“It’s okay. I’ll hold onto it for you. It’s not like anyone’s going to forget that coat.”
She could almost hear him thinking the wordsOr that dress. He dragged a finger along his jaw, the way he always did when he was trying not to stare.
Leo came through the front doors then, dressed in a blue blazer and pants. His black hair was sharply parted, faded on one side with a long, modern comb-over that brushed against his lashes.
“Well if it isn’t the man of the hour,” Ethan teased. “You look like you’re ready to make some money.”
“Or cause a fight,” Cali chuckled.
Leo did a double take at her. “Holy shit, Cali. I barely recognized you.”
Cali blushed. “Is that a bad thing?”
“No,” Leo said. “You look …” His gaze flitted to Ethan for a moment.
“Amazing. She looks amazing, doesn’t she?” Ethan said.
Leo just gave a low whistle and gestured his hands as if his mind had blown up. Then he asked if they’d seen Lynne.
“She’s manning the open bar they set up,” Ethan said, gesturing toward the opposite end of the ballroom. “Arrived hours ago.”
“Right, right, right,” Leo whispered, still searching the room for Lynne. “Well, I think I’ll go see what she’s up to before Chief Bob pulls us up on stage. Catch you later.” Then he turned his head toward them again. “Oh, and Ethan, no bidding on me tonight, man. Okay? I know you’re obsessed. But can we just focus on the strays for once?” His dark eyes glistened.
Ethan chortled and lifted his hands in surrender. “Promise I’ll behave.”
Leo winked at them both and disappeared toward the bar.
Once he was out of earshot, Ethan leaned toward Cali and whispered, “Okay, I was sworn to not tell anyone this. But you’re not just anyone.” He inhaled sharply. “Leo’s got itbadfor Lynne.”
Cali’s skin tingled at the feel of his breath against it, but she shrugged off his comment. “Everyone in Autumn Ridge knows that. But did youalsoknow that Lynne and Leo’s older brother were high school sweethearts?”
Ethan’s eyes grew wide. “No. Leo failed to mention that little detail during our fishing trip.”
“And,” Cali added. “Lynne used to babysit Leo.”
Minka rushed up toward them then with her phone positioned in front of her face. “Say cheese, guys! This one’s going live in five.”
“Video or photo?” Ethan asked.
“Just photos for now. I’ll do video later. But I’ll give you a warning.”
Cali and Ethan stood a foot from each other, Cali’s hands folded across her chest. They both smiled, but Minka frowned at them. “Closer,” she instructed from behind the phone. Cali shifted toward Ethan, but not too close. “Closer,” Minkarepeated. Ethan shifted toward her until his suit grazed her bare skin and covered it in goosebumps. “Now turn toward each other,” Minka said. “That’s it, a little closer.”
Cali felt heady, enveloped by Ethan’s scent. So warm and full of spice. And then she felt one of his hands slip around her waist and linger at her hipbone. The blood climbed into her cheeks.
He leaned close enough so only she could hear. “You’re going to make it impossible to think about stray cats tonight,” he murmured, his voice low and a little rougher than he intended.
Her mouth curved in that small, knowing smile. And just as she was about to offer a witty remark, the camera light flashed.
“Got it,” Minka said cheerily. “Okay, see ya!”
She started backing away from them, but Cali saw the wet, dreamy glow in her eyes. She mouthedTraitorat Minka, which only made Minka’s grin widen.
Ethan released her hip and glanced down at her. “Remind me,” he said lightly, playfully, his lips mere inches from hers, “are you here to help the cats or ruin every man who gets within ten feet of you?”
Cali laughed nervously. “So I wanted to go look at some of the things up for auction. I’ll be back before the doors open.” She turned and dashed off, pretending she didn’t feel his gaze tracing her every step. She wasn’t sure which unnerved her more—that he was watching or that she didn’t want him to stop.
Chapter 24
