Burn So Bright (Jupiter Point #2)(3)

"I think they're a little past balloon animals," Brianna said dubiously.

Suzanne tugged her lower lip between her teeth. Okay, so that one detail hadn't gone so well. "Oopsies. You know, I wouldn't mind a balloon animal. A sad panda or something." She craned her neck, looking for another waiter with more champagne.

Evie and Brianna both laughed. "You're adorable, do you know that?" Brianna pinched her cheek, which seemed ironic considering that she was about a foot shorter than Suzanne. "Do you want me to get something going for them? Charades is always fun."

Suzanne shrugged and tipped the flute to her mouth. She couldn't drum up any enthusiasm for this party anymore. Logan had promised to be here to lend support. Instead he was in Palo Alto, probably taking full advantage of his free pass.

Details. Details were important. What did the details say about Logan?

No. It didn't matter. She and Logan would work it out. They had to.

She beckoned to Seth, one of the waiters, who hurried over to them with another tray of drinks. She took one and downed about half of it before even realizing it.

"How's the champagne supply holding up?" Suzanne hiccupped. "Asking for a friend."

Evie and Brianna exchanged glances of alarm. So silly. She could handle a little champagne. It took the edge off, that was all.

"We're in good shape, boss." Seth gave her a conspiratorial wink. "Enjoy yourself, you've earned it. The party came out great."

She smiled at him, the fizzy effect of the champagne making it an extra-wide grin. "Dyn-o-mite."

She giggled and swallowed more delicious fizziness. Had she really just said "dyn-o-mite"? God, champagne was the best thing ever invented. Logan didn't know what he was missing. He could be at her side, watching the sun glide toward the Pacific, listening to the happy chatter of party guests, admiring the perfection of her meticulous planning.

"Oh wait!" Brianna said suddenly. "The kids don't need me. They have hotshots."

Suzanne jerked back to attention. Sure enough, three of the new Jupiter Point Hotshots-Sean Marcus, Josh Marshall, and Rollo Wareham-were pushing aside the balloons and striding into the kids' area. In jeans and flannel shirts, they looked like wild men compared to the rest of the guests. Rugged good looks didn't begin to describe it. Their physical fitness level was insane. They all looked like they could have run up the mountain to the observatory without breaking a sweat. For all she knew, they had.

"Oops, I forgot to tell them this was a formal party," Evie whispered. "Sorry, Suzanne." She raised the camera and took a few more shots. "Make that sorry not sorry. Good Lord, they're photogenic. Every last one of them."

Suzanne heaved a sigh, pretending to be annoyed. Better to look annoyed than fascinated, which was her usual response to the sight of Josh Marshall. Had he even combed his hair? Did he ever comb his hair? It always tumbled around his face as if he'd spent the day at the ocean. Or just gotten out of bed. Which, given the amount of flirting he did, was pretty likely. And did he always have to have that teasing sparkle in his eyes and that "I love trouble" grin?



       
         
       
        

Would he ever bother to grow up?

"It's okay. I'll handle it." She took a fortifying sip of champagne, then beelined toward the hotshots, ignoring Evie's and Brianna's attempts to stop her. This was her event, damn it, and Josh Marshall had no business cruising in here as if it was some kind of block party.

She ducked past the balloons at the edge of the play area. One of them swung back and bumped her in the nose. She brushed it aside and blinked her eyes back into focus. Josh-of course it would be Josh-had caught the entire embarrassing moment. A wide grin took over his face. That smile would make the panties melt off any girl, Suzanne most definitely included.

Except she refused to fall for that carefree vibe of his. It was so not her thing, at least not anymore. Carefree was for kids.

"What are you guys doing back here?" she asked as she reached them.

"Checking out this rockin' party you have going on." Josh tucked his thumbs in his front pockets and cocked his head at her. "I'm all for outdoor education." And he winked.

Winked.

As if outdoor education was something naughty. And of course now all sorts of images were hightailing it through her brain. Josh at the beach, in nothing but board shorts. Josh jogging shirtless up a mountain trail. Josh chopping wood, muscles flexing as he wielded the axe-and guess what? No shirt.

She shook her head to clear it of all those unwelcome Josh Marshall images.