In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) - Jennifer Peel Page 0,42

I could think of to say. Normally, I would have tried to be witty and charming, or at least match his playfulness, but it had never gotten me anywhere, and I was tired.

“Dani.” Brock tipped my chin with his finger. “Can we please hit the reset button? I’m sorry,” he whispered.

I didn’t get a chance to answer, which was a good thing. His sincerity would be my undoing if I wasn’t careful.

Sheridan and John approached us.

“Dani,” Sheridan sang with open arms. “You are simply a vision.” She wrapped me up, even though she was shorter than me.

I took a moment to soak in the comfort she provided, as guilty as it made me feel. “Thank you. You look beautiful.” And she did. Her floor-length azure chiffon-and-lace dress was elegant. She was a classic beauty who I swore would never age.

Sheridan waved me off. “I’m feeling older every day.”

“Nonsense,” John disagreed. “You are more beautiful than the day we met.”

I believed he meant that. He was such a confusing man.

John’s eyes darted between me and Brock. “We are the luckiest men in this room.”

“Absolutely,” Brock agreed.

Odd, I didn’t believe Brock as much as his father at this moment. But oh, how I wanted to.

“Listen to these men.” Sheridan gave me a big toothy grin. “Such charmers they are.”

“Yes.” I returned her smile, playing my part.

Sheridan strung her arm through mine. “I’m going to steal you away for a while. There are some people I would like you to meet.” She faced Brock. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I will be anxiously waiting for your return,” he addressed me.

I gave him a nod before I was off with my mother-in-law. The room was becoming more and more crowded, which was saying something for how large it was. I swore they’d hired a philharmonic orchestra to play. Classical tunes filled the air as the elite and wealthy mingled. Many sitting senators and representatives were among them, along with their security, who discreetly watched their every move.

Brant and Jill were at the center of it all. I wished I could say the happy couple, but Brant, while smiling, had an air of stoicism around him. Jill, on the other hand, gripped Brant’s arm so tight she was in danger of breaking a nail. And not to be catty, but the poor thing had gone overboard on her ensemble. Her strappy silver dress looked like an ill-fitting disco ball. And her hair had been so teased, it could probably hide a small mammal.

Sheridan leaned in closer, noticing where my gaze had drifted off to, and whispered, “I hate to be critical of anyone, especially future family, but Jill was either ill-advised or she has bigger problems than I feared.”

My brow arched. “What problems?”

“Keep walking,” she said, as quiet as a mouse. “It will make our conversation look natural and not draw any attention. Remember that. This town has eyes and ears everywhere.”

A shiver went through me—and not the good kind.

“Take heart, darling, you’re a tough cookie. You can handle this,” Sheridan tried to put me at ease.

I nodded, though I didn’t feel all that confident.

Sheridan smiled and waved at people as we did a turn about the room. “Jill’s family is rooted in politics and old money. The kind of money that can buy anything or anyone.”

I wanted to say, “The kind your husband has,” but I kept my mouth shut because I was hoping I could finally make sense of why Brant was marrying Jill.

“I told John not to befriend Edward Copeland, but sometimes it’s the price you have to pay in Washington. Unfortunately, a woman or man who has the ear of any president is dangerous.”

“How so?”

“Because that privilege has a cost, and sometimes it’s a heavy one.”

My heart dropped. “Brant?”

Sheridan gave me a sad smile. “I’m afraid so. I know John says Jill is Brant’s choice, but I look at them and I can tell he doesn’t love her. He doesn’t have the love that exists between you and Brock.”

I could feel my skin break out in red blotches. I felt awful for deceiving her. I so badly wanted to tell her the truth about Brock and me. About John. Her evil husband who threatened me and obviously used his son as some bargaining chip. I held my stomach and kept my mouth shut. I berated myself, wondering if I was any better of a person than John, keeping lies the way I was. Even if it was for a