She’d turned unexpectedly, colliding into him. They stood there for a moment, appraising each other. Eliza broke eye contact and glanced at the ceiling. She’d mumbled something under her breath and he’d looked up. God bless mistletoe. He placed a hand on the side of her face and fanned his fingers to the back of her neck. He remembered the need to kiss her slowly.
So much for that plan.
Just as he leaned in to taste, one of the party guests called his name from across the room. Eliza jumped back and out of his arms.
Neither of them ever spoke of it. In fact, they went on as if it had never happened.
He supposed it was because both of them were such good friends with Sam and Blake that neither of them wanted to screw that up.
Carter went on to date, or at least be seen with other women, and Eliza did whatever she did for the company she and Samantha ran.
“So what do you think?” Eliza was talking to him, but he didn’t have a clue about what.
“Excuse me?”
“The house?”
“What?”
You’ve not heard a word I’ve said.”
“No, no you told me about the room we’ll be in, about the balcony.”
She perched her hands on her hips and offered a haughty look. “I went over that fifteen minutes ago. I don’t know why I bother,” she said turning away.
“I’m distracted,” he admitted. “Lot of things on my mind.”
“I have better things to do with my day, too. Tell you what, why don’t you just tell Neil you approve, and we’ll be on our way.”
Carter smirked. “Trying to get rid of me?”
Her eyes shot to his faster than lightning strikes a stormy sky. “Wanting you gone would imply I care that you’re here.”
She was trying hard to keep a disinterested look on her face, but she started to nibble on her fingernail and broke eye contact. You care. You might not want to, but you do.
“Ouch.”
She glanced at her fingernails and fisted her palms. “Oh, forget it. Let’s get out of here before I melt.”
“Sounds good.” Because standing here fantasizing about her wasn’t doing anyone any good. Besides, last time Carter checked, he had a date for this wedding and it wasn’t with the woman in front of him.
Eliza strolled off and followed way behind. He really should be thinking about the Texas millionaires attending this “renewal of vows” ceremony and not about the maid of honor.
“I’ve thought of everything, Neil. You can tell my brother he’s perfectly safe and the only media pictures being taken will be from the one reporter he’s invited to attend.” Gwen waved Carter’s way. “Be a love and appease him, will you?”
Carter eyed Neil and shrugged.
“Thank you again for your time, Mrs. Hawthorn. We’ll see you in a few days.”
Mrs. Hawthorn allowed Gwen to kiss both her cheeks and waved as the two other women climbed into the car. “Have fun, girls.”
Carter stood beside Neil and Mrs. Hawthorn while Eliza and Gwen drove away.
Eliza didn’t even glance in her rearview mirror as she drove away.
“They were in a hurry to leave,” Neil announced.
“I noticed that, too.”
Mrs. Hawthorn placed a hand on one hip. “Wedding planning isn’t easy. They’ve been working hard. It’s a good thing they can get away for a night of fun before the festivities.”
“Night of fun?” Neil asked.
Carter followed the dust down the road.
“According to Billy, Eliza asked about a local watering hole where the two of them could kick back and relax for a few hours. Dance a little and blow off some steam.”
Carter rolled his eyes. “Watering hole?”
“I can’t see Miss Gwen in a Texas bar,” Neil exclaimed.
Eliza maybe, but Gwen? “Looks like you’re not flying home tonight,” Carter told Neil. Passing up the opportunity of spying on Eliza and Gwen was out of the question.
Chapter Two
The hotel gift shop provided the perfect pair of skin-tight jeans, cowboy boots, and cowgirl hats. Gwen wasn’t about to go into a Texas bar dressed as the daughter of a duke. Unlike shopping for the yellow bridesmaid dresses, Eliza actually enjoyed their brief walk on the country side of the store.
Loud music with just the right amount of twang, and lyrics about lost love filled the bar. Several couples crowded the dance floor. Their bodies were glued together and moved as if they were one unit.
Eliza took the lead and walked through the crowd to a couple of empty seats at the bar. The two of them turned a few heads and received a couple of smiles before they sat down.
“I can’t believe how crowded it is,” Gwen said over the noise.
“Makes it more interesting,” Eliza told her.
The bartender placed a couple of napkins in front of them. “Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat.
She lifted up two fingers. “Two beers.”
Gwen scoffed. “But—”
“You can’t drink wine in a beer bar, Gwen.” Eliza knew where her friend was going with her haughty but. Surprisingly Gwen didn’t argue.
Gwen folded her hands in her lap on top of her purse. She sat rod straight with her big doe eyes wide open. Her fingers tapped to the music and a smile played on her lips. What did Gwen see? For her, this night was about adventure and overcoming some of her social fears. Sure, there were people dancing and having a good time. From the looks of the crowd, there wasn’t anyone completely wasted, yet. Beer drinkers tended to get rowdy later in the evening.