And why was Reed pushing for her to stick with Brad?Did he really think there was something going on between them?Or was he onto them and just getting a little payback?
She gave the last question a little more thought.There was nothing she knew about Reed that would suggest he would seek payback, which left her with the knowledge that he was looking out for his friend.She was happy that Brad had a friend like that.She was lucky enough to have three of them: Sadie, Carrie, and Kate.
Just then she realized they were dancing next to Reed and Sadie.When she smiled at Brad, she noticed that he smiled back, but it wasn’t the big, warm smile that she’d witnessed him sharing with Sadie.Instead, his face now looked a bit stiff, and his icy-blue eyes told her nothing.If they were doors to his soul, those doors were firmly closed to her.
The song ended, and a slow song started to play.Before Abby could excuse herself and make her way back to the table, she heard Reed say, “Okay, time to swap partners.I need a dance with my bride.”
Reed moved fast, and the next thing Abby knew, Brad was standing in front of her.She had to crane her neck to look into his eyes.
“Don’t just stand there, you two,” Reed said.“Dance.”
Brad held up his arms as though an invitation for her to step into his embrace.She supposed it would look strange if she were to turn around and walk back to the table now.
And so, she stepped forward.His right arm wrapped around her.His hand pressed against the small of her back.His left hand grasped hers.And then they were swaying to the music.
Not knowing what to say to him, she averted her gaze.She could tell when guys were into her, and he definitely wasn’t into her.And that was fine with her.Just because he was the most handsome man she’d ever met didn’t mean she wanted to date him.
When he drew her closer, her heart skipped a beat or two.It was then she noticed how broad his shoulders were and how muscled his arms were.Not that she was the least bit interested in him beyond friends.
Besides, after the wedding was over, she doubted she would see much of him again.He’d already made it clear he loved Chicago, and he was not impressed with Bayberry.
“You’re awfully quiet.”His deep voice drew her from her thoughts.
When she lifted her head to look at him, she suddenly realized just how close they were.Her heart started to pound.All she had to do was rise up on her tiptoes and lean forward ever so slightly, and they would be kissing.
The thought was so tempting.She wondered what it’d be like to feel his lips on hers.Would his kiss be quick and passionate?Or would it be slow and tender?
Chapter Eleven
“Abby?”
His voice drew Abby from her errant thoughts.She blinked and found herself once more staring into those mesmerizing icy-blue eyes.Her heart was still racing.Did he know she’d just been fantasizing about kissing him?
Just the thought sent heat rushing to her face.She lowered her head, not wanting him to see her blush.Oh my!She couldn’t believe she’d let her thoughts drift so far off track.
“Abby, are you all right?”There was a note of concern in his voice.
No.She most definitely was not.But there was no way she was going to admit that to him.
Instead, she raised her head, carefully avoiding staring into his eyes.She nodded.“Sorry.I was thinking about a problem at the coffeeshop.”
“Anything serious?”
“I hope not.It’s just that if I had been there, I might have caught it before things got worse.”
“That’s the way I feel about my work.Reed gives me a hard time about working too much, but there’s always something that needs my attention.”
They had that in common.She wondered what other similarities they shared.Not that they were going to have time to find out, because Brad was due to fly out Sunday morning after the party.
“Do you think Reed is really buying the story that there’s something, uh, going on between us?”Heat flared in her cheeks.
Brad shrugged.“It’s hard to tell.”
“But you know him well, don’t you?”
Brad nodded.“We’ve been buds since we shared a dorm room our freshman year at college.He was a journalism major, and I was into programming.”
“Did you two start the Rumor Quill as soon as you graduated?”
