AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m here to help you with your social calendar.”
My lips twitch. Pete might work for Rampwood & Stein, but he works just as hard as I do.
“You’re taking me to your sports bar to hang out with your college buddy?”
“Uh, no. I don’t think your bodyguard would approve. I’m taking you to a party at Haven Publishing.”
I study him carefully. “You’re a sports lawyer. How did you score an invite to a Haven Publishing party?”
We Rampwoods might be big names in Seattle, but the Westerhavens are big names in America. I didn’t know Pete ran in those circles.
“They’re publishing Juan Romero’s memoir.” Pete shrugs, turning to the waitress with a smile as he orders. Ah, the Seahawks running back that he represents. I mean, a book party? I’m not about to turn that down.
“I’m game.”
“Good. We’ll take your car.”
“We’ll have to. I’m not allowed to ride in anything else.”
“I think Uncle Leon would let you ride in my car.”
I don’t think Dad would. I tip my head noncommittally, ignoring Pete as he flips me off and Aunt Laura remonstrating him as I place my order. Uncle Ken orders the wine pairings, so I don’t have to worry about that. I love the food here, and they do surprise courses. Those are my favorites.
Uncle Ken and Aunt Laura grill me about work, my life, and the police case. Pete mainly gets hilarious jibes in while they ignore him, and I make faces in his direction. Uncle Ken and Aunt Laura mean well, but I know they will report back to Mom and Dad, so I keep my answers as vague as possible.
We are finishing dessert when Uncle Ken asks the question that none of them can resist whenever we’re in a room together.
“So, Thelma. Has all this threat business made you rethink your career choice? So far, Rampwood & Stein have yet to have threats made against staff members.”
Pete catches the look on my face, dropping his spoon and standing.
“I think that’s our cue. Thanks for dinner, Dad. Mom. We’d better catch this party before it’s too late for me to make an appearance respectably.”
I stand as well, and Aunt Laura shoots Uncle Ken a look, but he doesn’t seem apologetic. Instead, he smiles, rising to kiss me again, clapping Pete on the shoulder, and waving us off.
Grady shadows us through the restaurant, holding open the door as Pete and I slide into the backseat. As we pull into traffic, heading for the Haven Publishing offices downtown, Pete sighs, squeezing my hand.
“They mean well.”
“They all need to back off and stop asking,” I mutter, glaring out the window. Pete chuckles, patting the top of my hand as he releases it.
“That’s never going to happen. Pick another dream.”
I roll my eyes, but I know it’s true. I need to stop letting it get to me. It’s harmless. It might be grudging, but they always accept my declining their offers. It’s not like they’d force my hand or something.
The car pulls up, and Grady shadows us inside again. I don’t think I will ever get used to being followed by a living, breathing shadow. It’s unsettling and so annoying. I used to roll my eyes when Amber would complain at college. I need to send her some apology flowers. I totally get it now.
“I’ll stay near the elevators,” Grady informs me. “Don’t leave this floor, and I’ll be here when you’re ready to leave.”
Of course he feels comfortable letting me roam here. Beau Westerhaven is standing in the middle of the room. We had to walk through security and a metal detector to get in here. A Westerhaven isn’t going to take chances with their safety at a high-profile event like this. I’ll be fine.
Pete waves him off, his hand landing on my upper back as he guides me across the room to the windows. The view across downtown is lovely, the soft rain making all the lights seem shimmery. Pete gets two glasses of champagne from a waitress, handing me one as we look out over the city.
“Don’t you have to go and schmooze with your client?” I drawl, taking a sip, my eyes glued to the line of red taillights below us.
"In a minute. I want to know how you’re holding up.”
The jokey tone from dinner, and even in the town car, is gone. Unlike the twins, who can be annoying cavalier sometimes, Pete and Artie are usually more serious. The joking was to set me at ease. This is the normal Pete, looking out for me, like always. Sometimes it sucks being the only female, Rampwood of the generation. It’s like having four big brothers instead of only one. Pete is the same age as me, but he still makes me feel like the family baby.
