Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet #2)(8)

It wasn't easy to tell a man you had no intention of sleeping with him. Feelings and egos were at stake. But she'd done it. The problem, as she saw it, was he didn't really believe her.

Maybe she'd find someone to introduce him to at the party.

She stepped inside, into the music, the voices, the lights-and felt an immediate lift of mood. She really did like parties.

After one quick scan, she saw a dozen people she knew.

She kissed cheeks, exchanged hugs, and kept moving in a search for her host and hostess. When she spotted a distant cousin by marriage she shot out a wave. Addison, she mused, and signaled that she'd be back around to say hi. Single, fun loving, stunning. Yes, she could see Addison and Sam hitting it off.

She'd make sure she introduced them.

She found Vicki in the kitchen area of the generous great room, talking to friends while she refreshed a tray of party food. 

"Emma! I didn't think you were going to make it."

"It's going to be practically a hit-and-run. You look great."

"So do you. Oh, thank you!" She took the bouquet of candy-striped tulips Emma offered. "They're beautiful."

"I'm in a 'Damn it, it's spring' frame of mind. These said I'm right. Can I give you a hand?"

"Absolutely not. Let me get you a glass of wine."

"Half a glass. I'm driving, and I really can't stay very long."

"Half a glass of cab." Vicki laid the flowers on the counter to free her hands. "Did you come alone?"

"Actually, I'm sort of meeting Sam."

"Oh," Vicki said, drawing out the syllable.

"Not really, no."

"Oh."

"Listen. Here, let me do that," she said when Vicki got out a vase for the flowers. Lowering her voice, Emma continued as she dealt with the flowers. "What do you think about Addison and Sam?"

"Are they an item? I didn't realize-"

"No. I was just speculating. I think they'd like each other."

"Sure. I suppose. You look so good together. You and Sam."

Emma made a noncommittal sound. "Where's Adam? I didn't see him in the mob."

"Probably out on the deck having a beer with Jack."

"Jack's here?" Emma kept her hands busy and her tone casual. "I'll have to say hi."

"They were talking baseball, last I heard. You know how they are."

She knew exactly. She'd known Jack Cooke for over a decade, since he and Parker's brother, Delaney, had roomed together at Yale. And Jack had spent a lot of time at the Brown Estate. He'd ultimately moved to Greenwich and opened his small, exclusive architecture firm.

He'd been a rock, she remembered, when Parker and Del's parents had been killed in a private plane crash. And when they'd decided to start the business, he'd been a lifesaver by designing the remodels of the pool house and guest house to accommodate the needs of the company.

He was practically family.

Yes, she'd make sure to say hi before she left.

She turned with the glass of wine in her hand just as Sam made his way into the room. He was so good-looking, she thought. Tall and built, with that perpetual twinkle in his eyes. Maybe just a tiny bit studied, with his hair always perfectly styled, his clothes always exactly right, but-

"There she is. Hi, Vic." He passed Vicki a very nice bottle of cabernet-exactly the right thing-kissed her cheek, then gave Emma a warm, warm smile. "Just who I've been looking for."

He caught Emma up in an enthusiastic kiss that barely bumped the pleasant level on her scale.

She managed to ease back an inch and get her free hand on his chest in case he got it into his head to kiss her again. She smiled up at him, added a friendly laugh. "Hi, Sam."

Jack, dark blond hair tousled from the evening breeze, leather jacket open over faded jeans, walked in from the deck. His eyebrows rose at Emma; his lips curved. "Hey, Em. Don't let me interrupt."

"Jack." She nudged Sam back another inch. "You know Sam, don't you?"

"Sure. How's it going?"

"Good." Sam shifted, draped his arm over Emma's shoulders. "You?"

"Can't complain." He took a chip, shoveled it into salsa. "How are things back on the farm?" he asked Emma.

"We're busy. Spring's all about weddings."



       
         
       
        

"Spring's all about baseball. I saw your mother the other day. She remains the most beautiful woman ever created."

Emma's casual smile warmed like sunlight. "True."

"She still refuses to leave your father for me, but hope springs. Anyway, see you later. Sam."