No Matter What (The Billionaires of Sawgrass #4) - Delaney Cameron Page 0,33
“Is that necessary?”
She squeezed his fingers. “You know it is. Reece isn’t a random stranger. He’s your stepbrother. While you’re taking care of that, I’ll run to the ladies’ room.”
Wade leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Hurry back. There’s some people I want you to meet.”
As she made her way out of the ballroom, Robin couldn’t stop thinking about Wade’s odd behavior. He’d never shown the slightest hint of jealousy before. The fact that it had been directed at Reece was odder still. And what was with his remark about how she and Reece had looked at each other?
Her thoughts were temporarily diverted by the amenities of the powder room. A smile formed on her lips as she took in the black and gold fittings, gilded mirrors, chandelier lighting, Egyptian cotton towels, and Crabtree and Evelyn hand soap. It wouldn’t have felt out of place to see a uniformed attendant on duty.
When she returned to the ballroom, Wade was waiting for her. “The apology has been made and accepted.”
“Good. Now I can relax.”
He smiled, a teasing glint in his dark eyes. “You’re a funny little thing.”
“I like for people to get along.”
“Me, too, but I don’t lose sleep over it when it doesn’t happen. Let’s get started on the introductions. My team is anxious to meet the woman who can make me think of something other than work.”
Robin enjoyed putting faces with the names she’d heard Wade mention so often. At dinner she found herself seated next to his personal assistant. Autumn’s youthful looks suited her name. She had a cap of light brown hair, a snub nose and wide-set dark eyes. That she was fully aligned with her boss’s interests was evident from the start.
The conversation took a sharp left turn when Autumn mentioned an upcoming trip to New Zealand. Robin knew Wade had just returned from there before she met him, but this was the first she’d heard of him going back. She made a noncommittal reply, and then spent the remainder of the meal wondering why Wade hadn’t said anything about it and what, if anything, his omission meant.
The start of the speeches gave her something else to think about. Wade might not enjoy doing fundraisers, but when the subject was of interest and importance to him, he could talk about it to anyone. Robin was positive no one in the room could be in any doubt about his enthusiasm and passion for his field of study. Hopefully that would be enough to win their support.
It was close to ten before people began heading for the exits. Reece stopped by to wish them both goodnight before he left. She was glad to see that his demeanor was exactly the same as always. The last thing she wanted was to be the cause of discord between the two men.
Another half hour passed before she and Wade were able to follow Reece’s example. On the way to the parking garage, Wade shrugged out of his coat and loosened his tie. “I’m glad that’s over for another year.”
His pained expression brought a grin to her face. “I don’t know much about these things, but I thought it went well.”
“We’ll know more about that in a few days when the checks start rolling in. Thanks for coming with me. You were the belle of the ball. More than one person told me what a lucky dog I am.” He drew her against him. “This isn’t how I would have chosen to spend our first evening together in two weeks. Do you think we could impose on Kait again tomorrow night? You and I have earned some alone time. We’ve got things to talk about.”
Was that a reference to Owen, the trip to New Zealand, or both? Robin started to ask, and then decided it was too late to get into any serious discussions. It had been a long day, and they were both tired. She just wanted to enjoy what was left of the evening.
Chapter Eleven
Reece glanced at the pineapple clock on Aunt Leigh’s living room wall. Had it only been an hour? It felt more like four. His impatience had nothing to do with his aunt or the lovely girl sitting next to her. Demi was the daughter of one of Aunt Leigh’s childhood friends. In other circumstances, he wouldn’t have minded getting to know her. But these weren’t ordinary circumstances. Reece was distracted by the conversation he had with Sylvie’s brother earlier this morning and impatient to put into