look at you, all grown up and beautiful.”
Was that a scowl on Ryan’s face? Betsy simply laughed. All her brother’s friends had been blessed with an abundance of charm.
“Congratulations on marrying Margaret Fisher,” Betsy said. “I knew her younger sister better than I did her, but Margaret was always nice to me when I stopped over.”
“I’m a lucky man.” The look on Cole’s face told her he meant every word.
“She might not remember me, but be sure and tell her I said hello.”
“Oh, she’ll remember,” Cole said gallantly. His gaze shifted from Ryan to her, then back to Ryan again. “Are you … dating?”
“Goodness, no.” Betsy spoke quickly before Ryan had a chance to respond. Or heaven forbid, laugh. “I’m interviewing to be his legal assistant.”
Cole shifted his gaze to Ryan. “What happened to Caroline?”
“Her husband got a promotion. They’re leaving for Texas tomorrow.”
“Good for them,” Cole said pointedly. “Bad for you.”
“I was bummed.” Ryan shifted his gaze to her and smiled. “Until I received Betsy’s application.”
Was he saying … Betsy’s fingers stole to the medallion in her pocket.
Ryan saw the look of bald hope on her face. “The position is yours. If you want it.”
“Just like that?” Betsy’s voice shook with emotion. And were those tears in her eyes? “Aren’t you even going to check my references?”
She was a funny sort, all wide-eyed and serious. Ryan had never realized what pretty eyes she had, large and a curious shade of blue with specks of gold. Until she’d stumbled earlier and he’d pulled her close, he’d never realized she had such delectable curves either.
Of course, to him she’d always be Keenan’s little sister. The one who’d toddled after them and messed up their toy soldiers. The one who’d bravely stood up to those bullies who’d taunted her, asking if she was a whore and a drunk like her mother.
He leaned forward resting his arms on the table. “Just tell me you don’t have any deep dark secrets and we’re good.”
“Nope.” She shot him a blinding smile. “What you see is what you get.”
Beside him, Cole started to chuckle. Ryan kicked him before Betsy noticed.
What you see is what you get?
Ryan knew Cole’s mind had gone totally in the wrong direction. Betsy was his new legal assistant, not a potential lover. And perhaps, a friend. A guy couldn’t have too many friends.
He smiled and nodded. Yep, from what he’d seen so far, Betsy was the type of woman who’d make a great buddy.
Chapter Two
When Friday night rolled around, Ryan already had his evening planned. Meet some friends at Wally’s Place, toss back a few cold ones and play a game or two of darts. Then he overheard Betsy talking on the phone to Adrianna and learned there was a party at Michelle Kerns’s house that evening.
Ryan knew the young ob-gyn but not well enough to merit an invitation to her home. When he heard Adrianna was going to be there, his plans for the evening did a one-eighty. Somehow, someway, he would attend that party.
He made a few calls and within a matter of minutes, Mitzi Sanchez reluctantly agreed he could go with her. Mitzi was an orthopedic surgeon he’d dated a few times. As much as he enjoyed the feisty Latina’s company, the chemistry wasn’t there. Now they were simply good friends. Okay, that might be stretching it a bit.
Still, they were good-enough friends that he could tag along with her. Mitzi had made it clear that once they got to the party, he was on his own.
“Would you quit primping?” Mitzi said in a disgusted tone as they made their way up the walk to Michelle’s townhome. “I swear you’re worse than any girl.”
He finished adjusting the cuffs of his sweater. “I love you, too.”
She made a retching noise and rolled her eyes.
“Seriously, thanks for making me your plus-one tonight.” He glanced down at his black jeans and cowboy boots. While the sweater under his jacket dressed up his party attire, he hoped he hadn’t gone too casual. Adrianna was a hard woman to impress, and he’d already blown several opportunities.
“You’re not my plus-one,” she said. “You’re some guy I’m dragging along because I didn’t have the sense to say no.”
That’s what Ryan liked about Mitzi. She told it as she saw it. It was a shame there was no chemistry between them, because not only was she a beautiful woman, she could also sing karaoke like a pro.
“I don’t know you,” he said as they reached the stoop. “Once you get me through the front door, that is.”
“You’ll owe me, Harcourt.” She brushed back a strand of brown hair that looked as if it had been streaked with peanut butter. Although part Argentinean and part Mexican, with her light hair and blue eyes Mitzi looked more Irish than Latina.
“The first time you get slapped with a malpractice suit, I’m your man.”
“What a pleasant thought.” She reached out to press the doorbell, but he gently pushed her arm down.
“Allow me.”
“Such a gentleman,” came the sarcastic reply.
“I aim to please,” he said just as the door opened.
Before she could object, Ryan placed an arm loosely around her shoulders. He half expected Mitzi to shrug it off or punch him in the side. Instead she gave a long-suffering sigh. “Michelle, I believe you know Ryan Harcourt.”
“Of course.” The hostess clasped his hand firmly in greeting. She was tall, with honey-colored hair and big blue eyes. “Welcome. We have wine and beer and snacks. Help yourself to whatever you want.”
Ryan wondered if that meant he could help himself to Adrianna.
He felt Mitzi’s eyes on him as he placed his coat in Michelle’s outstretched hand. For an uncanny moment he had the feeling he could read her mind.
“The answer is no,” Mitzi said as the hostess stepped away, leaving them alone.
“You don’t even know the question,” he protested.
“I have my suspicions.”
“Ryan,” a familiar voice behind him gasped. “Why didn’t you mention you were coming tonight?”
He turned to see Betsy standing in the hallway near what was obviously the kitchen, holding a glass of white wine. Like the
