slowed as drivers rubbernecked the fender bender that had brought the cops out, but once past the scene, traffic quickly resumed speed. As John covered the final miles to his sister’s place, he thought about his cousin and the girl he was bringing to the party tonight. He was glad the elusive Claudia had finally said yes to Phil, who had not had good luck with women.
In fact, since Emily had broken their engagement—jeez, was it already three years since she’d taken that job in London?—Phil hadn’t been seriously interested in anyone. John had begun to think he’d never get over Emily, so when he’d started talking about how much he liked this new prof they’d hired, John had been happy for his cousin and had hoped the girl would like Phil, too.
Funny how a guy could go along for years never meeting anyone who interested him, then wham, along came the perfect girl. John grimaced. He’d met the perfect girl, too. In fact, meeting her had been the catalyst that had finally forced him to face and do something about the situation with Allison. Unfortunately, he’d made a major mistake in not finding out who the girl was and how to get in touch with her.
Instead, he’d given her one of his business cards, hoping she’d call him. And she hadn’t. He was still kicking himself for goofing up so badly, because although their meeting had been brief, John knew he wasn’t likely to meet anyone even remotely like her again.
Nope. Opportunity had knocked and he hadn’t answered. He wouldn’t get a second chance.
Claudia couldn’t decide what to wear. Why hadn’t she asked Philip if the party was casual or dressy? She wondered if she should try to call him and find out.
Finally she settled on an outfit that could go either way—a long, black jersey skirt with a slit up the back, black chunky mules and a black tank top. Around her neck she looped a long gray, fringed scarf. Digging around in her jewelry box, she found some black hoop earrings. Four black and silver bracelets came next. Claudia was from the school of thought that believed if one bracelet was good, four was better.
Looking at her unpainted nails, she wished she’d taken the time to get a manicure, but it was too late now. She would have to do in her unvarnished state.
Her doorbell rang at precisely seven. She smiled. She had known Philip would be punctual. All she’d had to do was take one look at his neat, everything-in-its-place office to know he believed in order. Most of the time, Claudia did, too, so that was fine.
She opened the door. “Hi.”
“Hi.” His gaze took her in. “Wow. You look great.”
“Thanks.” He was his usual well-dressed self in neat khakis, a dark blue knit shirt and shiny brown loafers. Claudia grabbed her sack purse from the little table next to the door. “I’m ready.”
As they walked down the path to the visitor parking lot, Philip said, “This is a nice area.”
“Yes, I think so.”
“The rent must be high, though.”
Claudia wasn’t renting. She’d bought her condo, but she knew if she said so, he’d wonder how she could afford it. She thought fast. “Actually, my grandmother left me a little money, and I figured real estate would give me a better return than the stock market.”
“That was very smart.”
“I can’t take all the credit. My brother helped me come to that decision.”
“Older brother?”
“Yes.”
“So you have a brother? Are there just the two of you?”
“Um, no. I, uh, have two older sisters.” By now they were underway, heading east on Potomac toward Westheimer.
“You’re lucky. I’m an only. But I told you that the other night, didn’t I?”
There had been times Claudia had wished she were an only child, too. But now she knew Philip was right. She was lucky. Especially since her siblings were all people she would choose as friends if they weren’t related to her. Her parents were a different story.
“I guess that’s why I’ve been so close to Jen and John,” Philip continued. “Or maybe it’s because we’re double cousins.”
“Double cousins?”
“Yeah. My mother is John’s father’s sister. And his mother is my father’s sister.”
“Really? Who married first?”
“John’s mom—my aunt Linda—and his dad Lou got married first. Then my dad met my uncle Lou’s sister Margie—my mom—and two years later they got married. John is two years older than me.”
“So I guess your two families get along really well.”
“Best friends all around.” He smiled. “I’ve never heard one cross word between them.”
“Now you’re the lucky one.”
“Oh? Your family doesn’t get along?”
Claudia shrugged. She didn’t want to get into her family’s dynamics. Couldn’t if she hoped to keep the Hathaway Baking connection a secret. “It’s just normal stuff. Dad drinks too much. Mom is controlling. That kind of thing.”
Philip obviously sensed her reluctance to say more for soon after he changed the subject. They were deep into the respective talents of Sheryl Crow versus Shania Twain when Philip pulled up in front of a small bungalow in an area he identified as the outskirts of River Oaks. “I don’t know if you know anything about River Oaks?”
“Just that it’s a really high-rent district.”
“Yeah, it is. Jen doesn’t own this place, though. She and a girlfriend—a co-worker, actually—rent the house.”
There were already a dozen or more cars parked along the street. Philip pulled into the driveway, saying, “Family has its privileges.”
“Will your parents be here tonight?”
“No. We’re doing the family thing tomorrow at Jen’s parents’ house. Tomorrow is actually her birthday.”
“So both families live here in Houston?”
“Yep. Native Houstonians all.”
As they walked up onto the small front stoop, Claudia could hear laughter and music inside. Philip rang the doorbell, then without waiting for someone to answer, opened the door and gestured her inside.
A pretty dark-haired young woman in a red sundress that showed off a golden tan walked toward them. She smiled at Philip. “Hey, cuz, you made it.”
“Happy birthday, Jen.” Philip leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Thanks.” Her dark-eyed gaze moved curiously to Claudia. “Hi. I’m Jennifer, Philip’s cousin.” She extended her hand.
“Hi, Jennifer. I’m Claudia. Claudia Hathaway.” They shook hands.
“I’m
