Summer's End (Wildflowers #5) - Jill Sanders Page 0,53
a fingertip over it. “You can take the girl out of Vegas…”
Aubrey laughed and he lost his breath at seeing her cut loose for the first time in days.
“God, you’re beautiful when you do that,” he said a little breathlessly.
Her eyebrows shot up. “What? Laugh?”
He nodded and moved a little closer to her. “When your smile reaches your eyes, it’s the sexiest thing ever.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Just how long do we have to stay here anyway?” he asked, causing her to laugh again.
“What is it you said you do?” They both turned as Bridgett approached them, a flute of champagne in her hand as she practically dragged Harold towards them.
Aiden’s eyebrows shot up, then he glanced at Aubrey, who quickly jumped in.
“Aiden owns his own architecture firm,” she answered easily.
It was close to the truth, but he would have described his business as a construction firm instead of an architectural firm. He decided to keep his mouth shut all the same.
“Oh?” Bridgett dropped her hold on Harold, who swayed slightly. Aiden frowned down at the older man. His color was off, and he didn’t seem focused like he’d been earlier.
He’d seen the man’s eyes fog over when he’d confused Aubrey with her mother earlier that day. He wondered how many other episodes the man was having and made a mental note to watch him more carefully.
The entire time Bridgett and Aubrey talked, he watched her father, who looked confused and out of touch. When Bridgett was done trying to belittle Aubrey, she turned around and grabbed Harold’s arm and dragged him on to the next group of people to talk.
“Is that normal?” he asked again.
“Hm?” He could see that Aubrey was flushed and slightly annoyed at the conversation she’d had with Bridgett. He hadn’t paid too much attention to what had been said because he’d been afraid that Harold was going to fall over at any moment.
“Your father.” He motioned to the man, who was standing next to Bridgett, staring off into space as if he was drugged.
Aubrey’s eyes followed his and she frowned. “No.” She surprised him by pulling out her phone and stepping towards a set of glass doors.
He followed her out onto a balcony filled with potted plants and a large iron bench.
Aubrey sat down and held the phone up to her ear.
“Hi, Dr. Williams, it’s Aubrey Smith.” She waited as he sat next to her.
Thankfully, the small patio was covered since it was still raining outside.
“Yes, I’m back in town,” Aubrey continued. “I was wondering. When was the last time my father came in for a physical?” She glanced towards the doors, and her eyes zoned in on her father. “That long?” She frowned. “Yes, I would appreciate it. Tonight, if possible. I’m here at the house for a party he’s holding…” She stopped talking and her eyes narrowed. “Yes, I agree. I’ll make sure we wait around to greet you. Thank you,” she said before hanging up.
“So?” he asked, guessing most of what had gone on.
“Dr. Williams has been my father’s best friend and doctor for most of his life. He’s a few months older than my father. The last time he saw my father was a little over a year ago. Shortly after Bridgett appeared in my dad’s life.” She leaned back in the bench. “He’s heading over here now. Whatever happens, we need to stick around until then to ensure that he’s gained access to the party.” She turned to him. “Dr. Williams said that for as long as he’s known my father, he’s never thrown a party and that it didn’t sound like him. Of course, he’d hosted dinners with potential clients, but parties?” She shook her head. “Never. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that this is his engagement party to a woman less than half his age.” She sighed and lifted her hand to rub her forehead.
“Headache?” he asked.
“Too much champagne.” She sighed. “I need something solid. It should be time for dinner soon.” She stood up suddenly.
He stood and stopped her from returning inside. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. Even though I had never met the man before today, something is definitely off about his physical appearance. He seems… drugged.”
“Do you think…” she started, but then the patio door opened, and a couple came out and lit up cigarettes, forcing them back inside.
When they entered, she motioned towards Bridgett. “Do you think she has anything to do with this?”