Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

Riley stared back, attempting not to squirm and trying not to think of this woman as his cousin, but Sophie had put the words out there and he found himself studying her for resemblances. He immediately detected similarities in their eye color, or maybe he just thought he should.

How did Sophie expect him to walk away with his pride and his emotions intact if she insisted on labeling these people in a way that indicated they ought to mean something to him? They didn’t. Not any more than he meant anything to them.

Amy shaded her eyes from the sun with one hand. “You’ve got your father’s eyes.”

Riley stiffened. Apparently he should never underestimate these Florida relatives. “You know who I am?”

Amy nodded. “Of course. My mother keeps a scrapbook of all your accomplishments. She knows Uncle Spencer will want to have it one day.”

Riley snorted in disbelief. But he couldn’t dispel the pleasurable warmth her words caused. Someone on this side of the family kept tabs on him. It just wasn’t Spencer.

“I take it Aunt Darla pretended not to know you?” Amy asked.

“I don’t know if she was pretending or not. She just didn’t acknowledge me as anyone other than a

visiting guest.” He squared his shoulders, trying not to let this woman’s prying eyes get to him. He sure as hell didn’t want her pity.

Without warning, Amy reached out and touched his arm. “Aunt Darla and Uncle Spencer are thick as thieves, as my mother likes to say. I would guess she thought she was doing what Spencer would want her to do. Although personally I think it stinks that he’s never publicly recognized you all these years.”

Riley flushed hot. His entire life he’d lived with the notion that he was an embarrassment to his real father. To have it verbalized was mortifying. To have Sophie hear it bothered him even more.

“I’m sure it’s small consolation, but my uncle Spencer is proud of you. He talks about your accomplishments all the time,” Amy said.

“I doubt it. Did you know he was gay?” He forced himself to ask.

Amy shook her head. “But now that I do, if I had to venture a guess, I’d bet he thought he was protecting you by keeping his distance, as ignorant and misguided as that might be.”

“I’d rather save this conversation for Spencer.”

Amy clasped her hands in front of her. “Aunt Darla told me you came down here hoping you’d find him.”

Sophie nodded. “Have you heard from him lately?”

“Not since the story hit the papers, poor Uncle Spencer.”

“This can’t be easy for him,” Sophie said. “Do you know whether your mother or aunt have heard from him?”

Riley wouldn’t be surprised if they caught Darla in a lie to protect her brother, but Amy shook her head.

“Not that I know of. But today is my aunt Darla’s birthday and we’re having a big bash out by the pool tonight. If Uncle Spencer’s going to show up at all, it would be for his sister’s party. I really hope you’ll join us. It’s always fun for the residents and trust me when I say it’s a sight to see.”

“What are you, the cruise director?” Riley asked. He couldn’t picture this young, vibrant woman spending her days with wackos like his aunt Darla.

Amy laughed. “A pretty good comparison. I schedule the activities and entertainment, I break up the occasional squabbles among the residents and I get free room and board. It’s not a bad life.”

“Are there any other young people here?” Sophie asked, giving voice to his thoughts.

“Enough. We aren’t a retirement place with specific rules about age. We’re a happy mix. I’m a social worker, but I hate being confined to an office all day, so this kind of job is perfect for me. So can I count on seeing you tonight?”

“We’d be happy to come.” Sophie answered for them both before Riley could even think it over.

“That’s great! You’ll get to meet my mother and hopefully Uncle Spencer will show up or at least call by then. And now we know where to find you if he does,” Amy said, a satisfied smile on her face. “Oh, FYI, it’s a luau theme and bathing suits are required. If you didn’t bring the right clothes, there’s a mall not fifteen minutes from here where you can pick up something to wear.”

“Yippee,” Riley drolly.

Sophie shot him a glare. “We’ll be fine,” she assured her.

Amy laughed. “Okay then, let me show you the house.”