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The decision to wear it was now solidified. Yes, I did dare!
“Mother,” I said. “I’ve really got to go.” I needed to call Michael. No two ways about it, I absolutely had to have him with me tomorrow.
“You’re bringing someone, aren’t you?” she continued as though I hadn’t spoken.
“Of course.” I cringed since I hadn’t yet asked him. Though in truth, I had little doubt he’d help me out. I knew he was back in town and would do this favor for me. He was that type of guy. Of course, he’d expect something in return. Tit for tat. It was a game we played when I needed his professional photography assistance for one of my public relations gigs.
Luckily, I knew a bottle of his favorite Scotch would grease the wheels.
“You’re seeing someone, then?” she queried. “You haven’t mentioned anyone in a very long while.”
I’d introduced Michael to my family a year ago. They’d been quite impressed I’d landed him. Disappointed I hadn’t kept him.
“I have a client on the other line,” I lied. I didn’t want to throw out the name of my date, on the off chance I couldn’t persuade Michael to traverse this landmine with me.
“Fine. Don’t be late tomorrow.”
“I promise to be at Lizzie’s party at three.”
“Oh, darling. We don’t call her that anymore. She’s a grown woman, about to be married. It’s Elizabeth now. Do try to remember that.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure, Mother. Gotta go.” I disconnected the call before she could launch into another subject. I’m sure that infuriated her.
Sitting back in my chair, I wondered just how badly I’d screwed myself. Perhaps I should have made up an excuse and told her I had an event to manage tomorrow. Then again, if I mentioned work, she’d likely go on and on about how tragic and humiliating it was that I hadn’t followed the four-generation tradition of practicing law.
Resigned to the inevitable, I had to accept my mandatory attendance at Seth and Lizzie’s—er, Elizabeth’s—engagement party.
My gaze lifted to the door again, and I stared at the garment bag. I nodded my head. Yes, indeed, I needed that suit of armor. My hands might be tied when it came to family obligations, but I’d wear a dress that would leave everyone speechless.
A very nice change of pace at a Carlisle family outing.
Though I had one more gigantic step to take in order to achieve the impossible.
Chapter Two
I took a deep breath, held it for a couple of seconds then slowly let it out. I picked up the phone again and hit a speed dial number.
Three rings later, a deep, sexy voice came from the other end of the line. “This is Michael.”
My stomach fluttered. Not necessarily a good thing. Hoping I didn’t sound as breathless as I felt, I asked, “Never just Mike?”
“Would you prefer just Mike?”
I smiled. “No, I guess not. Michael suits you.”
“Then Michael it is.”
Settling more comfortably into my chair, I asked, “Where are you?” I’d called him on his cell. I needed to confirm he was in San Francisco before I asked him on this treacherous date to the wine country.
It’s not a date. That sentiment was supposed to calm my suddenly jangled nerves. It didn’t work.
“I’m in town,” he said. “Just rolled in on my motorcycle.”
As if I needed one more thing about this man to be so disarming. I pictured him swinging one very long, powerful leg over the back of the bike as he climbed off. In my little fantasy, he wore black leather pants that hugged his high, tight ass and a black T-shirt that accentuated his broad shoulders, wide chest and rock-hard biceps. His collar-dusting dark brown hair was tousled from the wind, because who the hell needed a helmet in a fantasy? He raked a hand through it before whipping off his shades to reveal eyes the color of a clear summer sky.
I bit back a sigh of longing.
“Still there, babe?”
