He grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and approached the woman, noting with pleasure that she got even prettier the closer he came. She looked up, smiling boldly as he held out his offering to her.
Oh, champagne! she said, her blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Thank you. Im Liz Van Zandt. And who might you Her voice trailed off, and her gaze focused on something faraway and over his left shoulder. He turned to look, then felt a momentary deflation when he saw what had snagged her attention.
Eric. Why did his handsome, rich, and well-meaning little brother always intrude at the wrong time? Social situations, business, it didnt matter. Didnt he know how annoying perfection could be?
Is something wrong, Miss Van Zandt? Now, what the hell was her first name? Faces stayed in his brain on permanent record, but he had an appalling memory when it came to names.
Huh? Oh, sorry. The woman returned her attention to Nick. I believe thats Eric Statler, near the podium, she said casually.
Yeah. Thats Eric, all right.
You know him? she asked hopefully.
Yeah.
Really? She continued to study Eric with undisguised hunger. Is he as smart and hardworking as everyone says?
Hes an okay guy, Nick was forced to admit. It would be so much easier if he could hate Eric, but he couldnt. His younger, half brother was pretty cool.
The woman continued to wax enthusiastic. I was just doing some reading about Eric Statler. This one article said he baled his black-sheep brothers airline out of bankruptcy, took it over, then fired him. Or the brother quit, no ones sure.
The brother quit, Nick confirmed, gritting his teeth. That wretched magazine story, back to haunt him again. Eric had bought up a majority share in Lone Star Air so that his half brother would be free to fund a new start-up. That was what Nick did best. Lone Star wasnt, and never had been, near bankruptcy, but the press loved to twist things around, give commonplace events more drama.
Oh, so then you must know the real story, she said. Not that Im into gossip, but I had a feeling the magazine account wasnt accurate. Care to enlighten me?
Why are you interested? Nick wanted to know.
Because I want to discuss business with him. And Id like to have the facts before I do.
Nick shook his head. Hed already spent far too much of his life apologizing for his position within the Statler family. Hed vowed not to do it again. He was over that, on to bigger and better things.
The matters confidential, he said.
Hmm. Well, in that case, is there any chance you could introduce me to him?
Maybe that wasnt such a bad idea, Nick conceded. This woman was gorgeous, but in the last thirty seconds hed decided she wasnt his type. Too brassy, too forward. And she was spreading lies about him, to boot, although not intentionally.
I might be able to arrange an introduction. Yeah, hed like to watch his brother handle this hot potato. Women came at Eric by the dozens, with strategies both subtle and obvious. He was curious to see what this one would try.
He held out his arm. Come with me, Ms. Van Zandt. Ill take you to meet my brother.
Who?
My brother. Eric Statler. You told me your name, but I neglected to tell you mine. Its Nick Raines.
He enjoyed the look of discomfiture on the pretty blondes face. He could read her thoughts. She was torn. Should she apologize for that black-sheep business? Or should she recover her dignity as best she could and make her escape?
LIZ WISHED she could sink right into the carpet. Shed stumbled into a golden opportunitymeeting Eric Statlers half brotherand shed bungled it. Foot-in-mouth disease was one of her shortcomings. She was bubbly, talkative, not at all shy like Bridget, and she was tops on the invitation list to just about any party, but she had a distinct problem when it came to tact. Sometimes words just came out of her mouth, bypassing her brain entirely.
I apologize for any hurtful remarks, she finally said when shed recovered her composure. I hadnt realized who you were, of course, or I might have been more discreet.
Dont worry, Ive been insulted by worse than you, Nick Raines said easily. Invitations still good. Want to meet Eric?
Liz swallowed her embarrassment. Sure, Id like that. She took Nicks proffered arm and allowed him to lead her through the crowd. He was a nice-looking man, she conceded, but not her type at all. He had a solemnity to his personality, a shadow in his eyes, that wouldnt mix well with her fun-loving attitude. She could see him more easily dating someone like Bridget, who could spend hours just reading poetry or studying the play of light and shadow in a tree.
Maybe, once she made friends with Eric, she would get Nick and Bridget together. But right now, she had to focus on her own impending moment of truth. Nick was leading her unerringly toward her target, Oaksboros golden boy himself.
Even from several feet away she could feel his charisma. He was undeniably handsome, yes, with his blond, suntanned, clean-cut good looks. Piercing blue eyes, square jaw, broad shoulders, commanding heightclearly no one could argue his physical appeal. But it was more than that. He carried himself with a certain arrogance, yet his smile was friendly, and she could tell that he listened attentively whenever anyone spoke to him.
Her heart beat double time. What was she going to say to him? Shed better have one hell of an opening line or she wouldnt stand a chance, not when so many of his admirers were attractive female types.
Eric looked up as Nick and Liz approached. There you are, he said to Nick. Mothers been looking for you.
Terrific. Nick pulled Eric aside to where they could converse semiprivately. Eric, Id like you to meet Ms. Van Zandt.
Liz held out her hand, still trying to come up with that perfect bon mot that would catch and hold this magnificent mans attention. Its Liz, she said smoothly. And then the words just poured out of her mouth. My sister is very grateful to you.
And why is that? Eric asked pleasantly, shaking her hand. His hand was strong, his grip firm. He listened to her with that same undivided attention shed seen him devote to others, and it unnerved her.
Well, shes pregnant, and in a way youre responsible!
Erics smile froze. Ms. Van Zandt, I dont take accusations of that nature lightly
Oh, wait, that came out all wrong
One more word, and youll be talking to my lawyers, is that clear?
I didnt mean it the way it sounded
This conversation is over. I dont wish to make a scene at a charity event, but I trust I wont lay eyes on you again this evening. He turned and strode away.
Liz turned toward Nick, so she could at least explain to him what shed meant, but the crowd had claimed him, also.
Foot-in-mouth disease strikes again, Liz murmured. She skulked away, wondering how she was going to explain her utter, humiliating failure to Bridget.
TEHRE YOU ARE, Mrs. Hampton said, limping arthritically toward Bridget, who was doing her best imitation of wallpaper. Again. She just wasnt any good at parties. My, such a crowd here. You are having a good time, arent you?
TEHRE YOU ARE, Mrs. Hampton said, limping arthritically toward Bridget, who was doing her best imitation of wallpaper. Again. She just wasnt any good at parties. My, such a crowd here. You are having a good time, arent you?
Well, not as good as Liz, Bridget couldnt resist remarking. Her sister really knew how to work a party. She mingled, she chitchatted, she glowed.
Oh, you know how Liz is, Mrs. Hampton said, patting Bridgets hand as she pulled her along. Come, now, theres someone else I want you to meet. This one is in the art supply business. Now, promise me you wont talk shop all night.
Promise, Bridget said. Lord, could this get any worse? She wished brazen Liz would just walk right up to Eric Statler and introduce herself. Then Bridget could consider the night a success and go home.
Here we are. Bridget Van Zandt, meet Fred Santoro.
How do you do, Mr.
The pudgy, fiftyish man shook her hand while his gaze focused firmly on her cleavage. Nice to meet you, honey. Say, thats some dress. Really displays the goods to perfection, know what I mean?
Yikes! She was afraid she did. She looked helplessly for Mrs. Hampton, who had immediately disappeared.
You married, little lady?
Oh, barfola. Little lady? Um, well
He upped the wattage of his leer. Ah, I see. No ring. You must be one of these liberated gals, dont want to be tied down with a kitchen and kids. Yeah, I understand. He winked, then took her arm and tried to lead her away. At such close proximity, she could smell overindulgence on his breath. Do you like Cadillacs?
Bridget dug in her heels. Let me go.
Whats the matter, honey? he asked, genuinely befuddled. Maybe this approach usually worked for him, but she couldnt imagine how.
Listen, Mr. Santoro, Im not your honey and Im not going anywhere with you.
He looked skeptical.
Feeling panicked, she resorted to a lie. Theres my husband, thats him, right over there. She pointed to a complete stranger who stood out from the crowd, and not just because of his clothing. He was tall. And gorgeous. And a bit out of place in this fancy gilt ballroom with his outdoorsy good looks. She could picture him riding a horse or chopping wood or paddling a kayak.
He watched her, amused for some reason.
Her mouth went dry. My, my, why hadnt Mrs. Hampton introduced her to him?
Mr. Santoro immediately released her. Oh, um, sorry, there, now, didnt mean to step on any toes. He literally backed away, ducking his head, holding his hands out as if beseeching forgiveness before disappearing behind an ice sculpture.
I see youve made another conquest.
Bridget nearly jumped out of her high heels. The manthe fictitious husbandhad materialized at her side, and he was looking at her through intriguing gray eyes with a mixture of amusement and disapproval. Surely he hadnt been standing close enough a few moments ago to hear her fib to Mr. Santoro.
I, um, apologize for pointing at you, she said, stumbling on every word. But that man wasI told him you were my, er, husband just to get rid of him. I hope I didnt embarrass you.
He shrugged. As long as you dont hold me to it.
She looked at him quizzically. Well, of course not.
Did you have a nice chat with my brother? Sorry I didnt stick around after the introductions.
Who? Bridget asked, even more confused. And then it hit her. This man, this gorgeous man with the steely eyes and the rebellious wardrobe, thought she was Liz. Her social-butterfly sister must have already gotten to him. And, Bridget thought, judging from the way hed been sparring with her, Liz had probably done something to provoke him.
She was about to explain about her twin when he asked, Exactly how many glasses of champagne have you had?
She drew herself up. None. I cant drink alcohol because Imwell, Im pregnant. There, shed admitted it. She wasnt planning to keep it a secret, after all, and in another three months or so she wouldnt be able to, anyway.
His teasing smile fell away. Congratulations. I guess that means Ill have to stop flirting with you. If I dont want your husband to deck me, that is.
You dont have to worry about that, she said as matter-of-factly as she dared. Im not married.
Well, the babys father, then, he said, frowning.
I wouldnt even know who that is. You see, I was art
No need for explanations. The look he gave her was suddenly cold, uncompromising. And definitely disapproving.
But its not what you think. You see
He actually backed away from her. Really. Enough said.
Will you let me finish?
He waited for her to go on, but his expression was so implacable she suddenly couldnt imagine what possessed her to confide anything to him.
Oh, never mind, she finally said in a much cooler tone. I guess this isnt the time or place to defend a lifestyle choice. But I might caution you not to make snap judgments. Enough said is a convenient way of cutting off what you think you dont want to hear. She turned away, tears burning at the back of her eyes.
Wait. You never told me what you thought of my brother.
Bridget, longing to flee this train wreck of a conversation, paused. A sneaking suspicion occurred to her.
Your brother?
Eric, he supplied, a tad impatiently.
Bridget just nodded. If she tried to explain now about Liz, things would only get more confusing. Nice guy, she said, then made good her escape.
NICE GUY?
Nick watched her retreat with mixed feeling. Earlier hed decided she wasnt his type, only to reconsider a few moments ago. Just now shed seemed funny and vulnerable and altogether his type, and hed been questioning his sanity in dismissing her before. Hed been crazy to introduce her to Eric! Then shed blithely announced she was pregnant, sans husband, and hed had to revise his opinion yet again.
Her announcement had truly surprised him. Didnt anybody get married and have families in a normal way these days? He didnt like to think of himself as a judgmental kind of person, but he supposed he was. Not about everything. But the irresponsible conception of children hit a nerve. His unmarried mother hadnt meant to get pregnant with him, but she had. And hed endured the consequences, both before and after her marriage to his stepfather, Eric Statler, Jr.
If Ms. Van Zandthe still couldnt remember her first namewas so careless about bringing another life into the world, that was her choice. Still, part of him wished he hadnt alienated her. Even now he felt a tremendous urge to scour the ballroom until he found her again and apologizefor what, he didnt know.
SO, BRIDGET THOUGHT when she was safely away from the self-superior lout, shed been talking to Eric Statlers brother and hadnt even realized it. Apparently Liz hadnt been as slow-witted. Shed finagled an introduction to Eric.
Good for her! Mission accomplished. Now all Bridget wanted was to get out of this stuffy ballroom and kick off her heels. First, however, she had to locate Liz and find out how the meeting went.
She looked all over but couldnt find her twin. How was it that a woman as flamboyant and noticeable as Liz could manage to become invisible?