"Stay away from her, Dalton."
Randy stiffened, poised for a fight just as Annabelle realized she recognized that voice.
"Vaughn," she said, so happy to see him, her soaring emotions should have been illegal.
"So this is the infamous Brandon Vaughn." Sophie's voice filled with awe. "I've been dying to meet you." She held out her hand. "I'm Sophie Jordan, Annabelle's middle sister."
"The brain and the busybody all rolled into one package," Annabelle said, grinning.
These two important people in her life shook hands, then Vaughn turned to Randy, a scowl on his handsome face.
"I take it you two don't need introductions?" Annabelle asked the men.
"I recognize him from newspaper photos," Vaughn said, his disgust evident. "That's enough for me."
"Man, you're uptight." Randy shook his head and laughed, breaking the testosterone-filled tension. "I know you're retired, but you should really think about still working out. It relieves stress."
"I'll keep that in mind," he said to Dalton, then turned to Annabelle. "You seriously were involved with this guy?"
Annabelle groaned. "How'd you know that?" Because for all the things she and Vaughn had confided in one another, Randy's name had never come up. Just showed how insignificant a part he'd played in her life, Annabelle thought.
"I read the papers."
"And do you always believe everything you read?" She tipped her head to the side and said, "You've had enough experience with reporters to know their stories don't always give the most flattering of portrayals."
"She's got a point," Randy said.
"Shut up," Annabelle muttered.
Vaughn pulled her away from Randy, closer to his side. "I know better than to believe the rags but the fact remains you two were an item, he hurt you and now if he doesn't stay the hell away, I'm going to hurt him."
Annabelle's eyes opened wide, shocked at this display of primitive emotion.
"Come on, Randy," Sophie urged. "Let's go get a drink." She pulled at his hand, then gave Annabelle a look of apology. "We're still working on his foot in mouth problem," she explained. "Nice to meet you, Vaughn. Maybe we'll get a chance to talk later."
In Sophie-speak, Annabelle knew that meant Sophie wanted to grill Vaughn about his feelings. For Annabelle. And that would not be happening, Annabelle thought and glared daggers at her sibling.
"Or not." Sophie grinned and grabbed Randy's hand. In fact, she laced her fingers through his in an intimate, comfortable manner as she led him away.
As a waiter passed, Annabelle placed her empty drink on his tray.
"Your sister and Dalton look like they're an item," Vaughn said.
Annabelle burst out laughing. "No, Sophie just knows how to work an idiot like Dalton."
Vaughn met her gaze. "If there was something going on would you be jealous?" he asked, surprisingly real questions in his gaze.
"Heck no!" she answered honestly. "Believe me Randy's my-"
"Ex. I know."
She grinned. "Very ex and it's nice to see you again," she said, changing the subject. "Make that very nice."
Vaughn's smile reached his eyes, as he answered. "It's damn good to see you, too."
"Do you mean that?" she asked, knowing her in- i security was obvious and not caring. "Because if I didn't know better, I'd think you were avoiding my calls."
Vaughn reached out and cupped her cheek in his hand. That was Annabelle, he thought. Astute as always. He had been avoiding her, hoping his need for her would disappear.