Carter. "Long time no see. I'm sorry I can't say I missed you," she said to the man who'd started her roller-coaster affair with Damian Fuller.
Carter inclined his head. "I'm sorry for changing your drink order that night. I'm sorry for a lot of things," he said.
She narrowed her gaze. "You look like the Carter I know but you don't sound like him." She knew his situation with Carole had to have changed how he viewed life, but considering how he'd treated Micki in the past, she wasn't about to give him the benefit of the doubt so easily.
"I don't blame you for hating me. I just wanted to say I was sorry and maybe one day we can get past it and be friends?"
She nodded warily. "Apology accepted." She'd been taught manners, after all. "As for the future, you'll understand if I reserve judgment"
"Fair enough." He started to walk away and paused. "I really am trying to turn over a new leaf. Even if that paternity test doesn't name me-"
"You took the test already?" Micki asked, stunned.
"We sure did, though it takes two weeks to get the results."
"I see.
"
She knew Damian had gone to Florida with Carter but she hadn't known the result of their discussion. She certainly had no idea they'd all taken tests. Because she hadn't returned his calls, Micki thought. Instead she'd had her secretary keep her up to date on anything Damian needed professionally, and there'd been nothing. So how could she have known?
"Well good luck. I hope things turn out the way you want them to."
He inclined his head. "Thanks for that"
He walked away, leaving Micki alone with her ice water and stuffy nose. Her head hurt badly. As long as things here were under control, she might as well tell Sophie she was heading home.
Micki looked around for her sister and finally spotted her red dress across the room. She started toward Sophie when a firm hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Going somewhere?" Damian asked.
Micki stepped back and looked into his dark gaze. "I didn't realize you'd be here."
"Why not? All the Renegades were on the invitation list."
She shrugged. "I know. I just thought…you wouldn't be in the mood for a party."
"I'm not. But (a) it's for a good cause, (b) you put the event together and (c) I knew you'd be here. Any one of those reasons works for me."
His grin turned her insides into a mushy mess. "Well thanks for coming but I was just leaving."
His smile quickly faded. "Why the rush? I was hoping to talk to you."
As much as she'd love to spend more time with him, Micki had already decided to protect her heart. "I'm not feeling well. Why don't you call me?"
"Because you don't answer my messages. Come on, one dance. We'll talk and then you can go home and take care of that cold," he said, his voice gruff and just short of pleading.
Before she could reply, he grabbed her hand and led her out to the dance floor. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her toward him, his body flush with hers.
Her back tingled where his palm rested. "You don't want to get too close. You'll catch my cold."
"I'm not worried. So how's your uncle doing?" he asked, his breath warm against her ear. His body moved in a graceful glide around the dance floor, sweeping her along with him.
"He's fine. Driving people in the rehab place nuts but he shouldn't be out of commission too long."
Damian nodded. "That's good. I'll get by to see him this week."