“Well, help yourself to refreshments. Bianca should be here shortly.”
“Thank you, dear. If you could let her know I’m here when you see her.”
Clearly, she’d been relegated to Stephanie’s personal assistant. “Of course.”
A sigh of relief escaped her when Stephanie turned and wandered toward a group of women. While she would never let Stephanie know how she truly felt about her and her two spoiled children, Bristol preferred not to have contact with her if she didn’t have to.
Needing something to do, Bristol placed several clear plastic cups onto a tray, filled each one halfway with champagne, and then wandered around, urging those who had registered for the auction to take one. She smiled when it was appropriate, laughed at a couple of jokes. It wasn’t the most glamorous job in the world, but she didn’t mind it.
When she came upon the group surrounding Kaden and Keegan, she cleared her throat, offered champagne. The women mostly ignored her, but she didn’t care.
“So, when I win the date with you both, what will that entail?” one woman asked.
“You mean whenIwin the date,” Adeline said with a giggle. “I’m hoping there’s nothing off-limits. We’ll make a night of it.”
Bristol felt a strange churning in her stomach. How could these women be so … forward? Especially one of her friends. She’d never understood it.
Not by choice, Bristol made eye contact with Kaden, noticed the way he was watching her. Unable to resist, she peered over at Keegan. He wasn’t looking her way, instead giving his groupies his undivided attention.
Why wouldn’t he? He’d pretty much shunned her before their skin had even cooled after the amazing sex. And then he’d opened his mouth and made her feel about two inches tall, spurring her immediate escape. Which had been the right thing to do, she reassured herself. Never mind the fact she’d regretted giving in to her urges in the first place.
“Well, I was thinking whenIwin the date,” another woman chimed in, “I’ll cook dinner for you both. At my place.”
The woman probably had food in her refrigerator. In her pantry, even. Bristol hadn’t been to the grocery store in ages.
“Steak and baked potatoes,” the woman added. “Big, strong men like you deserve a good meal.”
Bristol fought the urge to mimic gagging herself as she turned back to the refreshment table. She still had a couple of cups available, but she needed a moment to catch her breath.
If she was the one who won the date with the twins, she’d hope for a nice restaurant, maybe some wine and conversation. Sleeping with them would be the last thing on her mind. On a first date.As if.
Oh, God.
Her face flamed as she realized that was exactly what had happened. Kaden had invited her over, she’d gone, and then…
Oh, crap. What was wrong with her?
A firm hand curled around her arm, tugging her around.
“Oh, my heavens! I’m so sorry I’m late,” Bianca blurted, her hair a bit disheveled.
Bristol schooled her expression, forced a smile. “You’re late? I didn’t even notice.”
“I got caught up with a resident. They stopped in at my office to talk about updating the equipment at the park. I told her we could go over it at the next meeting, but she insisted on talking to me now.”
Bristol eyed Bianca’s hair. “A resident?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s your husband, Bianca?”
“What?”
Bristol grinned, giving Bianca the knowing eye. “He’s in town, isn’t he?”
“Maybe.”
She laughed, patting her own hair as a signal. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
