Straight From the Hip(70)
Garth stood. “I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. I don’t need to work for you to control Titan World.”
Jed came to his feet. “You won’t win, boy. I’ll crush you.”
“You’ll try. There’s a difference. But in the end, I’ll have it all.”
“Then I’ll see you in hell.”
Garth shrugged. “You first.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
IZZY SAT IN THE SUN, taking in the chaos around her. She could smell the meat on the barbecue and the sweet scent of lemonade, hear the multiple conversations, the clink of ice in glasses and hum of insects. It was a perfect September Saturday and most everyone she cared about in the world was around her.
Lexi was there with Cruz and his daughter, Kendra. Skye had brought Mitch and Erin. Rita and her husband had come, as had Norma, whose “date” was an Australian Shepherd who kept trying to herd everyone into a central spot. Aaron had brought his boyfriend, Steve. Izzy felt the love and support all around her but the one person she was most interested in hadn’t come out of the house yet.She was annoyed both by his tardiness and by her desire to have him next to her. Being totally blind was hard and having Nick nearby made it easier.
Familiarity, she told herself. It had nothing to do with how she felt. It couldn’t. Talk about a disaster.
“How are you doing?” Dana asked as she came and sat next to Izzy.
“Okay. Still blind.”
“I can see that. The bandages are a nice reminder.”
“You like them? I think they’re going to be on all the spring runways.”
“Like I’d know what that means,” Dana grumbled.
“It’s a fashion thing.”
“I don’t do fashion.”
Izzy grinned. “Or the whole mani-pedi experience. Do you even own mascara?”
“I did. Once. Maybe.”
Dana was a wonderful friend and a lot of fun, but she was the opposite of girly.
“It’s probably best you didn’t go into retail,” Izzy teased.
“You think?” Dana sighed. “Everyone here has someone but me. Even Norma brought a dog.”
“Do you want a dog?”
“No. I’m just saying.”
“You want a guy.”
“Maybe.” Dana sounded almost angry. “Let’s change the subject.”
“Why? You could date.”
“Thanks. I was waiting for your permission.”
Izzy laughed. “At least now you have it. Look. You’re great and pretty and sexy and guys love that. But you’ve always picked safe, boring men who don’t challenge you. Then you dump them because they’re safe and boring. You need to try a different type.”
Dana didn’t say anything. Izzy suspected it was because her friend was afraid to try a different type. She didn’t want the challenge. Izzy suspected there were secrets in Dana’s past she’d never talked about and it would be impossible to—
The skin on the back of her neck prickled. She couldn’t say why—she hadn’t heard anything. But the sensation wouldn’t go away. Seconds later, a strong, warm hand settled on her shoulder.
“How are you holding up?” Nick asked.
“Good. This is nice. Thanks for having everyone over.” She felt oddly nervous to be around Nick and most of her family. As if she were afraid they would figure something out.
This was all Rita’s fault, Izzy thought grimly. If Rita hadn’t made that stupid comment about marrying Nick, she would feel completely normal. But noooo.
Just as awkward was the conversation she’d had at her doctor’s office the previous day. She’d been in for a bandage change. One done in a nearly totally dark room with her eyes closed, so she still didn’t know if she could see or not. But Dr. Greenspoon had lifted her physical restrictions. Meaning she could now go riding. Or, more important, make love with Nick.
Only she hadn’t told him. Her! A woman used to taking whatever she wanted. A woman who gave as good as she got in bed, as well as everywhere else in life. She’d felt awkward and shy. Almost confused. And she hadn’t said a word.
“Sorry I’m late,” Nick said. “I was talking to a social worker about a couple of kids.”
“You didn’t miss much,” Dana told him. “Skye’s daughter, Erin, and your friend Aaron can’t get over the fact that they have the same name, only it’s spelled differently. The joke is hilarious to them, but getting old for the rest of us.”
Izzy laughed. “You’ll have to forgive Dana. She’s a little cynical.”
“Sounds like your kind of people,” Nick said.
“She is.”