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“Can we catch up, Edward, for a drink?”
“I’m busy, sorry.”
“I was so sorry about Emily, Edward. Please.” She moved closer, pressing into his side. “For old times’ sake.”
Ted had a feeling she was offering more than a drink, and the thought made him sad. Anna had been the one person in his life who he’d believed was really happy with the person she was. He’d believed she would always do exactly what she wanted in her life. Be someone who wouldn’t settle. It seemed he’d been wrong.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have time.”
“I missed you.” Before he could stop her, she’d wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Oh! Sorry.”
With the perfect timing he’d had since childhood, those words were spoken over his shoulder by Mandy. Wrenching free from Anna, he turned and grabbed her wrist before she made her escape back into the kitchens.
“Mandy!” He hauled her into his side. “Come and meet Anna. She’s an old friend,” he said, hearing the panic in his tone.
“Hi.” Mandy didn’t fight the arm he slipped around her waist, but she was rigid. Anna’s eyes narrowed.
“I see. I’m sorry, I’ve just made a fool of myself.”
Ted wasn’t sure what Anna saw looking at him and Mandy, but whatever it was it had her withdrawing.
“Not from where I’m standing,” Mandy said in that polite little voice as she tried unsuccessfully to get away from Ted. “I see a woman greeting her old friend.”
He looked down at her. The old Mandy would never have spoken that way. In fact, she’d have stayed silent; instead she was giving Anna an out. His chest felt warm again.
“Yes, well. Edward and I were college friends. Our parents used to vacation together. Due to his family’s connections, they often hosted parties.” Anna’s laugh was forced. “Good to see you again, Edward.”
Ted watched Anna go and felt only relief.
“You can let me go now, she’s gone.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Ted—”
“I didn’t instigate that kiss, Mandy.”
“I know that. Anyone could see you were uncomfortable.”
“Okay, good,” he said, relieved she’d understood.
“Besides, it’s not for me to say who you can kiss or not. We… I mean there’s nothing between us. Now, you need to let me go so I can grab a pen from reception for Kirby.”
Oh, there was something between them. Ted just wasn’t sure what.
“You don’t want to ask me anything after that conversation?” Ted turned her to face him.
She was hot, her face flushed. Wisps had come out of her braid, and she looked good enough to kiss, even in that dirty apron.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Your family’s connections are none of my business. If you’d wanted to talk about them, I’m sure you would have by now.” The clipped tone of the words told him that in fact she was pissed off, even though she said she wasn’t.
“So no questions. That’s how this is going, right, Mandy?” Ted wasn’t sure why he was pushing the matter, as it was exactly what he wanted. No one here knew who he was or where he came from. He’d thought that weird in the beginning, but now he realized that his other life was so distant from this one, no one really cared.
