A hush fell over the crowd as all heads swiveled toward us. Although many stared my way, most looked at Liam. Between his chiseled jaw, his artfully gelled hair, and his black tux, he looked like he’d just stepped out of a GQ spread. Perhaps that wasn’t the reason they looked at him, but I bet it was the reason why some of themkeptstaring.
The unremitting gurgle of water from a large round fountain projected noise against the mosaic-tiled floor, chipping away at the oppressive silence. I inhaled slowly, trying to iron out my nerves, but all that did was fill my lungs with the sickly-sweet smell of the roses spilling over the flat wooden trellis that roofed part of the terrace. Orange dregs of sunlight slid around the velvety petals and sharp thorns, dappling the crowd in shards of light. Candles flickered on tall skinny tables wrapped in white cloth, and glowing spheres of frosted glass hung from the trellis like miniaturemoons.
Lucas stood close to me; Liam even closer. Both narrowed their eyes at the quiet, observant crowd. Julian appeared then, in an emerald tux. He pressed past his people to reach us, a tumbler in one hand, a woman in the other. First I thought the woman was his date, but the resemblance between them was so uncanny that I guessed she was Sarah’smother.
“Welcome, welcome.” His voice trumpeted out of him, cheerful and loud. “My sister Nora and I are so glad you could make it.” He let go of his sister’s hand to take mine and lifted it to his lips. “Ness, there are no words to describe how you looktonight.”
“I can think of a few,” Lucas muttered. “Red, for example. Half-naked.”
“What a poet you are, Mr. Mason,” Julian said, tossing a chilly glance Lucas’s way. “The women must just loveyou.”
“They doactually.”
Liam shifted to stand in front of me, which forced Julian to letgo.
A broad smile curled over Julian’sface.
“Well, aren’t we a little possessive?” he said under hisbreath.
Liam didn’tanswer.
Thankfully, Lucas spoke. “Frank and Eric aren’t here yet, arethey?”
“You are the first to arrive.” Julian’s eyes sparked as newcomers made their way onto the twinkling patio. “Mingle and be merry.” He took his sister’s arm, and together they walked to greet their newguests.
Soft string music started up again. Although the Pines remained alert, tossing sporadic glances our way, conversationsresumed.
“Is he expecting us to actually chat with his people?” Lucas muttered toLiam.
“Damn, girl, I was right.” A burst of yellow popped into my line of sight. Sarah walked over to us, blonde corkscrews tumbling over the buttercup dress that stuck to her curves like abandage.
She pressed a kiss to my cheek, which had Lucas and Liam gaping. They’d heard we were friends, but apparently they didn’t believeit.
“You Neanderthals clean up nicely, too,” shesaid.
Lucas, who’d grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing tray, choked on his drink. “Neanderthal?”
Igrinned.
“Yes. Neanderthal. Especially you, Mason,” Sarah said. “From what I hear, you’re a particularly devolved malespecimen.”
Lucas’s eyes turned a neon shade of blue. “Figures you and Ness get along. Bothshrews.”
“Lucas…” Liamsaid.
Lucas turned on his friend. “What? I’m not the one tossing around hurtfulobservations.”
“Was shrew supposed to be a compliment?” Sarahasked.
Lucas smirked. “Compared to what I was really thinking,yes.”
Her eyes glittered withmirth.
“Are you deejaying tonight?” Liam asked, and I wondered how painful it was for him to actconvivial.
“After dinner, I’mon.”
“Damn. I forgot my earplugs.” Lucas downed hischampagne.
