Audrey’s smile was practiced and poised, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Wentworth. Your house is gorgeous, and the decorations are beautiful.”
“Thank you, dear. I take pride in making sure everything is perfect around here. Blake said you work together. Are you also a doctor?”
Far from it. Had he not mentioned how they knew each other? Should she?
“No, I work in the radiology department.”
“Carli, there you are,” Annie called from the doorway as she glided their way. “I was thrilled when Blake said he was bringing you tonight.”
After hugging her, Annie looked at her mother-in-law. “Carli is the one I’ve been telling you about, the one who’s been giving us all sorts of information on helping Parker.”
Mrs. Wentworth tipped her head, her mouth pursing slightly. “The deaf girl? I wouldn’t have guessed. And you brought her here tonight, Blake?”
Was this a question? As in why did he bring her here?Thedeaf girl.Yup, had to love those labels. Didn’t matter that she wouldn’t have known if Annie hadn’t said anything. Not that she blamed Annie. She’d been such a great friend and never stopped thanking her for all her help.
“Yes, I wanted you to meet her, Mom. I’ve been getting to know her since she’s been teaching me sign language, and she’s pretty amazing.” His voice had a bit of defensiveness in it, but the smile he directed at Carli went all the way to his eyes.
“Well, I’m certainly happy to meet you, Carline. And thankful for your assistance in getting Parker fixed up and all better soon.”
All better? Did she seriously say that? Poor Annie. She looked heartbroken. “Where is Parker tonight? He’s so precious. I love seeing him.”
Annie’s smile was now as tight as Mrs. Wentworth’s first was, though nowhere near as practiced. “He’s with a sitter. This isn’t the place for a young child.”
That sounded like a direct quote taken from someone else. Her mother-in-law perhaps? Maybe she should rethink this dating Blake thing, if Audrey Wentworth was what she had to look forward to. Granted, that was getting far ahead of herself. This was their first date. There might not be a second. Marriage to him? While the thought had briefly crossed her mind, it was a long way down the road. If ever.
“You’ll have to stop by sometime soon and visit,” Annie offered. “You should see him crawling all over the place.”
“I’d love to.”
“Blake, please make sure you greet everyone here,” his mother instructed as her attention went elsewhere. “Carline, it was nice to meet you. Help yourself to some of the appetizers and drinks.”
Carli thanked her as she wandered off, being the perfect hostess. Annie followed behind, sending Carli a real smile.
A touch on her back had Carli stiffening up. Would Mama Wentworth approve?
“Did you want to meet my father now, or do you want to get some food and mingle for a bit first?” His hand ran up and down her back in a soothing motion. Well, it should have been soothing, but after meeting his mother, she wasn’t sure she wanted to meet dad. Annie often said how much pressure Harrison got from him. Would he be worse?
“Does he know who I am, or didn’t you tell him either?”
Blake pulled back and frowned. “I apologize if it seems that way. I didn’t want my parents to think the only reason I brought you today was because you’ve been teaching me sign language. For a while now, I’ve wanted to ask you out. Unfortunately, most of our free time has been used for lessons, and I wasn’t sure we could fit dating into our schedule.”
“I’m sorry. Guess I’m just a bit touchy being in a new situation. This is totally out of my element.” She pressed against his arm as she glanced around at the opulence, knowing she’d never feel comfortable in a place like this.
“Come on. Let’s get some food and find a quiet place to sit. Schmoozing with all my parents’ country club buddies isn’t my thing either. I come because there would be no dealing with my mom if I didn’t, and the food’s excellent.”
“I’m all about the food. Lead on.”
They made their way through the ornately decorated rooms and filled plates with finger foods. As they sat in a corner of the living room, Blake told her stories about the people wandering around. He’d snagged some champagne from a passing waiter, and Carli felt herself growing sillier the more she had to drink.
Occasionally, Blake introduced her to some of the guests, and they chatted for a few minutes. Then, he dismissed them in the most amazing way, as though they needed to talk to someone else. At a guess, he’d learned that from his mother. Or conceivably his father. She had yet to meet him.
“Blake, there you are. I couldn’t imagine you’d miss your mother’s yearly event.”
The woman who spoke was stunning. Tall and brunette, about Blake’s age, she wore a low-cut sleeveless surplice dress that clung to her every curve. And boy, did she have some. The jewelry she had on must have cost a fortune, if it was real, and Carli had an idea that most of the jewelry here tonight was the real thing. Except hers. She got hers at one of the discount shops at the mall.
Blake stood to greet the elegant beauty and was wrapped in her long, slender arms. Her ruby red lips left a mark on his cheek, too close to his mouth for Carli’s liking. Who was she?
