“Did I hear my name?” Miles walks over.
Both my brothers look handsome in their tuxedos, but where Hudson is light in his personality, Miles is serious, more like Dad. But they both have Dad’s jet-black hair and the Dare indigo eyes.
“Hi!” I step up and give Miles a hug. “I was just complaining to Hudson that I haven’t heard from him lately. Same for you!”
He winces. “I’m sure my reason is the same as his. Work. But that’s no excuse.”
“It’s okay. I’m just giving you both a hard time. I’ve been crazy busy too and could have reached out.”
“I’m going to check out the auction items. Let my kids catch up.” Mom touches my shoulder. “I’ll see you at the table.”
“Bye, Mom,” Hudson and Miles say at the same time.
A waitress walks by and I accept a glass of champagne from her tray, taking a sip of the bubbly liquid.
“How’s the Thunder anniversary party planning going?” Hudson asks.
I tell him about the huge glitch but make him promise not to repeat the issue to our dad. “I’ve ordered replacement banners, and the swag for the party should be arriving soon. All the items for the museum exhibit were delivered and are being set up. I’ll be going to check those out soon.” With Lucas, though I don’t mention that to the twins. “So basically, things are almost moving along as planned,” I say.
“And nothing more from whoever threw the brick?” Miles asks, his brooding expression growing more thunderous as he asks the question.
I shake my head. Since they don’t equate the two issues, I don’t mention it, either. “So let’s talk about more interesting things!” I say, eager to change the subject.
We catch up some more before splitting up to network. This might be a fundraiser to raise money for a good cause but at the end of the day, with all the important people here, be here and be seen is the motto of the night. There are many guests here who might be impressed enough to hire our company, so I need to start chatting.
I spend twenty minutes or so stopping at various cliques I recognize and accepting the accolades for the gorgeous décor and anything else that impressed them thus far. I’m sure to mention Kaylee’s name as I circulate so she gets the well-deserved recognition.
A hand rests on my shoulder and I turn, surprised to see Lucas standing beside me. Apparently, I’ve worked my way around the entire room.
“Hello, beautiful,” he says in a low voice.
I can’t help but smile up at him. “Hi, yourself.”
I stare into his green eyes, our gazes connecting. And lingering.
“Lucas, who is this pretty girl?” a woman I recognize as his mother asks.
It’s been years since I’ve seen her, back when Jack lived home and still needed rides to see his friends and vice versa.
“Mom, this is Rainey Dare. Rainey, my mother, Jacinda Carras.”
Her eyes open wide. “Rainey, it’s been years. You’ve grown up! I didn’t recognize you. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. It’s good to see you.” I smile at the pretty woman with a blonde bob framing her made-up face. I want to hug her for taking Lucas in when he needed parents so badly, but I know that’s inappropriate. And weird. But I think it just the same.
“Actually, I’ve heard so much about you!” she says.
“You have?”
“Mom!” Lucas’s cheeks turn red on his clean-shaven face.
I think it’s adorable.
“Lucas tells me he’s helping you with the Miami Thunder anniversary and you’re doing a wonderful job.”
I meet his gaze, surprised he’s mentioned me. “Oh. Well, thank you both. I’m doing the best I can. It’s been… stressful but things happen during planning. Lucas has been a huge help.”
“Of course he has.” She looks to him, her smile wide. The pride in her expression is obvious and makes me smile.
