Sniffing back what appeared to be actual tears, she busied herself with tidying the extra coasters. “It isn’t a date, but I wouldn’t mind having a male friend to do things with once in a while. To events like we’re going to tonight. Rowan told me I was brave to get out and enjoy society with someone besides Diana.”
Mom wasn’t looking at him, still stacking and restacking the coasters. Hugh put his hand over his mother’s, stilling her nervous fidgeting. “Rowan was right. I hope you and Owen have a great evening.” She looked up and met his gaze, surprise lighting her dark amber eyes, the same color as his sons’. “I also hope William chokes on his fucking dinner and dies.”
“Thank you, Will,”Rowan smiled as he brought her another glass of ice water and a shot of Slane to their table. The evening was lovely and warm, but with a cool breeze moving through the flowers and topiaries. The Philbrook garden lights created lovely sparkles dancing in the deep striations of her crystal glass. For some reason, the golden whiskey, one of her favorite colors, made her miss her sisters terribly. Rowan could always enjoy herself without being part of the Byrne trio, but she also wouldn’t deny that nights like this would have been better together.
She would be back in Dublin soon. She was working endless hours to ensure it.
She’d called Raven and River back on her way to the boutique that morning to meet with a William Sonoma representative who specialized in Breville products. The boutique would house a small coffee and pastry café. It had been Rowan’s idea to turn the second floor, which had originally been earmarked for storage, into a chic, trendy café where shoppers would love to meet their friends. The bar would look over the boutique’s wares, encouraging patrons to shop before or after relaxing.
Rowan’s ears were still ringing from the shrill screams both her sisters belted out when Rowan recounted that morning’s encounter with Hugh. She still couldn’t believe he’d kissed her ass.
After discussing her options on how to handle dating Will and discovering what in the hell was going on with Hugh, Rowan hung up, promising to send pictures of her and Matilda in their evening dresses and to call them when she got up tomorrow morning, which was a Saturday, thank God.
William had been very appreciative of her dress choice. Admittedly, Rowan had felt special when he touched her lips with his and whispered how beautiful she looked. She chose a simple, nude slip dress, nude strappy sandals, and her favorite James Avery piece hung between her breasts, a silver filigreed Creation pendant—a birthday present from her parents. She left her hair long, with one side pulled back and secured with a simple silver comb.
While the guests this evening slowly made their way through the line of paparazzi who wanted to get pictures of socialites and politicians for blogs and social pages, an older woman told Rowan she looked just like Pocahontas. The woman’s daughter literally almost died on the spot, but Rowan only laughed. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that. She and her sisters did kind of resemble the Disney princess. Raven was the only one who had those lovely lips, though.
Will sat beside her and grimaced when his phone dinged several times. Rowan could tell he wanted to check them, but he was too much of a gentleman. “Will, if you need to check your messages, I completely understand. Business doesn’t stop for our convenience,” she smiled to let him know she meant it.
Will looked sheepish. He reached for his phone and tapped the back panel. “I would have loved to shut it off tonight, butthere are some worrisome issues at work in regards to one of our newest jobs.”
“I hope it’s nothing too serious.”
“Too early to tell, but we’ve had two security breaches in the part of our system that houses the specs. It shouldn’t be possible. Our system knocked the hackers out, but…it’s concerning. I wouldn’t be so worried, but this new deal we’re working on is a government contract and one of the biggest deals Stanton Industries has landed.”
“I am perfectly content to sip my whiskey and listen to the orchestra. It’s like being on a Bridgerton set. I’m in heaven and here come Tilly and your father so I won’t be alone. Go, Will. Take care of business so that you can enjoy the rest of the evening.”
He stood, looking down at Rowan with grateful appreciation. She was surprised when he bent, lightly cupping her jaw before kissing her. Speaking of Bridgerton romance, Rowan sighed and then inwardly cringed when she wished it were Hugh that had made such a romantic gesture.
“Thank you, Rowan. I will try to hurry,” he said as he walked away from the table.
Will didn’t make it back for dinner, which was a shame because it was beautifully served and delicious. She enjoyed Owen and Matilda’s company. Rowan’s presence didn’t seem to put a damper on their lively conversation.
However, Rowan’s lack of concern for William’s absence was a definite red flag. She enjoyed his company, but she certainly didn’t pine for it. When he finally rejoined their table, William looked slightly frazzled. Owen asked what he’d found out, and Will admitted that their top people were still attempting to find out how the breach had even occurred. He hoped to have more information by tomorrow.
“We’ll need to visit Aunt Diana in the morning. I’m afraid, Dad, we’ll need to head back to Houston directly after.” William looked at Rowan then, taking her hand that rested on the table, an apologetic smile touched his lips.
Rowan wasn’t glad Will’s company was having trouble, but in truth, it would give her time to sort things out with Hugh. And there was the fact that she was returning to Dublin soon.
When she and Matilda were let off at the hotel, Owen and William walked them into the lobby. Rowan was pleased that Owen hugged Matilda before telling her that he’d had one of the best evenings he could remember. For her part, Matilda smiled, hugged the older Stanton goodnight, and said, “It was a lovely night, Owen. Thank you.”
William stood before her, appearing a bit glum. “I hope I didn’t completely wreck my chances. Tonight’s interruption was unplanned and very unwelcome.”
Rowan took both of his hand in hers, so he wouldn’t get any ideas about kissing her in the lobby where a certain O’Faolain man might be lurking, and said, “Tonight was wonderful. I’m only sorry you missed so much of it. Do not think for a minute that I was put out. The situation sounds like a serious one. Please text or call me and let me know you got things sorted.”
“I will, and I’ll spend the next few days thinking of some way to make it up to you, and thank you for being so understanding.”
Will leaned in to kiss her, and she had no valid reason not to. Surely, Hugh wasn’t hiding behind a potted palm with a machete. He kept hold of one of her hands and placed the other on her lower back. He really was quite handsome. It was such a shame she was more attracted to the strong and silently angry type. William’s mouth touched hers briefly, and then probably because he knew Matilda and Owen were waiting, he let her go with a promise to call tomorrow.
As she and Matilda stepped into the elevator to take them to the penthouse level, Rowan’s phone dinged. A message from Hugh. Why in the hell did her heart begin thumping triple time?
I’ve thought about kissing your ass all day.
A strangled gasp escaped her lips. Matilda gave her a curious look. “Raven,” was Rowan’s explanation.
“My, she’s up early. It’s what, four in the morning there?” Matilda questioned.
“Daniel,” she explained with a shrug.
