“I prefer Tammy.” She actually said it with a smile and in her most genuine voice. Lance should have figured out by now that she didn’t like the name her mother gave her because she’d always used it in contempt. Tammy was much more common and down to earth as far as she was concerned. Also, her mother would never use it.
“Tammy then.” Marianne’s voice was pleasant but she seemed to dismiss her as soon as she greeted her. Her attention turned back to Lance. “So are we ready for Wednesday?”
Now that got Tammy’s attention. Was he taking Marianne too? This wasn’t making sense.
“It’ll be perfect. You always manage to pull it off,” he stated.
She placed her hand on Lance’s chest. “Oh stop. No one ran this charity better than you, and you know it. I couldn’t do it without your connections,” she fluttered, then looked at Tammy briefly. “Don’t mind me. I get worked up every year around this time because I have big shoes to fill.” She gave a false laugh and waved it off. “I never have flopped yet, but I always have that worry.”
Tammy wanted to roll her eyes. Then, it finally dawned on her. This was the friend that he handed the charity to. For some reason she thought it was a man. Well, she should have been relieved that they’d known each other that way, but the woman was outrageously flirting with him, so again, she began to wonder if there was a relationship involved. She also really didn’t appreciate the woman’s hand on his chest. The very chest she’d rested her head on this morning.
“I’ll expect you at my after party.” Marianne plucked imaginary lint off of his shoulder before she smoothed her hand over the same area.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Tammy wanted to peel the woman off of him, but he was perfectly capable of doing that himself and didn’t seem too eager to remove the woman’s hands off of his body. She clenched her jaw and forced a smile like it didn’t bother her.
Her attention finally went to Tammy again. “Of course you are invited Tammy. Any friend of Lance’s is welcome.”
“Thank you.” Tammy knew she was just inviting her because she was sitting there, but she would definitely take it. She knew if she didn’t the woman would have her tentacles into Lance so quick it would make his head spin.
“Well, I must be going. My friends are waiting. Ta-ta.”
“Ta-ta,” Tammy mimicked waving her fingers.
Lance took his seat again and met Tammy’s eyes. His were laced with amusement. Hers weren’t. Tammy never had to deal with envy the likes of this before. Things were different between them now and she felt a little—territorial.
“Your new charity chair is a woman.” It was a statement, not a question and it might have sounded a little clipped. He noticed.
“Jealous.” A corner of his mouth slid up.
Her eyes widened. “Of course I am.”
He looked surprised, then burst out laughing.
“She’s gorgeous,” she added incredibly. “Who wouldn’t be? And the way she was touching you—I wanted to scream.”
It took him a moment to get his laughter under control. He was shaking his head and staring at her when the waiter came back. He quickly dismissed him by ordering the specials. Then he placed his forearms on the table and leaned toward her. “Yes, she’s beautiful, and before you die of curiosity and probably won’t ask, yes, I did date her.”
“I was curious, but it’s not my business.” This whole incident had Tammy’s self-confidence falling bit by bit.
He sat back in his seat and tilted his head while contemplating her response, or lack thereof. “I know you aren’t used to a relationship the likes of what we have, but I have no problem answering your questions.”
“It’s none of my business Lance,” she repeated taking a large gulp of wine.
“I always thought that was one of your best qualities. You were never one to bother with gossip or seek it out. However, she will be sitting at our table tomorrow night so I don’t want any tension there.”
She set her glass down and looked injured. “Lance, it means a lot to you. I’ll be fine. I was raised on etiquette. Trust me.”
“I do trust you. It’s her I’m concerned about.” He smirked.
“Oh.” She flushed.
Again he studied her expression. Then he leaned forward again and spoke. “She was a semi-serious girlfriend. I dated her for about a year.”
“You don’t need to—“
“She wanted marriage at the time and I didn’t. She was possessive of me around others, not just women, but anyone or anything that drew my attention from her including my job. The relationship ended when Riley was murdered. I concentrated more on the trial, and she decided not to wait. She obviously didn’t know who I really was and wanted someone else.”
