“Mmm-hmm.” She explained how he’d dragged her out of bed and got her moving.
“Betsy’s the daughter of one of Emily’s best friends,” he said thoughtfully.
Something in his voice made her look up, and she noticed his expression, a mixture of curiosity and confusion.
“What?”
“Matchmaking,” he said.
She shook her head, not following.
“I’ve been wondering why Emily suddenly quittrying to fix me up with every woman in Orange County. Shedidn’tquit. She just got sneakier.”
“Kyle, you’re not making sense.”
But he was hardly paying attention to her now. “I know how to find out. Are you okay on your own for a few minutes?”
“Of course, but—”
She never got the question out. He planted a quick kiss on her cheek and then he was gone. Mel frowned, watching him go, then turned to find a waiter. Apparently, this evening required a glass of wine.
She snagged a glass of merlot, then headed in Lucy’s direction, wanting to offer congratulations one more time to her and her fiancé, Jack.
“Thank you so much,” Lucy said, after Mel found her. “And I’m so glad you came.” She squeezed Mel’s hand. “I’m even more happy that Kyle’s found someone.”
Mel’s cheeks burned. “Oh, we’re not—I mean, I just work for Kyle. We’re just friends.”
Lucy, however, looked dubious. And, honestly, Mel wasn’t too convinced herself.
* * *
KYLE WAS HEADINGfor Frances when Jack caught up to him and gave him a hefty slap on the shoulder. “Congratulations, buddy. It feels nice, doesn’t it?”
Kyle frowned. He didn’t know Jack all that well, certainly not well enough to follow the man’s train of thought. “What?”
“The ball and chain. Being off the market. Snubbing your nose at the singles scene.”
“There’s nothing going on between me and Melissa,” he said, the words automatic because he knew that’s what Melissa would want him to say. “She works for me. We’re just friends.”
“You are so full of bull.”
Kyle couldn’t help but laugh. He pointed to the beer in Jack’s hand. “How many of those have you had, man?”
“Who knows? Who cares? I’m engaged. I love it. Should have done it years ago.” A wide grin split his face. “Of course, your cousin’s the only woman who could entice me, and I didn’t know her years ago.”
Kyle just shook his head. “Keep her happy.”
“I will,” Jack promised. “You do the same.”
“I told you—”
But Jack cut him off with a wave of his hand, managing to splash beer on Kyle’s suit in the process. “Come on, my friend. I can see it in your eyes. Hers, too. You guys are smitten with each other.”
Kyle just stared, and Jack laughed, then slapped Kyle on the back one more time.
“Glad I’m not the only one head-over-heels for a woman.” He lifted his beer. “To the girls,” he said.
And because he didn’t know what else to say, Kyle repeated the toast.
