Page 111 of Unexpected Entanglement

“And if she asked you for more?”

Chris wasn’t sure how to answer. Funny how he was stumped by a similar what-if question he’d asked Rowan yesterday. If he was honest to himself, he didn’t know the answer to that question because he didn’t want to be disappointed when she didn’t ask.

From where he stood, Chris watched Richard tap Rowan on the shoulder. Rowan turned to him with a ready smile that faded slightly when she saw him. Or maybe Chris imagined it did.

“What are you guys standing here for?” Two girlfriends of Meredith who had arrived this afternoon suddenly emerged at Kieran’s and Chris’ sides.

They each looped an arm around Chris and Kieran and pulled them into the party. “The night is beautiful and young,” said one of them, whose name Chris believed was Carly.

The women obviously had had a little too much to drink. Kieran looked alarmed as Monique started dancing around him.

Chris, the hospitality guy, put his personal issue aside and focused on the guests. “Ladies, I’m glad you’re having a great time. Have you had any food yet?”

“Yes, it was delicious!” Carly exclaimed.

“Wonderful. I’ll make sure the chef knows you said that.”

“Let’s dance!” Monique told Kieran.

Expertly, Chris saved a frozen Kieran from Monique. “Why don’t we get you a bottle of water before we do that?”

Chris gestured to Kieran to run and get the water while Chris chatted the two women up. He sat them down so they wouldn’t stumble on the rocky beach. Kieran returned with a couple of water bottles and handed them to the women.

“Drink up,” Chris urged. “The night is young, but I’m sure you don’t want a headache in the morning, do you?”

“You’re cute,” Monique said, took a chug of water, and then looked up at Kieran. “You’re cuter. I love tall men.”

Kieran’s eyes went wide in panic, and Chris almost burst into a laugh. He wished Frankie was around to witness this. Then she might see just how clueless Kieran was regarding women. Even before Rowan hinted Frankie had feelings for her boss, Chris had sensed it the first time they’d met.

“You work here?” Carly, who was the less inebriated of the two, studied Chris.

“Something like that. I picked you up at the ferry service today,” Chris reminded her.

“Oh, yes. My, you clean up real nice,” she said.

Chris just smiled.

“So, is there a policy that prevents the staff from having fun with the guests?” she flirted.

Oh, boy.

“You look good, Rowan,” Richard said as his eyes roamed over her, making Rowan a touch uncomfortable.

How was it she’d hoped for years that he’d look at her with more appreciation, but when he did, it made her want to run the other way?

“Thanks, Richard. Meredith told me you were coming,” Rowan said politely. “How was the trip over?”

“It was all right. The ferry made me a little queasy, but I handled it.”

Rowan just nodded. The sea had been calm today.

“I like your hair that length,” Richard noted. “You used to keep it short.”

“Thanks.” Rowan changed the subject. “How’s work? You’re happy with the new position?”

“Like I told you, I could do my boss’s job with one eye closed, and now I have the job. There’s nothing to it.”

“It’s what you’ve always wanted.”

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