Reunited with the Lassiter Bride

Leaving the dress to soak, she dumped some scented oil into the bathwater, lit a few candles, and then finally sank into the deep water. She laid her head back and let the warmth seep into her skin.

Evan’s image immediately bloomed in her mind. His anger and disappointment hurt as much now as it had in those moments on the beach. She’d known all along that he wanted a big family. She’d wanted one, too. She’d also known he was alone in the world. But she’d never imagined him being lonely.

She felt a ridiculous urge to reach out to him, comfort him, help him somehow. But she knew there was nothing she could do. She’d made her choice five long months ago when she’d decided to mistrust him, to team up with Jack Reed and fight Evan for Lassiter Media. She reminded herself for what seemed like the hundredth time that there was absolutely nothing she could do to fix things now.

Five

As he and Deke made their way across the ten-story atrium lobby of the Sagittarius Resort, Evan considered the possibility that Deke could be right about the danger of spending time with Angie. Last night, when he’d pulled her dripping and vulnerable from the surf, protectiveness had welled up inside him. He’d wanted to hoist her into his arms and carry her off. He’d been forced to slam a lid on the urge before he could figure out where he’d carry her and what he’d do when he got there.

“Maybe we should spend a couple of days here incognito,” Deke suggested. “Get rooms, check out the facilities, see how things are run.”

Lex was looking into the company’s financial records, while Evan and Deke were taking a more hands-on approach to investigating their potential purchase. So far, they’d toured the beach, the pool, the beachfront café and the gourmet restaurant on the top floor. Now, they were on their way to the eighteen-hole golf course.

Before Evan could decide on the usefulness of taking things undercover, Deke redirected his attention. “Look. There’s the sports bar.”

They altered their path, swerving to take in a couple thousand square feet of steel-gray leather, brick work and big screen TVs. The floor was worn wood, the bar top immaculate, and the pool tables in the back looked beautifully kept.

“What we should do,” Evan suggested, “is hold Matt’s bachelor party here. A round of golf, a game on the big screen, brews, burgers and a few pool matches. Then we can all book rooms and stay over. We’ll poll everyone in the morning and see how they liked their stay.”

Deke grinned. “Kill two birds with one stone? I like it. Maybe we can get Kayla and the bridesmaids to check out the spa.”

Evan’s brain wrapped itself around the thought of Angie in a spa, or anywhere else for that matter.

“I’m not interested in a hot stone massage,” Deke continued. “Never mind a facial or some waxing.”

Even shook off the image of Angie. “Ouch.”

“Yeah. Ouch. I say we sacrifice the women.”

“That kind of thinking is why you’ll never have more than one-night stands.”

“Who wants more than one-night stands?”

Evan’s phone chimed in his pocket.

“Most guys over the age of twenty-one,” he noted as he answered the familiar number. “Hey, Matt. You’re on the ground?”

“Taxiing to the terminal at LAX,” came Matt’s reply.

“Welcome home.”

“Thanks. It’s been an adventure. You around tonight?”

While Evan talked, he and Deke exited the sports bar and began to make their way to the golf course. “Sure. Absolutely. Deke and I are just checking out a place for your bachelor party.”

“Deke’s in town?” asked Matt.

“He is.”

“Can he stay for the wedding?”

“Hang on.” Evan moved the phone away from his mouth. “Matt wants to know if you can come to the wedding.”

“I already told Tiffany I’d be her date.”

The information took Evan by surprise. “You did?”

“She asked. And I still haven’t seen her naked.”

“You watch yourself,” Evan warned.

But Deke just laughed.

“He’s coming with Tiffany,” Evan told Matt.

“That’s great.” There was a muffled sound at Matt’s end of the line. “Kayla wants to know when you and Angelica got back together.”

Evan made a guess of what had happened. “She read the Morning Break?”

“She found it online while we were at JFK.”

“We aren’t back together,” Evan corrected. “Yet.”

“Well, get a move on, will you?”

“Sure. No problem. How do you feel about the Sagittarius Resort golf course and sports bar?”

“What for?”

“Your bachelor party.”

“Sounds expensive. Who’s paying?”

“Deke’s paying.”

Deke gave an unconcerned shrug.

“Then I leave it in your capable hands, best man.” There were some pings in the background, followed by a voice over the airplane loudspeaker. “We’re at the gate. I’ll call you from the apartment. I think Kayla just set up the final tux and dress fittings at the his-and-hers wedding place for tonight.”

“Text me the details.”

“Will do. And, hey man, thanks for all your help this week.”

“Happy to do it.” Evan signed off.

Deke pushed open a glass door that led to a patio and the pro shop.

“I’m not crazy about this thing with Tiffany and the wedding,” Evan felt compelled to state as they walked.

“Why not? She doesn’t have a boyfriend, and I already know Matt and Kayla. It seemed like a pretty logical solution.”

“But you’re not dating her. You’re only trying to sleep with her.”

“Of course I’m trying to sleep with her. Have you looked at her?”

“She’s Angie’s friend, Deke.”

“And you’re Angie’s ex. So you shouldn’t even care. Besides, I haven’t exactly kept my goal a secret. She knows perfectly well that I’ve got the hots for her.”

“I hope you used those exact words.”

Deke chuckled. “I did. She told me not to hold my breath.”

They came to the edge of the patio, where clusters of dining tables overlooked the golf course. Evan braced his hands on the rail, letting the topic slide. Deke was right. Tiffany knew the score, and Evan knew Deke wouldn’t push it if she said no.

As expected, the golf course was magnificent. Wide, emerald fairways followed the natural contours of the land. Palm trees swayed in the wind, while the overall layout sloped down to the cliff’s edge, offering stunning views of the blue ocean.

“They host three professional tournaments a year,” said Deke. “Plus top-flight amateur events. And their list of VIP members is impressive. I say we buy the place for the Rolodex alone.”

Evan’s phone chimed again.

Deke nodded toward the sound. “It’s hard to believe you’re currently unemployed.”

“It’s hard to believe your phone is staying so quiet.”

Deke patted his shirt pocket. “I forwarded all the business calls directly to Colby. You know, I’m beginning to think I don’t actually have a personal life.”

“You’re a workaholic,” Evan reminded him.

“True enough.”

Evan didn’t recognize the number, so he assumed it was a business call. “Hello?”

“Mr. McCain?”

“Yes.”

“This is Geoff Wilson, Los Angeles Star Daily.”

Uh oh.

“I’m doing a story on Lassiter Media, and I was wondering if you had any comment on the recent revelation that your engagement to Angelica Lassiter is back on?”

Evan knew he couldn’t alienate the press without losing Conrad’s support, so he didn’t hang up. Instead, he chose his words carefully, hoping to drop enough breadcrumbs to keep the reporter happy. “My relationship with Ms. Lassiter is a private matter.”

“She’s pictured in the Weekly Break without an engagement ring.”

“I haven’t seen that Weekly Break.”

“Does it surprise you that she’s not wearing her engagement ring?”

“It does not.” Evan covered the receiver with his hand, whispering to Deke. “Get Angelica on your phone.” He needed to warn her about potential calls from reporters. And they needed to make sure they kept their stories straight.

Deke’s brows went up, but he extracted his cell phone and dialed.

“So, you’re saying there’s no engagement?” asked Geoff Wilson.

“I’m saying it’s a private matter.”

“Where’s the ring?”

Evan decided stalling was still the best way to go. “Ms. Lassiter and I would appreciate privacy while we—”

“Are the two of you back together or not?”

“Ms. Lassiter and I would appreciate privacy while we discuss our reconciliation.”

“You do know this is L.A., right?”

Evan couldn’t help but crack a smile. “The Lassiter family has been through a difficult time.”

“How will you feel about playing second fiddle to your wife at Lassiter Media?”

“That’s not an issue, since I’m no longer working at Lassiter Media.”

Deke had turned away, and was talking in a low voice on his phone.