Timing (152 page)

When all the girls kissed me before getting up to go mingle, I

turned my head to Ben.

He let out a snort of laughter. “I wouldn’t be you on a bet.”

I smiled at him as his hand rested between my shoulder blades.

“And thanks for being good to Nicky. I know he ain’t your

favorite guy, but he’s not a dick like Rand either.”

“I know.”

“But if you give him a chance, then so will Char, and that’s the

truth.”

“Sure,” I yawned, rubbing my eyes hard. “I think I’m gonna go

up and unpack and maybe lay down for a while until the bachelor party.

I don’t wanna pass out later.”

“Bachelor party is tomorrow night, buddy. Tonight is just all of us

goin’ out honky-tonkin’.”

Good God.

“Do you have boots?”

“Ben.”

“And a hat?”

“I’ll just sit and drink, how’s that?”

He nodded, smiling wide. “Sounds like a good plan,” he agreed,

and I felt his hand slip off me. “I’ll get you up in time to eat in case you

really pass out.”

I nodded and rose up out of my chair, looking down at my friend.

“I really am happy to be here, you know.”

“I know.” He smiled up at me. “And I appreciate it too.”

Timing

25

I squeezed his shoulder before I started for the grand staircase.

Almost there, I was suddenly faced with Rand Holloway. I waited for

the attack.

He scowled.

I crossed my arms.

Seconds ticked by.

His Technicolor blue eyes darkened.

“Jesus, what?” I finally asked, already exasperated.

“This is your greeting.”

“You’re the one standing there not saying a word.”

He nodded, and I threw up my hands, slipping around him to the

stairs. I took them in threes and made it to the landing and around the

corner.

“Joss!”

Rand was one of those guys who called everyone by their last

name. I hated it because it had always seemed like such macho bullshit.

I turned at my door and watched him jog down the hallway to me.

“Listen,” he said, stopping in front of me. “I just want to call a

truce for the next few days, all right? I’ve got enough on my mind

without having to fight with––”

“Great, perfect,” I cut him off. “You stay clear of me, and I’ll do

the same.”

His eyes searched mine, and as always I thought how beautiful

they were. No matter my feelings for the man, he was, without a doubt,

stunning. Just the dark turquoise blue eyes were enough to melt me into

a puddle on the floor. To say the man was hot was an understatement.

“Anything else?”

He turned and left without a backward glance.

I flipped him off because I felt like it. That he had missed it

because his back was turned really wasn’t the point.

Inside my room, I shed my jacket and fell down on the huge four-

poster bed. It was nice that Charlotte’s uncle Lincoln had volunteered

26

Mary Calmes

his business to house the wedding party. I hated big hotels, since I

traveled so much with my job. Being at a nice, quiet, charming B&B

was a treat. As I closed my eyes, I wondered who had put Rand up to

making nice with me. I would have to ask Charlotte if it was her when I

woke up… later.