“Chance, you hit a speed bump in life. You came home. You’re starting over again. Give yourself a break. Go after the woman who really interests you.”
Shaking his head, Chance walked away. He maneuvered to a group of three business associates and their wives. From that moment on, he was immersed in conversations about real estate and architecture, water rights and rights-of-way, deeds and agreements, options and speculation. They carried him through the cocktail hour, through dinner and even through half of the dancing in the ballroom that opened out into the gardens. But again, none of the women he met interested him and his gaze kept seeking out Tory. Until he couldn’t find her in the crowd anymore.
He was just about certain she and her parents had gotten bored and left when the people sort of parted and there she was.
She could have been the wife or daughter of one of the wealthy guests who were also his mom’s friends. She stood tall, regal in her shimmering pantsuit, not one iota out of place though all the other women seemed to be wearing shorter skirts.
If Kate was right, if he was starting over, if he did deserve a second chance, then shouldn’t he go after the woman he seemed to want?
Not allowing himself time to think beyond Kate’s encouragement, he ambled over. Coming up behind Tory, he said, “Are you trying to make yourself look interesting and alluring by being different?”
She spun to face him. “Different?”
“Your pants. Everybody else is wearing a dress—”
Her face reddened and he could have kicked himself. Maybe she hadn’t known what to wear? Oh, Lord. He was so out of practice that he’d made a fool of himself and embarrassed Tory.
She cleared her throat. Looking incredibly nervous she said, “I was in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. My leg was shattered. It’s repaired and certainly usable. But it’s—” She caught his gaze and swallowed before she said, “Ugly.”
Well, if this wasn’t the absolute worst flirting failure he’d ever experienced, he didn’t know what was.
“I’m sorry. I…”
She put her hand on his forearm to stop him from going on. “It’s okay. I’m done with surgeries and therapies. I’m fine.”
Just having her hand on his arm sent wonderful sensations careening through him. She was pretty and smart. And she liked him and he liked her, but he was a blathering idiot around her. This was why he shouldn’t have listened to Kate.
He shoved his hands in his trouser pockets, struggling to think of something consoling to say. But he couldn’t think of anything to say that didn’t sound trite.
Besides, he didn’t want to talk about something that depressed her. He liked her. And since he’d already stuck his foot in his mouth, how much worse could he do? They got along fantastically, easily, when the babies were around. They just needed a minute to get comfortable without the twins.
He held out his hand. “Want to dance?”
She glanced around as if she was looking for a way of escape and disappointment squeezed his chest. Surely, he hadn’t misread the way she always looked at him?
He hadn’t. In his gut he knew he hadn’t. He just had to get them comfortable again.
“Please. I shouldn’t have made the comment about the dress. But if it’s any consolation, I think I embarrassed myself more than I did you. Dance with me so I know I’m forgiven.”
She caught his gaze and her lips twitched. “You’re really embarrassed?”
If it would get him a dance and get them out of this conversation… “Yes.”
She took his hand. “Okay.”
* * *
He pulled her into his arms and onto the dance floor and her heart stuttered. Good Lord. It had been so long since she’d been held, felt another person’s body against hers. Her nerves popped. Chills crawled up her spine. She shivered.
“Cold?”
“No!” Oh, Lord. Please do not let him think she was cold! If he pulled her closer for body heat she might melt into a puddle of neediness. She was a normal person, and it had been far too long since she’d had this kind of contact.
But it was only a dance. She wasn’t doing anything wrong and neither was he. He was her boss. He was being friendly. She was reciprocating.
And that’s how she wanted to keep it.
She sucked in a breath. “I like your mom’s house.”
He laughed. “She does too. But I wouldn’t want to have her upkeep bill.”
She smiled. “She does like things just so.”