up in an hour."
"Whoa, wait. I told Vicki tonight just wasn't good for me. I was booked solid today, and still have about another hour before - "
"You've got to eat, right? And if you've been working all day you deserve to play. Come play with me."
"That's sweet, but - "
"Don't make me go to the party by myself. We'll swing by, have a drink, a couple laughs, leave whenever you want. Don't break my heart, Emma."
She cast her eyes up to the ceiling and saw her early night go up in smoke. "I can't make dinner, but I could meet you there around eight."
"I can pick you up at eight."
Then angle to come in when you bring me home, she thought. And that's not happening. "I'll meet you. That way if I need to go and you're having fun, you can stay."
"If that's the best I can get, I'll take it. I'll see you there."
CHAPTER TWO
SHE LIKED PARTIES, EMMA REMINDED HERSELF. SHE LIKED people and conversation. She enjoyed picking the right outfit, doing her makeup, fussing with her hair. She was a girl.
She liked Adam and Vicki - and had, in fact, introduced them four years ago when it had become clear she and Adam made better friends than lovers.
Vows had done their wedding.
She liked Sam, she thought with a sigh as she pulled up in front of the contemporary two-story, then flipped down her visor mirror to check her makeup.
She enjoyed going out with Sam - to dinner, to a party, to a concert. The problem was the spark-o-meter. When she'd met him, he'd hit a solid seven, with upward potential. In addition, she'd found him smart and funny, appreciated his smooth good looks. But the first-date kiss had dropped to a measly two on the spark-o-meter.
Not his fault, she admitted as she got out of the car. It just wasn't there. She'd given it a shot. A few more kisses - kissing was one of her favorite things. But they'd never risen over the two - and that was being generous.
It wasn't easy to tell a man you had no intention of sleeping with him. Feelings and egos were at stake. But she'd done it. The problem, as she saw it, was he didn't really believe her. Maybe she'd find someone to introduce him to at the party.
She stepped inside, into the music, the voices, the lights - and felt an immediate lift of mood. She really did like parties.
After one quick scan, she saw a dozen people she knew.
She kissed cheeks, exchanged hugs, and kept moving in a search for her host and hostess. When she spotted a distant cousin by marriage she shot out a wave. Addison, she mused, and signaled that she'd be back around to say hi. Single, fun loving, stunning. Yes, she could see Addison and Sam hitting it off. She'd make sure she introduced them.
She found Vicki in the kitchen area of the generous great room, talking to friends while she refreshed a tray of party food.
"Emma! I didn't think you were going to make it."
"It's going to be practically a hit-and-run. You look great."
"So do you. Oh, thank you!" She took the bouquet of candy-striped tulips Emma offered. "They're beautiful."
"I'm in a 'Damn it, it's spring' frame of mind. These said I'm right. Can I give you a hand?"
"Absolutely not. Let me get you a glass of wine."
"Half a glass. I'm driving, and I really can't stay very long."
"Half a glass of cab." Vicki laid the flowers on the counter to free her hands. "Did you come alone?"
"Actually, I'm sort of meeting Sam."
"Oh," Vicki said, drawing out the syllable.
"Not really, no."
"Oh."
"Listen. Here, let me do that," she said when Vicki got out a vase for the flowers. Lowering her voice, Emma continued as she dealt with the flowers. "What do you think about Addison and Sam?"
"Are they an item? I didn't realize - "
"No. I was just speculating. I think they'd like each other."
"Sure. I suppose. You look so good together. You and Sam."
Emma made a noncommittal sound. "Where's Adam? I didn't see him in the mob."
"Probably out on the deck having a beer with Jack."
"Jack's here?" Emma kept her hands busy and her tone casual. "I'll have to say hi."
"They were talking baseball, last I heard. You know how they are."
She knew exactly. She'd known Jack Cooke for over a decade, since he and Parker's brother, Delaney, had roomed together at Yale. And Jack had spent a lot