“Thank god for that.” She shakes her head as we reach the bar. “Now, for the most important question of all…”
I raise my brows.
“Red or white?”
I laugh. “Red.”
“Me too,” she says, grinning as she gives a waiting bartender our order. Mere seconds later, he slides two heavy crystal goblets across the marble countertop. Phoebe passes one to me, clicks her glass against mine, and takes a hearty sip.
As my fingers curl around the glass, I dart a glance at Chase. He’s still talking to Brett and whatever they’re discussing isnotmaking him happy. In fact, his expression has grown so dark, I worry his head is about to explode.
I take a sip of my wine and turn back to Phoebe. I’m mid-swallow when she makes a startling announcement.
“I’ve decided we’re going to be friends.” Her eyes twinkle with humor. “Because I’ve been to enough of these functions to know, you can’t get through them alone.”
Friends?
I can’t speak — mostly because I’m struggling not to spit my mouthful of wine all over her as her words rattle around my skull.
It doesn’t seem to bother her that I don’t respond; she just grins wider and leans closer, her voice dropping low. “I never would’ve come, if Brett hadn’t invited me. I didn’t think he knew Iexisted, until he called earlier. I mean, our mothers ran in the same society circles, and we’ve crossed paths a few times at functions like this, but he’s never even looked my way — until today. I don’t know what changed, but I wasn’t about to say no — these Croft boys are hot. Mega hot. Burn your freakingtonguehot.”
God, she even sounds like me when she talks.
I swallow hard. “Tell me about it.”
“So, you and Chase are—”
I never get to hear the rest of her question because suddenly, the boys are back. There’s a careful distance between them, when they appear at our sides, and neither of them looks particularly happy. But considering no one is on the floor bleeding, I’m thinking that’s pretty much par for the course, with them.
Chase squeezes my hand and I turn to look at him, instantly troubled by the darkness in his eyes.
“Dinner’s about to start. Let’s go find our table, sunshine.”
I tighten my fingers, squeezing to let him know I’ve heard him.
“Great! I’m starved.” Brett smiles that oily smile of his. Unfortunately, it does very little to diminish his attractiveness. “It seems there was a mix up with the tables – Phoebe and I were originally seated in the back, instead of with the rest of the family.”
“How odd,” Chase says flatly.
Brett’s grin never wavers. “As luck would have it, I spoke to the wait-staff and they were able to move around some seats, so we could all sit together on the stage. One big, happy family, right, ‘cuz?”
Chase’s jaw clenches tight. “Perfect.”
Brett’s eyes move to mine and I tense at the look in them.
“Gemma, did I mention? I had the pleasure of meeting a close friend of yours today.Ralph. Great guy — and he told me the most interesting stories about you! I’m sure my date would be fascinated to hear them, don’t you agree?”
“If we’re trading stories, I’m sure there are plenty Chase could tell the table about you.” Fake smile fixed to my lips, I turn to the man by my side, who’s barely keeping his anger in check. “Let’s go find our table, love.”
Chase nods, slips his arm around my waist, and starts to lead me away. I glance back at Phoebe, who’s still smiling happily, having totally missed the strained words I’ve just traded with her date, and wave goodbye. She seems so young, standing there next to Brett, and far too sweet for him. But as much as I’d like to grab her by the arm and screamrun for the hills, while you still can!I don’t. I can’t. Not without revealingwhy.
And, as nice as she is, that is seriously not an option.
I push thoughts of her away and turn my attention to Chase.
“You okay?”
He nods. “You?”