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Mr. Vance’s eyes widen with his smile. “Arabian males are funny creatures, aren’t they?”
“Oh, he was such a ham. Loved prancing around and showing off for people.”
We share an easy laugh, and my too tense shoulders relax for the first time since we sat down.
“You don’t show anymore?” Mrs. Vance asks.
I lean back with a somber smile. “After Tux broke his leg, we were forced to put him down, and my stepfather said the sport wasn’t worth the trouble of training another horse.”
There’s no heat in the touch when Damon wraps his hand around my knee again, but there is a comfort I didn’t know I needed.
“I’m sorry to hear about that,” he says sincerely, and the satisfaction I got from stroking his ego dims.
Mother didn’t teach me what to do when they’re genuine.
“Thank you, Mr. Vance.”
He raps the table with his knuckles. “No, Kate. Thank you.” To Vedant and Shaylea, he says, “And thank you all for joining us this evening. It’s truly an honor to have such a strong group of engineers and developers working for this company.”
His face softens when he offers me a smile.
Andthatbrings the score of how quickly I judge men to two to nothing, with Damon in the lead.
When we move to gather around Patrick, Shaylea unsurprisingly steps away, whipping out her phone and tapping at the screen.
Mr. Vance turns to me. “If it’s alright with you, Kate, I’d like to borrow your date for a few minutes.”
At Damon’s smooth wink, I want to jump up and down, spraying champagne around the room for our victory.
Without hesitation, I say, “Of course, Mr. Vance. He’s all yours.”
The older man takes my hand before placing a light kiss to my knuckles. “Please, call me Patrick.”
My phone buzzes in my handbag, startling me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Let me step out to take this.”
I mouth, “Good luck” to Damon before hurrying out the door onto the deck.
Digging in my clutch for my phone, I search the boat for some privacy.
This yacht is ginormous, but I discover a narrow walkway just outside the dining and living area that leads toward the back. I use my phone’s flashlight as a guide to maneuver around and down a flight of stairs before finally making it to the lower deck.
I step beside a built-in leather couch which makes a semicircle around a small table. With my heels clicking on the wooden floor and a gust quietly ruffling my cape, I take up a spot against the railing and unlock my phone.
I open several missed messages from Coraline.
Are you ignoring me?
I swear if you boned Hot IT Guy and you didn’t tell me, I’m gonna strangle you.
My smile fades when I read the next two messages.
Nancy just called me wondering when you are coming back… I panicked and hung up on her!
Kate?
I can’t believe my mother. Every time I start to feel even the slightest sense of freedom, she or Thad come crashing through the rose-colored glass, reminding me that my time in Topica Bay is only temporary.
I dial Coraline as anxiety thunders through me.
