by Hope Ramsay
August waved his drink around and continued. “I’ve been way too easy on him. And I really think that working on Capitol Hill will teach him something. The hours are long, and the pay is terrible. And your cousin has a reputation for being hard on her staff.” August grinned and winked.
“Um, actually,” Andrew said, “I didn’t come here to negotiate on Brandon’s behalf.”
“Oh?” August took a sip of his drink. “What then? I can tell by the set of your shoulders that something has gotten under your skin.”
Damn. August was pretty good at reading body language himself.
Andrew forced himself to relax before he spoke again. “Are you and Noah Wilson negotiating some kind of merger that depends on Laurie and Brandon’s marriage?”
August laughed. “What? Are you crazy?”
Andrew took a deep gulp of air. “No, I’m not crazy. But I am concerned.”
“About what?”
“About Noah’s recent behavior.”
“Tell me.”
Andrew jammed his hands into his pockets and proceeded to tell August exactly what he’d laid out for his uncle Charles last weekend.
When Andrew had finished, August shook his head. “Andrew,” he said in a fatherly tone, “I don’t blame you for trying to connect the dots. And I’ll be utterly honest with you, Noah and I have spoken about a merger. But all that is off.”
“Because of the wedding?”
He smiled. “Because Noah wanted me to leave Lyndon, Lyndon & Kopp and set up a new firm with him. He’s not at all interested in your uncle’s small country practice. And that was a complete nonstarter for me.”
“But it might not be if Laurie and Brandon were married.”
August shook his head. “Maybe Noah thinks that way, but he would be wrong about that. Son, if it weren’t for your uncle Charles, I would never have met or married Sally. Charles is like the brother I never had. Now, the truth is, Charles would do just fine if I took my D.C. practice elsewhere. But I don’t think I would do as well. Having a partner who cares about providing services to regular people keeps me balanced somehow. Besides, I know Sally’s watching me from up there.” He pointed upward toward a sky spangled with stars.
“What if you could bring the mediation practice into Lyndon, Lyndon & Kopp, without jettisoning the work Uncle Charles does here in Shenandoah Falls?”
“I might be interested in that. Especially if it meant bringing you into the family firm. That would please Charles too. But I have to tell you that I’m not entirely sure I’d like working with Noah. He’s too secretive in his dealings with clients, and he’s used to a large firm. LL&K is not big. He might not like our culture. And he might not fit in.”
“Look, August, you should know that sometimes Noah seems to really want to see Laurie and Brandon back together. The other day he even told Brandon he wanted the two of them to sit down and work things out. But the thing is, I don’t think Laurie wants Brandon back, if you’ll pardon my saying so.”
August cocked his head. “You really care about Laurie, don’t you? I’ve heard some rumors about you two.”
Damn. August was a wily old fox.
“I do care about her,” Andrew said honestly. “And if she were my daughter, I’d want to…”
“Murder him?” August said this with a smile. The smile was a surprise.
“Look, I’m sorry. Brandon’s a friend but he—”
“Disappointed you. I understand, Andrew. He disappointed me too. That’s why I told Brandon he wasn’t ready to join Lyndon, Lyndon & Kopp. Would it surprise you to know that I adore Laurie and want to see her happy?”
“I guess not.”
“So here’s the thing. I’m one hundred percent confident that Noah wants to see Laurie happy too. He adores his daughter. He would do anything for her.”
Chapter Eighteen
Roxy found Laurie in the ladies’ room. “I’m so sorry about what happened,” she said. “Honestly, I didn’t think you were coming tonight, and I didn’t even think about making changes to the seating chart.”
Laurie stood in front of the mirror taking deep breaths. She was not going to cry over Andrew Lyndon. Good thing Roxy didn’t know the truth.
“It’s fine,” she said.
“No, it’s not. But I don’t know if I can do anything about it, except to say that I’m heartbroken that you’re not my sister.” There were tears in Roxy’s eyes.
They embraced, and the knot in Laurie’s throat swelled. “Damn,” she said on a hard breath. “I’m going to ruin my makeup.”
Roxy held her by the shoulders. “Even if your mascara runs, you’ll still be the most beautiful woman in the room tonight. Honestly, I almost wish my brother was here to see you. Especially with that Marine. Wow. Where did you find him?”
“He’s a member of the police force. He came around to check on me. I had stopped answering Mom’s texts, and she was sure I was lying dead in a pool of blood.”
“No, really?”
“Really.”
“Well, that just shows that you never know where you might bump into Mr. Right.”
Laurie bit her tongue. She wanted to confide in Roxy, but she didn’t dare. Her one-nighter with Andrew would remain a secret forever. No one would understand how they had ended up in bed together. And no one would ever forgive them for it.
“Can we be friends?” Roxy asked.
“Of course we can.”
Roxy pulled a tissue from the box on the counter. “Here, you need this.”
Laurie stared into the mirror and tried to fix the damage.
“You know,” Roxy said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day at the coffee shop.”
Laurie stopped dabbing at her eyes. “Oh?”
Roxy sighed and leaned against the counter. “It occurred to me as I endured the last hour listening to Lindsay Mayfield, that Pam Lyndon, as much as I love her, has no sense when it comes to matching people up. I mean, Lindsay and Andrew? Really?”
“Pam set Andrew up on that date?”
“Yeah. You didn’t think Andrew picked that girl on his own, did you?”
That was exactly what she thought.
“No. Pam knows Lindsay’s mother from the Jefferson County Historic Society, or something. I’m sure they cooked this up between them. But you know Andrew; at least Lindsay will make it home safe, right?” Roxy smiled.
“Yeah,” Laurie said. And until last Saturday she would have shared that view. But now she realized that Andrew wasn’t nearly as safe as some people thought.
“So anyway, I realized that Pam has spent an incredible amount of time reminding me that Danny and I used to squabble all the time as kids. And I’ve been listening to her.”
“And not noticing the way Daniel was looking at you tonight.”
“How was he looking at me?”
“One part lost puppy and another part hungry wolf.”
“Really?” A smile played on her lips.
“Really.”
They looked at each other through the mirror’s reflection.
“Damn,” Roxy said. “Maybe I should go after him?”
“Maybe you should.”
Roxy turned. “I’ll let you know what happens,” she said as she hurried from the restroom.
When Laurie finally emerged, the program had started. Pam Lyndon was introducing the members of the steering committee, and the lights had been dimmed a little.
She should go back to the table and find Ryan, but going back there was the last thing on her mind. So instead she skirted the back wall and slipped through one of the French doors out onto the terrace.
And ran right into Brandon’s father.
Damn.
“Hello,” she said, hoping the ground would open up and swallow her. She had nothing to say to him.
“Laurie,” he said in a kind voice, “you look beautiful this evening.”
“Thank you. I—”
He held up his hand. “I will
not impede your progress. If you’re looking for a friend, I think Andrew is over there lurking in the dark.”
She turned to look over her shoulder, and August escaped.
“Hi,” Andrew said from across the patio. “It’s a little warmer here under the heater.”
She crossed the flagstones, drawn by the heater’s purple-blue flame. “Where’s Lindsay?” she asked.
“I think she went off with Matt. And before you—”
“Roxy told me that your aunt set you up with her.”
He said nothing, but the twinkle lights strung over the patio sparkled in his dark eyes. “So, how’s Val?” she asked, and almost kicked herself. She was behaving like a jealous woman.
“Back from South Carolina. I gather things didn’t work out for her and her Marine. The big alpha-male fantasy turned into a nightmare.”
Ouch. He could give as well as take. And for the moment she didn’t want him to know how Courtney had maneuvered Ryan into this date. “Ryan isn’t an alpha dude.”
“No?”
She shook her head.
“Then what is he?”
She almost blurted out the words “emotionally not available,” but she held her tongue. “He’s a hero who served his country and continues to serve.”
Andrew let go of a very long breath. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. He’s pretty okay.”
Silence welled up between them before she turned toward him and said, “Yeah he is, but he’s not you.”
Andrew blinked, and Laurie walked right up to him and pulled his head down into a kiss. Oh yes. This. This was what she wanted. And she had this terrible feeling that her want was specific. It couldn’t be satisfied by anyone else.
Andrew’s hand slid down her back, and he pulled her hard against him as the kiss deepened. She wrapped her arms around his neck, reveling in his hard male body. She couldn’t get close enough; she couldn’t breathe; her whole body ached for him.
And just when she was about to suggest that they run off together for a long weekend of sex, a familiar voice called Andrew’s name.
Andrew pushed her away just as Brandon came around the corner of the carriage house. He wasn’t wearing a tuxedo, and by his uneven gait, he appeared to be drunk.
“Hey, Andrew, are you out here? Dad said—whoa. Laurie? Great dress, babe.”
“You’re drunk,” Laurie said, stating the obvious.
“Yeah, I guess. I had a few at the Jay Bird before the party. And then I kind of forgot about the party. You know.” He stumbled sideways. “Jeeze, you look terrific.”
Just then Ryan came through the French doors. “Thank God,” he said, coming up to Laurie’s side in full-out hero mode. “I was worried about you. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Whoa, nice suit, dude,” Brandon said.
“It’s a uniform,” Ryan said.
“Whatever.” Brandon frowned. “Hey, wait a sec, is he your date?”
Laurie didn’t have a chance to answer this because Ryan drew all six feet three inches of himself up and said, “Yes. And I came to find her because the dancing is starting. Let’s go, Laurie. There isn’t anyone out here you want to talk to.”
And with that, Ryan swept her back into the ballroom, where it was impossible to escape.
Half an hour later, after making a statement on the dance floor, Ryan said he needed a restroom break. Laurie returned to her assigned table, where she found Roxy and Daniel looking deeply into each other’s eyes.
“Hey,” she said, interrupting, “have you seen Andrew?”
Roxy rolled her eyes. “He’s gone. My idiot brother showed up three sheets to the wind and made a scene at Dad’s table. Andrew offered to drive him back to D.C.” Roxy lowered her voice. “If you ask me, Andrew was looking for an excuse to run away from Lindsay, although she seems to be having a great time with Matt. So… whatever. Where’s Ryan?”
“He’s taking a break.”
Roxy grinned. “He’s a great guy, Laurie. Way to go, girl.”
Yeah, way to go.
Courtney had been too busy most of the evening to pay much attention to anything but making sure the bar was stocked, the food got served, and the PA system worked. So it was late in the evening when she finally took a break and stepped out onto the terrace for a breath of fresh air.
It was cold, and all but one of the propane heaters had run out of gas. Since the party was all but over, she didn’t use her walkie-talkie to communicate with the facilities staff to get more propane canisters brought up. It was dark out there, since the timer automatically shut off the twinkle lights at midnight.
She took a couple of steps in the direction of the one working heater and then halted. A couple stood in the circle of its warmth, locked in a kiss that was definitely X-rated. Damn, these people needed to leave the party and get a room so she could go home and soak her tired feet.
She was about to say something when the woman giggled and then guffawed. But the kiss went on. Man, she had one goofy-sounding laugh, but at least she seemed to be having a good time, which was more than Courtney could say about her life.
She’d been busy all night, but not too busy to notice Laurie and Ryan dancing the night away. They’d looked fabulous together, like a royal couple or something. And Laurie seemed to be enjoying herself.
The whole thing left a sour note.
Courtney hated this grumpy feeling in the middle of her chest. It seemed so petty.
Laurie deserved to have a fun time. And who knew Ryan was capable of dancing that well? Courtney should pat herself on the back instead of feeling grumpy. Laurie and Ryan looked like they were made for each other, and Courtney had certainly goaded Ryan into coming tonight, so she could take credit for what had happened.
She tried feeling happy about it, and she failed.
Just then the guy under the propane heater came up for air and said, “So, why don’t we take this to your place?”
What the…? Courtney recognized that velvet voice. Matt Lyndon. Damn. Just what she needed.
“No, we can’t,” the woman said. “I mean, I’m staying at my folks’ place over the weekend.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, Andrew was supposed to drop me there. We could go to your place.”
“No, that won’t work.”
“Why?”
There was a long pause. “I’m staying at my dad’s house.”
It was comical, really. They sounded like teenagers. And now that Courtney thought about it, Matt was way closer to his teen years than she was. But still.
She crossed her arms over her chest and assumed a bad-ass position. “It’s time to go home, children,” she said.
They turned toward her. The light spilling through the French doors must have been enough for Matt to recognize Courtney. “Well, well, it’s the ice queen, isn’t it?” he said.
She probably deserved that, but she wasn’t letting him get away with it. “Ice queen, really?”
“You know this woman?” the girl asked.
“Yeah. She’s the party planner.”
“Oh, really? It was a great party. I especially loved the floral arrangements.”
“Thanks. I didn’t do the flowers.” Amy did the flowers because she rocked when it came to all things botanical. Courtney was just good at making lists.
“Oh.” The woman’s voice sounded confused.
“Time to go,” Courtney said.
“Oh. I wonder where Andrew is?” the girl said in a querulous voice.
“Andrew Lyndon?” Courtney asked.
“Yeah, he was my date.”
Courtney refrained from asking the girl why she was kissing Matt. “Uh, honey, Andrew left hours ago.”
“Oh. Well, I guess that’s okay. I kind of ignored him after dinner.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet.”
“No worries,” Matt said. “I’ll drive you home.”
“You will?”
Honestly, this girl had like half the brain
s a normal woman should. Which was kind of sad because she was going to get played.
“Honey, where do you live?” Courtney asked.
“Oh, my parents live ten minutes away. I’m fine.”
Courtney took a few steps in the girl’s direction. “What’s your name, honey?”
“Lindsay.”
“Okay, Lindsay, here’s the deal. I know the guy you’ve been kissing is a Lyndon, and they are all kind of good looking, but trust me, they all have serious personality flaws. Matt here is a consummate player.”
“A player?”
What planet did this girl come from? “Yeah, he seduces unsuspecting women like you. Since Andrew, who is too selfless to be true, left you in Matt’s clutches, it seems to me that your best option is to let me drive you home.”
“Don’t I get to say something?” Matt asked.
“No, you don’t. I’m not letting you talk this girl into a one-nighter at some no-tell motel. Or worse yet, a quickie in the backseat of your car.”
“I don’t do quickies,” he said in a voice that did something wicked and unwanted to Courtney’s insides. “I like to take my time.”
“That sounds like fun,” Lindsay said.
“See? She doesn’t need your help,” Matt said.
And Lindsay, fool that she was, piped up and said, “You know, there’s a motel about ten miles from here, not far from Winchester.”
“I know that place,” Matt said. “Why don’t we check it out?”
Lindsay giggled, and Matt looked in Courtney’s direction with that infernal Lyndon eyebrow arched just so.
She turned her back on him and stalked into the ballroom. Damn Matt Lyndon and every guy like him.
Chapter Nineteen
On Sunday evening, Laurie sat at her desk in her small campus office with the paperwork for the Walter Jephson Foundation grant spread out before her. She’d read and reread the foundation’s mission statement and its guidelines for grant submissions.
Her research project on party identification fit the foundation’s research guidelines to a T, and since the topic was relevant and had practical polling applications, she felt confident she could win the grant. But if she proceeded on her own, Michael would make her life miserable.