don’t want my dates to be underdressed.”
Chapter Ten
The day had been eventful, what with so many tourists and reunion visitors in town. The gala tonight, after the parades and dinner, was what they’d all been waiting for; a chance to get everyone together in one location and watch how they interacted.
Bryan was used to hanging with the country club set from his past, but Hunter had to learn if he wanted to work in high end real estate, he’d have to mingle with high end clients. As an attorney, Bryan had the contacts, but whether he liked the idea or not, he and Hunter worked their business together. The country clubs and elite parties Hunter had attended in the past were no more or less exclusive than this one. Both men fit right in with the Cauldwell Country Club set.
Hunter hung back with a drink in his hand and admired the way Lacey mingled and managed a smile for everyone, including the three women with Tory Cauldwell. The brunette seemed especially put out by her. She must be the one who had her mind set on snagging Bryan. She gave Lacey a limp wrist when they greeted. As an afterthought, she added an air kiss on both cheeks, but Hunter suspected it was only because Bryan was standing beside her.
Hunter couldn’t resist asking Lacey to dance, and he enjoyed watching the women’s heads spin on their necks like they were on a swivel. Their attention shot between Tory, Bryan, and himself, drawing instant conclusions. There was no question he and Bryan looked too much alike for anyone to ignore the similarities. Rumors would run rampant, and Hunter couldn’t wait for the reaction from Tory’s old man.
Lacey politely excused herself and took his hand. “I’d love to dance, thank you,” she said. She didn’t introduce him and neither did Bryan. Ignoring the group’s unexpressed questions regarding his identity, Lacey smiled graciously as they turned away.
He pulled her against him and whispered in her ear, “Well, that went over like a fart in church. Everyone smelled it but everyone’s ignoring it.”
She giggled against his chest when he pulled her into his arms and two stepped to the music. “Jeanette is grinding her teeth with curiosity and Carol Anne is spittin’ jealous. Thanks for saving me.”
“From what?”
“Carol Anne always wanted a Cauldwell and had to settle for Tory. Jeanette wanted Bryan. Now she can’t believe there are two of you. You know, two men as hunky as Bryan, and I showed up with both of you.”
“Who’s the other woman with them?”
“That’s my friend, Donna,” she said.
“What’s a friend of yours doing hanging out with them?” Hunter kept his disapproval to himself. It didn’t seem to bother Lacey that her friend was associating with the so-called enemy.
“Donna was born into the country club set, but that never kept her from being a friend. She was a couple of grades ahead of me in school and always marched to a different beat than the rest of those snooty girls.” Lacey leaned in and whispered, “We hit it off and grew closer over the last few years. Now she’s mingling, doing some reconnaissance for me.”
Hunter glanced over to where Carol Anne had abandoned Tory and slipped her arm into Bryan’s. She and Jeanette were circling Bryan like vultures that hadn’t seen roadkill in a month.
Lacey put her head down and let out a low, unladylike sound, tensing all over.
“You have to put up with them much?” Hunter asked.
“All my life,” she said. “You get used to it and then you get over it.”
“With all you’ve been through, you have a great attitude, Lacey.”
“Not always, where they’re concerned. I see it this way: they’re still wannabes, and I have my horse riding business, my teaching position, and good friends. When I look at their lives…well, it’s sad. But if they don’t take their hands off Bryan, their lives are going to get even sadder.”
Just before Hunter thought there was going to be a cat
Chapter Ten
The day had been eventful, what with so many tourists and reunion visitors in town. The gala tonight, after the parades and dinner, was what they’d all been waiting for; a chance to get everyone together in one location and watch how they interacted.
Bryan was used to hanging with the country club set from his past, but Hunter had to learn if he wanted to work in high end real estate, he’d have to mingle with high end clients. As an attorney, Bryan had the contacts, but whether he liked the idea or not, he and Hunter worked their business together. The country clubs and elite parties Hunter had attended in the past were no more or less exclusive than this one. Both men fit right in with the Cauldwell Country Club set.
Hunter hung back with a drink in his hand and admired the way Lacey mingled and managed a smile for everyone, including the three women with Tory Cauldwell. The brunette seemed especially put out by her. She must be the one who had her mind set on snagging Bryan. She gave Lacey a limp wrist when they greeted. As an afterthought, she added an air kiss on both cheeks, but Hunter suspected it was only because Bryan was standing beside her.
Hunter couldn’t resist asking Lacey to dance, and he enjoyed watching the women’s heads spin on their necks like they were on a swivel. Their attention shot between Tory, Bryan, and himself, drawing instant conclusions. There was no question he and Bryan looked too much alike for anyone to ignore the similarities. Rumors would run rampant, and Hunter couldn’t wait for the reaction from Tory’s old man.
Lacey politely excused herself and took his hand. “I’d love to dance, thank you,” she said. She didn’t introduce him and neither did Bryan. Ignoring the group’s unexpressed questions regarding his identity, Lacey smiled graciously as they turned away.
He pulled her against him and whispered in her ear, “Well, that went over like a fart in church. Everyone smelled it but everyone’s ignoring it.”
She giggled against his chest when he pulled her into his arms and two stepped to the music. “Jeanette is grinding her teeth with curiosity and Carol Anne is spittin’ jealous. Thanks for saving me.”
“From what?”
“Carol Anne always wanted a Cauldwell and had to settle for Tory. Jeanette wanted Bryan. Now she can’t believe there are two of you. You know, two men as hunky as Bryan, and I showed up with both of you.”
“Who’s the other woman with them?”
“That’s my friend, Donna,” she said.
“What’s a friend of yours doing hanging out with them?” Hunter kept his disapproval to himself. It didn’t seem to bother Lacey that her friend was associating with the so-called enemy.
“Donna was born into the country club set, but that never kept her from being a friend. She was a couple of grades ahead of me in school and always marched to a different beat than the rest of those snooty girls.” Lacey leaned in and whispered, “We hit it off and grew closer over the last few years. Now she’s mingling, doing some reconnaissance for me.”
Hunter glanced over to where Carol Anne had abandoned Tory and slipped her arm into Bryan’s. She and Jeanette were circling Bryan like vultures that hadn’t seen roadkill in a month.
Lacey put her head down and let out a low, unladylike sound, tensing all over.
“You have to put up with them much?” Hunter asked.
“All my life,” she said. “You get used to it and then you get over it.”
“With all you’ve been through, you have a great attitude, Lacey.”
“Not always, where they’re concerned. I see it this way: they’re still wannabes, and I have my horse riding business, my teaching position, and good friends. When I look at their lives…well, it’s sad. But if they don’t take their hands off Bryan, their lives are going to get even sadder.”
Just before Hunter thought there was going to be a cat
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