Campbell took a long drink of champagne. “It’s the ruffles. What do you think, Zane?”
McKenna tossed him what he interpreted as a don’t-you-dare-say-a-word look before she turned to Susannah. “Susannah, it’s your wedding,” McKenna said, emphasizing the word your as if the other two people in the room might have forgotten. He hadn’t, but he couldn’t vouch for Campbell. “What do you think of this dress?”
“I think the ruffles are a little much, too.”
“Then we cross it off the list.” McKenna’s voice filled with authority as she turned to Campbell. “On to the next one.”
Danged if Campbell didn’t march back to the rack, grab another dress, and scoot behind the screen. Zane couldn’t help but admire the way McKenna accomplished the feat.
The next dress had a round neckline and stopped below the knee with a small slit on one side. Her glass now empty, Campbell held it out for McKenna to refill, and then took another long drink. “I don’t like this one at all. It’s frumpy.”
When McKenna asked for Susannah’s opinion, she said, “I think it’s too informal for what I have in mind.”
“How formal are you thinking? Black-tie? Because if you are, then you should choose a floor or ankle length gown,” McKenna advised.
“Definitely black-tie with the governor coming.”
McKenna nodded in agreement. “Campbell, don’t bother trying on the other mid-length dresses.”
Great news. Four down. He didn’t want to think about how many to go.
When Campbell changed and returned, she said, “The next time Garrett’s in town, Zane and I should go out with you two.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Susannah turned to him. “I’m sure you and Garrett will hit it off. He’s visiting at the end of the month.”
Double date with status snob Susannah, her fiancé, and needy Campbell? He’d rather stay home and watchDownton Abbey. “I don’t know if I’ll still be in town, but we’ll see.” Then having had his fill of this fashion show, he added, “As fun as it’s been, I need to check on Ginny and return to work.”
Susannah said something about understanding, keeping in touch, and hoping he could get together with her and Garrett. Zane nodded, mumbled sure that sounded good, and stood to leave.Whatever, but get me out of here.
“You may understand, Susannah, but I don’t,” Campbell snapped, her words slightly slurred as she stormed toward him. She must have downed those two glasses of champagne on an empty stomach for her to get buzzed so fast. “Zane, you promised you’d help pick out the right dress, but now you’re backin’ out.”
He tensed, and his fisted hands inside his front pockets twitched. When he gave his word, it meant something. He wouldn’t let Campbell say he was breaking it now. “I never promised.”
“Go then. I won’t beg you to stay.” Campbell shoved her empty glass toward McKenna.
Instead of refilling it, McKenna said, “I think we all need to take a break and eat something.”
“I want ’nother drink.”
When Campbell lunged for the bottle, McKenna scooted out of reach. “I’ll gladly refill your glass after you eat something.”
Campbell’s eyes narrowed, and her lips thinned into a white line. Her hand, not holding her glass, fisted. Hurricane Campbell was about to make landfall. “Listen, you—”
Zane stepped in front of McKenna, and his gaze locked on Campbell. “How about I select the next dress you try on?” He pried the glass from her hand, placed it on the coffee table, and cupped her elbow. As he guided her back to the clothes rack, he said, “The ones you’ve tried on haven’t done you justice. Let’s find one with a better neck.”
Campbell giggled, her anger blowing out faster than a grasshopper disappeared in a chicken yard. Then she leaned forward, giving him full view of her ample cleavage. “You don’t like the cowl neckline?”
“I see it has advantages.” He turned to the rack of dresses. As he rifled through the damn things, he swallowed a curse. So much for the easier and safer choice. This was a new form of torture. One AJ should use interrogating criminals. Picking a dress that looked pretty much like the rest, he handed the garment to Campbell. “This one.”
Campbell scooted closer and her thigh pressed against his crotch. An accident, he hoped, until she rubbed her leg against him.
While he enjoyed a good roll in the hay as much as any man, he wasn’t interested in it being a spectator sport.
Warning bells clanged in Zane’s head as he slid away. “I’m into a lot of things but putting on a show isn’t one of them.”
Chapter Six
“Let’s go somewhere.I’d love to hear ’bout LA,” Campbell crooned.
