Second-Chance Seduction(45)

                She tried to block Jake from her line of sight as she attempted to continue the casual conversation with Ian, but it was impossible. She realized she could no longer stomach this level of judgmental scrutiny. Even Ian, who was at least willing to talk to her, was emitting the same reproachful vibes as Jake.

                She reached out and touched Connor’s arm to get his attention. “I—I’ve just remembered something I have to do upstairs. You can text me when you’re finished down here and tell me where you want to meet.”

                “Wait,” he said. “I’ll only be a—”

                But she couldn’t wait. She had to go. She turned and walked away as fast as she could move, leaving the MacLaren brothers and their silent but palpable condemnation behind.





                                      Six

                Baffled, Connor watched Maggie dash off the convention floor. The urge to follow her was strong, but first he turned on Jake. “What just happened here?”

                Jake shrugged. “Guess she didn’t want to hang around.”

                “Don’t pull that crap with me. You were freaking her out with your, whatever you call it, evil eye thing. And I don’t appreciate it.”

                “You’re awfully defensive,” Jake said, standing his ground. “I thought you were never going to speak to her again. What changed your mind?”

                “I grew up.” Fuming, Connor glanced down the hallway. “That was over ten years ago, for God’s sake. Let it go. And besides, you’re the one who told me to bring a date this week.”

                “I was hoping you might bring someone who everyone could get along with.”

                “You could’ve asked me, Connor,” Lucinda said.

                Connor ignored her and frowned in frustration at his brother. “I thought you always liked Maggie.”

                “Well, sure, I liked her, until she screwed you over so badly that you could barely drag your ass out of bed for, like, a year.”

                “That’s not true.”

                “Truer than you’d like to believe. Maybe that time was fun for you, but it wasn’t for me. Or Ian, or Mom. Maggie ripped your heart out, man. We didn’t think you’d ever recover. And I don’t want to see it happen again.”

                Even if Jake’s recollection was skewed, Connor could at least try to be grateful for his concern.

                He suddenly realized that Lucinda was listening avidly to things he’d rather not share with anyone outside his family. With a tight smile, he said, “Hey, Lucinda, I thought Jake gave you the day off. Why don’t you go catch up with your friends and have some fun?”

                “That’s okay, Connor,” she said cheerfully. “I don’t mind staying if you guys need some help.”

                “No, Connor’s right, Luce,” Jake said. “Thanks for taking those notes for us, but that’s all we needed. You should go have some fun while you have the chance.”

                Lucinda smiled. “Okay, I’m off, then. See you guys around.”

                Connor watched her walk away, then turned back to Jake. “Look, I appreciate what you’re saying, I really do, but there’s no way Maggie will get to me like she did before. And I’m definitely not back together with her, if that’s why you’re so bent out of shape. This is just business.”