Ezra’s eyesnarrowed on me, then dropped to the empty champagne flute in my hands. “Dillonis always discussing politics,” he confirmed. “When I’m not around that is.”
She gave him aninnocent smile. “That’s because you’re such a know-it-all. I prefer people withopen minds.”
“And you think thatMolly is one of those people?”
“Hey!” I protested.
He reached forwardand grabbed the glass from my hands, dropping it on a tray as a waiter walkedby us. The move was so smooth and effortless my mouth unhinged and I bristled.I could have done that myself!
Or okay, I probablywouldn’t have noticed that waiter. He was moving too fast and he kind ofblended in with everyone around him. But I would have caught the next one.
“Mollyisone of those people,” Dilloninsisted. “And she agrees with me about Meg’s design taste. You have to stopusing her.”
Ezra’s shoulderslifted and dropped with an impatient sigh. “Don’t be petty,” he warned. “Shedid a fantastic job. Besides, this was very last minute. I didn’t give her muchtime.”
Dillon rolled hereyes. “Time has nothing to do with it. She’s over the top. I told you that lasttime. I don’t know why you don’t listen to me.”
Feeling out ofplace while the siblings bickered over flowers I took a small step to the side.“I’ll just… I’m going over... somewhere else.” I pointed across the room.
Ezra’s hand fell tomy forearm, stilling me. “I’ll find you in a minute.”
“Why?” The questionpopped out of my mouth before I could think better of it.
His dark eyesturned to me and he gave me his full, undivided attention. I sucked in a sharpbreath at the intensity in his look, the utter power barely restrained beneathhis cool expression. He was all sleek lines tonight in a white dress shirt,tailored gray trousers and thin black tie. His hand on my arm was hot andfirm,freezing me in place like it had magical powers.
“I’d like to talkto you,” he explained.
I struggled toswallow through the new lump in my throat. “About what?”
He lifted his handfrom my arm and I scooted another step away from him. “I’ll find you,” hepromised. Then he turned back to Dillon and I instantly felt dismissed.
Noting the exitlocations I contemplated escaping, but in the end, I settled for dropping byone of the food stations. I hadn’t eaten anything yet and the alcohol wasclearly catching up to me. Wyatt had done a spectacular job with the spread andI decided I should tell him that.
Chicken and waffleslider in one hand and a refilled champagne cocktail in the other, I made myway to the kitchen. I briefly remembered Ezra’s warning about setting foot in therethe other night, but just as quickly dismissed it. He wasn’t technically openfor business and so I wasn’t technically breaking his rules.
I found Wyatt inthe center of his kitchen, king of his newly claimed kingdom, leaning over atray of appetizers. He was all focus and serious vibes, meticulously inspectingthem for any faults. Without lifting his head he yelled at someone behind himabout double checking temperatures. His hands never wavered from where heworked to perfectly drizzle sauce on top of a skewered meatball.
“Wyatt, please justacknowledge that everyone is drunk by now!” a woman yelled from by the coolers.“This isn’t fuckingTop Chef!”
Wyatt spread hishands wide on the stainless steel table, gripping the edges in an effort tokeep his cool. He dropped his head and roared, “Goddamnit,Kaya, if the mousse isn’t perfect I’m going to fucking fire you!”
I watched Kaya grinat his back, pleased that she’d gotten to him. “I’m here on a volunteer basistonight, asshole! You can’t fire me for helping you out.” The rest of his cooksducked their heads and focused intently on staying out of his way.
“And I thoughtKillian was scary,” I said loud enough to catch Wyatt’s attention.
His head snapped upand I had the pleasure of watching his cheeks turn red. “Killian hadmefor a sous chef,” he growled,throwing a murderous glance to the back of his kitchen. “And I didn’t run mymouth constantly.”
Kaya dropped a trayof chocolate mousse cups next to Wyatt. “That’s because you were too busy usingit to kiss his ass.” She walked away making smooching noises.
Wyatt glared at thedesserts. “So help me God, if these aren’t perfectly fucking executed.”
“I should put acuss jar back here,” I told him. “I’d be rich.”
“You’re trying topush me over the edge, aren’t you?” Wyatt snarled at me. “You’ve joined forceswith Satan’s mistress and the two of you are in cahoots to give me ananeurism.”
“Who’s Satan’smistress?”
Kaya raised herhand. “That would be me. It’s our esteemed chef’s affectionate pet name for me.Along with Madam Satan, She Devil, the Antichrist’s Baby Mama,and Mrs. Bin Laden.”
