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“You didn’t hear that from me.”
“It was in the paper.”
“I wondered if that was a decoy. It wasn’t until I got to work today that I realized they were really having a wedding reception here.”
“I walked right in.” Sammy thought that was strange. “How come that was so easy?”
“This place has great security. The Cannons were fine with people in the lobby. They used another entrance for their guests. They don’t ever have to come through this lobby if they don’t want to. This hotel is known for discretion. Many celebrities stay here and no one ever knows about it.”
“Well, here’s to the bride and groom.” She raised her glass. “May they live happily ever after.”
* * * *
AFTER THE CEREMONY, obligatory best man duties, and what seemed to be a never-ending reception, Tyler made his way out to the lobby of the posh Manhattan hotel. He nodded at the two security guards who had been keeping stray hotel guests from getting into the reception. He couldn’t handle one more aunt or distant relative asking when he would be following in his brother’s footsteps and finding a girl like Coda.
It wasn’t like him to come to a family function without a date, but he’d been so busy with the agency lately, he didn’t have much time for a social life. With Spencer leaving for a two week honeymoon in Italy, Tyler would have to step up and take charge. Filling Spencer’s shoes was a big task, and in the past few weeks Tyler had been spending every spare second with his brother to make sure he was up to the challenge.
He scanned the lobby bar, noticing an open stool next to the most stunning brunette he’d seen in a while. He didn’t have to take over the helm at work for two more days. He saw no reason why he shouldn’t indulge in a drink, and maybe, if he was lucky, a little more with the sexy girl who now stared at him as he approached the bar.
He took in her silky, toned legs and strappy stiletto heels.Hot.She wore a tight black dress, nothing fancy, that sat high on her thighs. Her long, brown hair hung over her shoulders and curled loosely at the ends. Her olive complexion and dark eyes accented her exotic features. She looked to be from Latin descent, maybe Italian. Either way, she was a beauty.
He’d gawked long enough. It was time to get to know her.
She shot him a shy smile when he pulled the stool out and took a seat next to her. Once he sat down, he noted she was younger than she looked from across the room. Her makeup was light and she wore a thin chain around her neck with a small silver cross dangling from it. Glancing at the bar, he saw a white wine in front of her, so unless she sported a fake ID, she had to be at least twenty-one.
Now that he was closer to her, he got the feeling she didn’t belong at the bar. There was an awkwardness about her. She looked uncomfortable, but managed a quiet hello.
“Hi.” He waved the bartender over. “I’ll take whatever’s on draft.”
She swirled her finger around the rim of her wine glass. “You’re with the wedding.”
“I am.” He smiled. “Just thought I’d come out for a break. It’s been a long week.”
“I bet it was amazing.” She sipped her wine, crinkling her nose when she set it down.
“Do you want something else to drink?”
“No, thank you. I’m not a big drinker, or at least I’m not used to drinking yet.”
“Just turned legal?”
“The other day.”
“Happy birthday.” He raised his glass to her.
“Thank you.” She giggled as she picked her wine up and took another sip. “I’m Sammy.”
“I’m Tyler.”
“Cannon.” She nodded. “I know who you are.”
His family had been common tabloid fodder for years, so it didn’t surprise him that she knew who he was. “Reading the rag sheets?”
“Sometimes, but my whole neighborhood is talking about Dakota.”
“You’re from Brooklyn?” He should have realized it by her accent. It wasn’t over-the-top, but he detected the slight dialect. “Do you know Coda?”
“I grew up in Brooklyn, not far from Coda, but she’s a few years older than me. We don’t know one another.” When she tossed her hair over her shoulder, he caught the aroma of her berry scented shampoo. “I’m in my last semester of school. We had a reception down the street tonight, and I thought I’d hang around and see if I could catch a glimpse of the bride.”
