His Off Limits Best Friend - Vivian Wood Page 0,15

the fiancée we’ve heard so much about?” Connor couldn’t recall everyone’s names, but it didn’t matter.

“Yes, this is Sam,” he said, and she turned into the ultimate socialite. Sam moved from group to group with ease. She passed out genuine compliments to the women, remembered details when they ran into them again hours later, and even managed to hold the men’s attention without flirtations. Everyone was hooked.

Connor watched her work the crowd, impressed by how she always managed to shine while she still made sure he was at the center of it all. He’d known some women like this, which included his mom years ago in her prime. Only so much of it could be taught. Like grace, it was largely natural.

Whoever I end up with, however many years from now, will have to be elegant like Sam, he thought to himself as he watched her lightly touch the arm of a trustee and laugh.

“Champagne?” he asked her.

“Yes, honey, thank you,” she said.

However, when he returned with the glass, she was alone for the first time that night. He handed her the flute, but she put it aside, disgusted. “What, no alcohol tonight?” he asked.

She turned red. “I’d rather not get myself into trouble, if that’s okay,” she said.

He was confused. Since when did she not drink at all? “Okay, if that’s what you want. You’ll need to at least have sparkling cider in a flute though. There are my parents,” he said. “At five o’clock. Don’t look.”

“Connor, you’re being ridiculous,” she said.

She didn’t even have a chance to turn around before his mom spotted them. From across the room, he saw his mom latch onto his dad’s arm as she started to drag him toward them. “And, action,” Connor whispered to Sam.

“Hello, sweetheart,” his mom said. She pulled Sam to her and kissed both cheeks. “Don’t you look lovely! This color really suits you. And Connor, of course, handsome as always.”

“Thanks, mom,” he said.

“Making good contacts?” his father asked gruffly. “I saw you with the Hoskings earlier. They seemed quite taken by your fiancée here,” he said.

“Yes, I think the evening is quite successful,” Connor said.

“And Sam, you’re not drinking, I see,” he said. “Just be careful, before the wedding and all.”

“What do you mean by that?” Connor asked.

“Well, you’re obviously trying to conceive. Which is fantastic, but we don’t need any gossiping about a shotgun wedding—”

“What the hell is your problem?” Connor growled at his father, who looked around the vicinity and raised his brows in a warning.

“It’s okay,” she said. “Your father’s right. Don’t worry, sir. I’m just detoxing and cleansing my body for now. Children aren’t in the plan until after the wedding.”

Connor’s mouth ached from gritting his teeth, and his father somehow continued to egg him on without saying a word.

“Hey,” Sam said. She touched his shoulder lightly, just enough to distract him. “How about the cider you promised me?” When he looked at her, he couldn’t help but notice the swell of her breasts beneath that tight satin gown. Sam followed his gaze and turned a bright red. Her embarrassment sobered him up instantly.

“Right,” he said. “Why don’t you accompany me? Mom, Father, we’re off to mingle more,” he said. Connor took her hand and led her away.

“Do you mind if we step outside a moment?” he asked. “I could use some fresh air.”

She shrugged. “It’s your dime.”

“I want to apologize for that,” he said.

“You don’t have to apologize for anything. Honestly, your dad’s not that out there, you know? I’ve experienced worse.”

“I meant I wanted to apologize for my behavior,” he said cautiously.

“What do you mean?”

“I just—I don’t know. Being around my parents, it just enrages me somehow. They’re the only people who can unnerve me like that. I feel like I’m this perpetually angsty teenager around them. I can’t shake it.”

“That’s normal,” she said gently. “Only our parents can drive us crazy like that. Well, and love. Or so I’ve heard.”

“I just want you to know, that I understand you’re a paid contractor. If the tables were reversed… I don’t know. I wouldn’t like being put in that kind of situation.”

She sighed. “It’s not exactly the most normal job I’ve ever had. And honestly, getting this personal with the people in your life, it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.”

“It won’t happen again,” he promised. “I guarantee it. I want you to be as comfortable as possible, and if that means exerting more control over my family, that’s what