AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I did. And did you hear me say I’m not buying it? You get this look on your face when you’re with her. The chemistry between you is so strong, it should have its own element on the periodic table.”
“I think you’re mistaking a good working relationship with something romantic. As I said, I can hardly have ‘a little fun’ with my personal assistant. I’ll be real with you—she is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but not in the way you think. It’s purely platonic. Besides, she’s seeing someone.”
He thought of her going out with Kevin Clooney again tonight. What was this, their third or fourth date? Not that he’d been counting. He couldn’t help but notice because something seemed to remind him of it every time he turned around.
And he hated it.
Savannah was watching him again, sizing him up. “Do you realize you were in such a good mood until Felicity mentioned that she has plans tonight?”
“No, I was in a good mood until you took it upon yourself to invite her to dinner tonight. You put me in the middle of a very embarrassing situation.”
Savannah started to protest again. Austin held up his hand. There was no use in rehashing the same argument again, which was what was about to happen unless he circumnavigated it.
“Would you get off my back and drop this Felicity crusade if I agree to go on a date?”
Savannah’s face lit up and her mouth dropped open.
“Not with Felicity,” he hastened to add. “I can see what you were thinking. I’ll ask someone to go to Bourbon Street with me, you and Chaz. Someone who is not Felicity.”
He was going to ask Macks Cole. Why not? He wasn’t serious about dating Macks, but essentially, it would serve two purposes: It would allow him to get his sister off his back, and it would be good for client relations.
It was a total win-win.
Why did he feel so empty?
* * *
“Your father sends his best wishes.” Sarah Fortune glanced around her dining room table, smiling at her children, Austin, Georgia, Belle, Beau, Draper and Savannah. All of her kids were present, except for Nolan, who was in Texas. “Your dad wishes he could be here tonight. Savannah and Chaz, he specifically asked me to reiterate that he is looking forward to spending time with you in a few days when he gets home. This merger he’s working on has taken a lot out of him. That and the Charlotte Robinson incidents have him so stressed out, he’s wound tighter than a clock.”
“He shouldn’t worry so much.” Savannah said, as she pushed a bite of roast chicken into her peas, sending them tumbling into the untouched mountain of mashed potatoes. “He especially shouldn’t worry about the wedding. It will be fine.”
“I’m sure it will be beautiful,” Sarah said. “I hope Gerald and Deborah will share photos.”
“Why photos?” Savannah asked. “You’re going, aren’t you?”
Austin tried to catch his sister’s eye, but she was transfixed on their mother. He wanted to kick himself for not preparing his sister for this when she came over that afternoon.
Sarah shook her head. “Your father is adamantly opposed to our attending the wedding. Because of everything that’s happened, it’s just not safe. We decided this at last week’s family dinner. I suppose I should’ve told you sooner, but I knew you were coming for a visit and I thought I’d tell you in person.”
Savannah and Chaz exchanged a look.
“What?” asked Sarah. “What was that look about?”
Savannah cleared her throat. “Chaz and I have already RSVP’d that we will be there. It would be rude to back out this close to the wedding, since it’s only a month away.”
Sarah frowned. “It’s six weeks away. There’s still plenty of time to send your regrets if you do it soon.”
Savannah’s mouth pinched into a pucker, a sure sign she was about to deliver news that wouldn’t please their mother. “I understand your concern, but if I can live through my apartment being vandalized and still feel brave enough to go, I’d hope my immediate family could be courageous enough to come with me and support our extended family.”
