Dream Wedding(149)

Ryan grimaced as he remembered how he’d even taken the time to assure the younger man that there was nothing between Cassie and himself. Despite the fact that he wanted her to the exclusion of all other women.

“You were Christmas shopping? By yourself? In November?” Cassie asked the questions in a tone of disbelief usually reserved for questioning murder suspects.

“I can if I want to,” he said, then practically sighed in relief when the doorbell rang. “I’ll get that.”

He made it halfway down the hall, paused, and returned to the kitchen. “Maybe you should get it.”

Cassie stared at him. “What on earth is wrong with you?”

“Nothing.”

The doorbell rang again.

“One of us had better get it,” she muttered and headed out of the kitchen.

Ryan trailed after her. He didn’t want to intrude on their greeting, but he also wanted to witness the event. If things looked like they were heating up instantly, he would hide out in his office and quietly drink himself into oblivion.

Cassie pulled open the door. “Hi, Joel.”

“Cassie!” He swept her into a big bear hug.

Ryan had to resist the urge to jerk her out of the other man’s embrace, all the while reminding himself that this had been his idea. Still, he hadn’t thought it would hurt so much to watch her in Joel’s arms. He turned away.

“Wow, you’re so different,” Cassie said. “What happened?”

Joel laughed. “Do you like it?”

Ryan glanced back and saw Cassie staring at Joel as if she’d never seen him before. “You’re in contacts,” she said and touched his face. “Your hair is styled and you’re wearing new clothes.”

“It’s the new me.”

A new look? Great, Ryan thought, trying to muster a little enthusiasm. Obviously Joel was trying to make a good impression. It seemed like everything was going to work out fine. He was thrilled. Really.

He cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Joel, thanks for joining us for dinner. Come on in.”

There was the usual flurry and confusion of getting settled and taking drink orders. Cassie excused herself to check on Sasha, who had been put in bed a half hour before.

While she was gone, Ryan searched for something to say to Joel. “How’s business?”

“Great. I’ve been talking to some people and they think I’ve got a real chance at making it to president of Bradley Discount.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice to a confidential whisper. “I’ve been thinking about making a switch. There are a lot more opportunities with the big chains. I might give that a try. It would mean moving, of course, but that’s not a problem anymore. Cassie never wanted to leave Bradley, but I think I would like to see the world. Maybe even move to the Bay area.”

Ryan stared at the younger man. He did look different. The new hairstyle swept back from his face, giving him a “young executive” look. His clothes were expensive, as was his obviously new watch. Something had happened to Joel in the couple of weeks he’d been single. Something Ryan didn’t like at all.

He was torn between defending Cassie’s desire to stay close to home and pointing out that a move to the Bay area was hardly seeing the world. Before he could decide, Cassie returned and took her seat on the sofa.

Unfortunately, when they first came into the living room, Joel had taken one of the wing chairs, leaving Ryan and Cassie the sofa. Still, Joel was across from her and eye contact was very powerful. At least it was when Cassie looked at him.

She took a sip of her white wine. “I can’t get over the changes. You look terrific, Joel.”

“Thanks.” He half raised his hand, then put it back in his lap. “I’ve worn glasses for so long that it’s difficult to get used to being without them, but I like the contacts.” He cleared his throat. “So how are you doing?”

“I’m fine.”

She gave him one of her best smiles, the one that always made Ryan want to rush her into his bed. Joel didn’t seem affected. The ungrateful twit.

“I’ve been keeping busy with Sasha. She’s a handful, but such a sweet girl.”

Cassie continued talking about her job, and then filled Joel in on news about her family. The other man pretended to listen, but Ryan could tell his attention was elsewhere. Then it hit him. Joel had asked about Cassie’s life to be polite, but he wasn’t interested in the answer. What he wanted instead was to talk about his life.

Ryan took a hefty swallow of beer and wished he’d chosen something stronger, like Scotch. He had a bad feeling about what was about to happen. He opened his mouth, but couldn’t think of anything to say. It was like watching two trains on the same track. They were going to collide and all he could do was helplessly stand by.