"Just got here. " He brushed his lips over her cheek. "Jo kept changing her shoes. She just went upstairs with Hayley. Said she had to peek at the baby. "
"I'll find her. Lose your fiancee, Logan?"
&nb
sp; "She's everywhere. " He shrugged, sipped from his pilsner. "Woman can't rest until she's checked every detail personally. Nice party, Roz. "
"Oh, you hate parties. "
Now Logan grinned, a quick grin that added charm to his rugged looks. "A lot of people. But the food's first-rate, the beer's cold, and my date's the most beautiful woman in the world. Tough to complain. Don't tell her daddy, but I plan to lure her out to the gardens later to neck. "
He winked at Will, then shifted his gaze. "Your Dr. Carnegie just came in. Seems to be looking for you - or somebody. "
"Oh?" Roz glanced around, and those expressive eyebrows lifted. He'd worn a suit, stone gray, that flattered his lean build. He'd gotten a haircut since the last time she'd seen him, she noted, and was looking a little moreGQ than professorial.
She could admit, to herself at least, that it was a treat to study him either way.
Still, he seemed slightly befuddled with the crowd, and shook his head when one of the efficient servers offered him a glass from a tray of champagne.
"Excuse me just a minute," she said to Will and Logan.
She started to wind her way through the room, and broke her stride when his gaze skimmed over, then locked on her face.
She felt a little bump under her heart, and a quickening of pulse she found both baffling and embarrassing.
He just hones in, she thought. Those eyes just zeroed right on in so she felt - anyone would feel - that she was the only person in the room. A good trick in a space jammed with people and noise, and just a little disconcerting.
But her expression was easy and friendly as she walked to him.
"I'm so glad you could come. "
"When you throw a party, you mean it. I could see the lights from a mile away. You don't actually know all these people, do you?"
"Never seen them before in my life. What can I get you to drink?"
"Club soda, lime. "
"There's a bar set up over here. " To guide him, she laid a hand on his arm. "Let's get you fixed up. "
"Thanks. Listen, I have something for you. A gift. "
He dug into his pocket as they crossed to the bar, then offered her a small wrapped box.
"That's completely unnecessary, and awfully sweet. "
"Just a thanks for bailing me out with the gift for my niece. " He ordered his drink. "You look . . . amazing is the word that springs to mind, withspectacular coming right behind it. "
"Thank you. "
"From head. " His gaze skimmed down to her silver-heeled sandals - and the ruby-red toenails. "To toe. "
"My mama always said a woman wasn't groomed unless her toenails were painted. It's one of the few pieces of advice she gave me I agreed with. Should I open this now?"
He'd barely glanced at the rubies, though his amateur antiquer's eye judged them to be vintage. But the toes. The toes were terrific.
"What?"
"The gift. " She smiled. It was hard not to be pleased, and a little bit smug, when a man was enraptured by your feet. "Should I open it now?"