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“Here you go, Meg.”
The full one hundred dollars. “Wow,” she whispered. “I thought I needed to buy a bedroom dresser before I could make this kind of money.”
“Don’t get used to it,” he said. “Your days caddying for me are over.”
Just then, Spence emerged from the pro shop along with a young woman dressed for business in a sleeveless black shift, pearls, and a dark green Birkin bag. She was tall and full figured, although not even close to fat. She had strong features—a long face with well-defined, dark eyebrows, an important nose, and a full, sensuous mouth. Subtle highlights brightened the dark brown hair that curved in long, straight layers around her face. Although she looked to be in her late twenties, she carried herself with the confidence of an older woman combined with the sexy assurance of a younger one used to getting her own way.
Skipjack slipped his arm around her. “Ted, you’ve already met Sunny, but I don’t think the rest of you know my beautiful daughter.”
Sunny shook hands briskly, repeating each name and locking it in her memory, starting with Kenny, then Torie—assessing Meg—and pausing when she reached Ted. “It’s great to see you again, Ted.” She studied him as if he were a prized piece of horseflesh, which offended Meg.
“You, too, Sunny.”
Spence squeezed her arm. “Torie here invited us both to a little Fourth of July shindig. A good chance to meet more of the locals and get the lay of the land.”
Sunny smiled at Ted. “Sounds great.”
“Do you want us to pick you up, Meg?” Spence asked. “Torie invited you, too. Sunny and I’ll be happy to stop on our way.”
Meg pulled a long face. “Sorry, I have to work.”
Ted thumped her on the back. Extra hard. “I wish all the club’s employees were so dedicated.” He slipped his thumb under her shoulder blade, finding what just might be one of those lethal pressure points only assassins knew about. “Fortunately, Shelby’s party doesn’t start until late afternoon. You can come over as soon as you get off work.”
She managed a weak smile, then decided that a free meal, her curiosity about Sunny Skipjack, and the opportunity to irritate Ted outweighed spending another night alone. “All right. But I’ll drive myself.”
Sunny, in the meantime, was having a hard time tearing her eyes away from Ted. “You’re quite the public servant.”
“I do my best.”
Her teeth were large and perfect as she smiled. “I suppose the least I can do is put in my own bid.”
Ted cocked his head. “Beg pardon?”
“The auction,” she said. “I’ll definitely put in a bid.”
“You’ve got me at a disadvantage, Sunny.”
She snapped open her Birkin and extracted a bright red flyer. “I found this under the windshield of my rental car after I stopped in town.”
Ted glanced down at the flyer. It might have been Meg’s imagination, but she thought he flinched.
Kenny, Torie, and Spence moved closer to read over his shoulder. Spence shot Meg a speculative look. Kenny shook his head. “This is Shelby’s big idea. I heard her talking about it to Lady E., but I never thought it would get this far.”
Torie let out a hoot. “I’m definitely bidding. I don’t care what Dex says.”
Kenny arched a dark brow. “Lady E. sure isn’t bidding.”
“That’s what you think,” his sister retorted. She extended the flyer toward Meg. “Take a look at this. Too bad you’re poor.”
The flyer was simply printed in bold black letters:
WIN A WEEKEND WITH TED BEAUDINE
Join Wynette’s favorite bachelor
for a romantic weekend in San Francisco.
Sightseeing, fine dining,
