Page 81 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

"Pop, Kate, this is Hart Lockwood."

Hart extended his hand to each. "So nice to meet you.”

"And this is Dash Benning," Kate added.

“Right, sorry. This is Kate’s, uh, Dash,” Natalie murmured.

Would she ever be able to say the word boyfriend aloud? And if they married? He’d be Kate’s husband. Her brother-in-law.

Her one-night-stand brother-in-law.

No. Effing. Way.

Worlds colliding, her disbelief flowed like lava as Dash and Hart shook hands. The group chatted for a few minutes. Natalie sipped her martini and stole glances at Dash.

Time to find out once and for all if he remembers me.

She held up her glass. “Not sure who sent this over for me but thank you. The jalapenos are a nice touch.”

Kate spoke up. “I thought you needed a little something to wet your whistle. I stole the jalapeno idea from Dash.”

“Guilty,” Dash said with a smirk that sent a full-body tingle through Natalie.

Not the smirk. Lord, not the smirk.

“Nat, honey, Kate’s been filling me in on everything you’ve done for this little shindig. Celebrating my 70th while soft-launching your new business? That’s a Foster Powell level chess move right there. I couldn’t be more proud of you for shooting your shot, sweetheart.”

Foster kissed Natalie’s hand, glowing with paternal pride. From the corner of her eye, Natalie spied the photographer, camera pointed in her direction. She leaned her head on her father’s shoulder and the shutter snapped.

And there’s the magazine cover shot.

“Thanks, Pop. I’m so relieved you approve.”

A member of the jazz trio handed Foster a wireless microphone.

He grinned. “Approve? I’m about to sing your praises to everyone.”

The drummer played a short roll on his kit as Foster called the party to attention. Hart’s arms slid around Natalie’s waist from behind. Her spine turned to steel and she tried to push him off. He persisted, nuzzling her neck. She shoved against him, eyes scanning frantically for the photographer. She needed his endorsement but couldn’t be photographed as his mistress. Of course, she’d only made the discovery the night before, but still. Nothing would derail Natalie & Co faster than being exposed as a homewrecker.

She looked toward Kate, but she and Dash were standing a few feet in front of her, holding on to Foster’s every word.

No one’s watching you and Hart. Just stay focused.

“This is the part where I describe everything I’m going to do to you later tonight,” Hart whispered.

Ignore him.

Count to ten.

Don’t make a scene.

Hart’s hand brushed her neck.

Then she felt her zipper lower.

One inch.

Two inches.