“Oh,” she said guiltily. “Oh, Honey. How—how are you?”
“Fine, Eve. Fine. I’m fine.” Honey’s lips stretched in a smile, though her amber eyes held shadows that looked anything but fine. “Just—just needing a quiet moment. There’s so much going on.”
“Is there? Yeah, well. ’Course. I guess you should have an early night. With all the …excitement to come.”
“You’re right. I intend to. Oh, and hey.” She moved a little closer, swung her arms at her sides the way she always had when she was nervous. “I want to say how pleased Brent and I are that you came all this way just for us. Bellefleur probably seems like Hicksville to you now.”
“No, it doesn’t. I love Bellefleur. Anyway, I …had to come.” Eve lowered her gaze. “I wouldn’t have missed it.” A small but rocky silence fell. Struggling for something safe to say, anything, Honey’s younger sister popped into Eve’s head and saved the day. “So… So then. Where’s Nina? I felt sure she’d be here tonight.”
“She will, but not till later. She’s been unavoidably delayed. She really wanted to be here for this, she sincerely did. She’s devastated to miss it.”
“I’m sure.”
“She’s bursting to see us all. Honestly. It’ll be the first time she’s been home in seven years.”
Eve nodded. “Yeah. I heard that.” Then noting the shadow cross Honey’s face, she hastened to add, “Seven, though? Is it really? That’s a long time. ”
“Listen, it’ll be fine,” Honey said fiercely. “Just fine.”
“Oh, sure, sure it will. Why wouldn’t it? You must be so…looking forward to seeing her.”
“I am. And anyway, I—I want to tell you how grateful I am to have at least one of my old friends present here tonight. And looking so beautiful. Like a real New Yorker. You know…” She started to talk so fast words tumbled over themselves. “My imagination has been running wild. Don’t laugh, but I was even worried that you and Brent… Well, I know he has a great big soft spot for you, since you and he were so close and all at one time. How silly can one woman be.” She rolled her eyes, then spread her arms. “But here you are, having a great time. And we’re all great friends. ” She beamed, the sincerity in her eyes stirring Eve with a terrible, heart-crushing doubt. “Thank you, Eve. Thank you.” She surged forward and threw her arms around Eve in a hug so warm Eve felt momentarily immobilized with shock.
But… Well, what else was she to do?
She wrapped her arms around Honey and hugged her right back. All those times together when they were kids flashed through Eve’s mind, secrets they’d exchanged, jelly beans they’d shared, the seventh-grade science project…
When the clinch ended she was jolted to see actual tears in Honey’s eyes.
“Honey. Oh, Honey. Are you all right, darlin’? Is everything all right?”
Honey waved a hand in teary, smiling dismissal and tottered into a cubicle to sit on the toilet lid. Shoulders sagging, she leaned forward and rested her blond head in her hands. “Oh, sure. Sure it is. I’ve just had so much to think of, you know?” Her voice wobbled. “Undercurrents. The cousins from hell. Parents and in-laws. Then there’s the catering. The video guy. Daddy. My wedding planner deserted at the last minute. Can you believe that? Thank the Lord for Gracie Lee. But it’s as if everyone else in the world is conspiring to prevent me from marrying the person I was made for.” She heaved a weary sigh. “I guess I shouldn’t complain. You know what they say about weddings.”
“I know. But…” Eve was seized with a fierce and overwhelming desire to comfort her. Smooth away all the obstacles. “Listen. The rehearsal is meant to be a disaster. But it’ll be all right on the day. That’s what we say in show biz. And it will,” she added warmly. “I know it will.”
Honey looked up, her eyes brimming with hope. “Oh, Eve. You’re a jewel. How could I have forgotten how wonderful you are when the chips are down? It’s exactly as Brent always said. You’re perfect at knowing just the right word or gesture when folks are buckling. ”
Eve swallowed the compliment, stunned, if the truth be told. Had Brent truly said that? A jagged thought lurched into her mind. Had he been buckling that night in Dallas?
Was that the reason he’d kissed her?
She pushed the notion away. It was far too hard and prickly to focus on right now.
To ease the awkward moment, she segued into some gossipy chitchat that had Honey laughing, then after a few more girlish giggles similar to the ones back in junior high, waved and escaped.
Outside in the Magnolia Room, Eve was seized by an overwhelming need to see Rainer. She really needed to talk to him.
But… Could they talk to each other now? After…?
She scanned from wall to wall, but there was no sign of him. Maybe he was like her, reliving the moment somewhere private, though she doubted it. A cool guy like Rainer had probably forgotten all about her by now and was involved in some political discussion about events in Somalia.
Heading for the buffet, Eve was just considering plunging some strawberries into the chocolate fountain—so typical of vulgar Delacroix excess—when she saw Honey return from the bathroom. Honey paused to glance around, then broke into a wide grin. Following the direction of her gaze, Eve’s heart gave a savage lurch.
Rainer was over by the entrance.
He was beckoning Honey, and like a puppet on a string, she was being drawn across the room to him. Well, who would resist?
Eve felt a bolt of red-hot guilt spear through her. She put out her hand, tried to catch Rainer’s eye and cancel the whole stupid plot, but his attention was fixed on Honey.
Mesmerized, Eve watched Honey smile trustingly up at him. He bent his head to say something to her, then before Eve’s eyes, Honey went with him.
At the very last instant before they disappeared through the entrance, Rainer glanced back over his shoulder and fired a glance across the room straight at Eve.
Eve’s insides jarred. She knew what that look meant. Over to her.
…
Rainer was drunk.
Drunk on desire. Reeling from the lingering intoxication of Eve in his senses. He knew it would kill him if he didn’t have her under him tonight.
This veranda was just too popular. Seemed everyone needing fresh night air and a quiet place to talk was out here. Steering Honey to the quieter side of the house, Rainer cursed himself for being such a stand-up guy. Why the hell had he insisted on fulfilling his side of this devil’s bargain?
For all he knew Eve could be back right now in that private little office, pouring her heart out to the fool who’d let her go.
Drinking him in with her dark eyes. Flashing him that heartbreaking smile. Kissing him…
Rainer felt something like a hot skewer stab straight through his vitals.
Would she do that now? He shook his head to shake the image. Surely not. He truly doubted she would. He felt pretty certain he’d caught a glimpse of the true woman inside the actress.
But what about Brent? Could anyone trust him? What if the guy changed his mind again and went for Eve?
He glanced down at Honey. Unless he was much mistaken, the bride had her doubts about her love. Those muscles in her neck looked taut with tension.
Maybe a shot of confidence would help her bind the guy to her and hold him close. If there was one thing Rainer needed to know this night, it was that his cousin was keeping faith with Honey Moreau and not making some loony, last-minute break to grab the most gorgeous woman in Louisiana.
He leaned against the railing and sucked in some air. “What’s that scent? I’ve missed the smell of Bellefleur.”
“Honeysuckle, of course,” Honey said in her soft voice. How could a man dream of hurting a woman like this? Brent ought to be shot. “Do you think you’ll ever come back here to settle down?”
“I might. When I find the woman.”
“What will she be like, do you think?”
He smiled to himself. A vision flash
ed into his head of dark velvet eyes sparkling with mischief, and his blood surged dangerously. “Sweet. Sassy. Tenderhearted. Complicated.”
Honey’s eyes brightened. “Sounds like you’ve got someone in mind.”
“That wouldn’t be altogether impossible,” he conceded. Noticing the anxious glance she cast over her shoulder, he added, “Relax. He won’t run away.”
At the image that conjured, something inside him clenched like a fist. Not with Eve, he wouldn’t. Not if Rainer had anything to do with it.
Honey gave a shaky laugh. “You know, sometimes I wonder if I can be sure of that.”
“Why shouldn’t you be?” He smiled down into her eyes with the easy assurance he was famous for when dicing with death. “The guy’s crazy about you. I’ve been there. I know.”
“You think?” She looked hesitantly at him, dropped her lashes. Toyed with a creeper frond protruding from the latticework. “Eve’s looking very pretty tonight.”
Even the sound of Eve’s name threatened to revive Rainer’s hard-on.
He sighed. “She is very pretty. But there isn’t a woman in this parish who needs to worry about losing her man to Eve.”
Honey gazed sidelong at him. “How can you say that?”
It was Rainer’s turn to hesitate. He couldn’t be absolutely sure he was in a position to say so, but it was the best way he could think of to give Honey a needful shot of security.
He smiled. “Because I don’t like to share.”
Honey’s eyes widened.
…
Eve was stalled by the dessert buffet, dithering. The moment had arrived. Her opportunity to corner Brent and…what? Talk to him? Stir him to the core with her words of love? Seduce him? After she’d been with Rainer?
Everything in her recoiled from the prospect.
Right now, in fact, she could see Brent not that far away, chatting to the boys in the band. It would be the easiest thing in the world to intercept him on his way back to his table.
Had a woman ever found herself in a more emotionally complex situation?
She plunged into an agony of indecision. It would be her last opportunity to tell him how she felt, although if she did tell him, what then? Her chat with Honey was still fresh and alive in her mind, and as for Rainer…Oh, Lord. Rainer’s arms around her had been so fantastic. While those glorious moments in the room…
Oh, the room.
Honey’s face… Rainer’s lips… Honey… Rainer… Honey… She was so confused.
“Why are you staring so hard at that chocolate fountain? Spotted something alive in there? Catfish? Coupla ’gators?”
Eve jumped and nearly upset a tray of strawberry tiramisu. Just like her most guilty of all fantasies, except it was taking place here in public, Brent of all people had breezed up and was grinning in the easygoing, teasing way of his that was so infectious.
Thank the Lord for adrenaline rushes. Summoning a smile, she achieved her smoothest face. Even that guy at the Village Players would have been impressed.
“Wouldn’t be surprised.” She risked one fleeting eye-clash. As usual, Brent’s were as unthreatening as a summer sky. “I—I was wondering if Aunt Minna has noticed this yet.”
“What would she think? Another example of the tacky Delacroix taste?”
“Maybe. Something like that.” She grinned.
Brent laughed. “You know, I’ve missed hearing about Minna.”
“Yeah?” She lowered her lashes. “I’ve missed things too. Those projects we worked on. All our research. The bayous. The Great Egret.”
“The great what?” He looked bemused, then his eyes lit up. “Oh, right. Yeah. The egret. I’d forgotten. You really soaked up all that stuff, didn’t you? Yeah, I have something to thank you for there. It’ll all look good in my CV when I run for president.” He chuckled. “You know, you should visit more often. Is life in New York so fascinating you haven’t got time for your old friends?” His blue eyes scanned her face.
The kiss in the piano bar flashed into Eve’s head, but she dropped her eyes. “I’m here now, aren’t I?”
“And I’m relieved. You had me worried there.” His smile faded. He looked down, and when he glanced up again his expression was serious, concerned even. “When you left so suddenly I—I thought I must have offended you in some way. Hurt your feelings. And you know, you were such a great assistant, always so passionate about the work, I’d have regretted that if it had been true.”
All those tears on her pillow. All those wishes and dreams, that wild hope that he’d come flying to New York in hot pursuit of her. Even this fantasy of confessing her love…
As he searched her face for a clue to her thoughts, she could see now how unlikely it all was. He really had no idea. Who she was. What she was. The dream she’d built on that kiss and all those long talks they’d had, had been nothing but a waste of emotion. Unrequited.
Such a waste.
Clutching her pride around her, she tossed off a laugh. “Heavens, no. You were a great boss. I just needed to try the big wide world. This job opportunity came up and —I had to drop everything and go.”
It was an Oscar-winning performance. Whether he believed in it or not didn’t even matter. It saved her face, for sure.
He nodded. “Well then, I’m glad. Honey is thrilled to have you here. Just thrilled.”
“I know. She told me. And I’m…real happy for you both. Real happy.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” There was a tiny awkward moment. Then he smiled. “Better go look for my peeps. I think the band’s about to play our song.” He lifted his hand as he walked away. “Try some of that pecan pie.”
After he’d gone,Eve’s adrenaline rate dropped about fifty notches. It took her a minute or two to practice breathing again. Was that all? Talk about an anticlimax. After all the drama and excitement she’d anticipated, who’d have predicted their fateful meeting would fall so flat?
Apart from Rainer, of course.
Her insides clenched with a sudden realization. She really had to hand it to him. The only person to be seduced had been herself. It didn’t bear thinking about. Had Rainer planned for her to feel like this?
She could see how he’d won his fine reputation as a troubleshooter. He’d recognized her as Brent’s trouble.
And he’d shot her.
Frowning, she served herself a slice of the pecan pie and got one for Minna.
“Oh, there you are,” Minna said when Eve proffered her the piece. Her eyes glowed with pleasure. “Thank you, darlin’. How’d you know?” She beamed, and Eve guessed that despite all the snakes lurking in the grass, Minna was having a great time.
She grinned fondly at the old gal. At least some people never changed.
Eve was enjoying her last bite of the pecan pie when Minna hissed a conspiratorial whisper across the table. “I notice that Rainer has finished with the bride at last. You can get another shot at him now.”
Eve only just managed not to choke. “Auntie.” She frowned, but truly, it was hard to be mad with Minna. Especially when the very same notion had occurred to her.
The evening had reached the point where guests were leaving their appointed places to party with friends across the room. Faces were softer, a little rosier. Voices had acquired a mellow hum, warmed and tenderized by fine food and drink. At the same time there was that rustle disturbing the air of big things to come, like the night before Christmas.
As Minna had announced to the world, Honey returned and settled into the chair beside Brent. Eve noticed most of the old school crowd seemed to have shifted in closer to the bridal couple. She looked around for Rainer.
Though it was still quite early, some of the oldies were making moves to leave. Minna too was negotiating with a couple of her cronies about playing a round of poker at Lady Calliope’s to round off the evening. The Fortescues could never resist the lure of the cards.
At last Eve saw Rainer. He was assisting one of the tottery old Delacroix aunts out of
her chair, his rather harsh face breaking into a smile.
Despite everything, Eve’s blood quickened. Was this how it had to be for a woman? Helplessly enthralled by a man, even after he’d made a fool of her?
If he’d been any of the boys she’d played with in the past she’d have been able to summon him to her side with just one smile. She doubted it would work with him. He stood back, a lone wolf content on the sidelines, relaxed and self-sufficient. No use trying to catch his eye. He’d played his role and moved on already.
“Would you mind if we went on ahead, darlin’?” Minna said, kissing Eve amid a flurry of wraps and evening purses. “Do you think you can find a ride home?”
“Don’t you worry, Auntie. I’ll manage. If the worst come to the worst, I’ll walk.”
“Not in those shoes.” Eve’s heart jumped. Rainer was right there, smiling down at her, a mocking light in his eyes. “Mind if I borrow this empty chair, Eve?”
She felt a deep, unholy surge in her blood. It might have been anger. It might have been purely sexual.
“Be my guest.” As Rainer sat down and drew his chair a little nearer hers, her veins resonated with a helpless excited buzz. She said softly, “I just hope you don’t mind becoming the talk of the town. I’d hate to damage the reputation of such a talented troubleshooter. ”
He looked keenly at her, eyes glinting. “But I’m not doing anything very controversial now.” He spread his lean hands to demonstrate their innocence. “Not biting your pretty neck, not kissing your ear or ruffling any black lace.”
“You don’t have to do anything.”
“Ah, but I do.” His sinful gaze clashed with hers. “As soon as possible.”
“To be talked about, I mean.”
“Aha.” His eyes gleamed. “So then. It may not even be true that you took Vance Tyler skinny-dipping on the night he was meant to propose to Jenna Mae Dixon?”
“Oh, that old fairy tale.” She waved her hand. “Who was to say he intended to propose? He didn’t mention a word of it to me.”
Rainer laughed in warm amusement, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “You’re a bad, bad girl.” He rested his hand on her thigh. “A wicked girl.”
When Honey Got Married Page 9