Page 8 of Puck and Prejudice

“Wait! I can’t go like this.” Lydia points at her jeans.

“Did you just assume I’d give you a ride?” I arch a brow.

“Dad sent you a text. Did you not get it?” Mari Carmen asks.

“No.”

“See, now you have to wait.” Lydia smirks.

“Oh, I could drive you, hon,” Mom offers.

The horror. I lock eyes with Jane and see distress in hers. If Mom drives Lydia to the party, she’ll find a way to come inside and stay. If having Lydia at the party is a bad idea, having Mom there would be disastrous.

I glance at my watch again. If I don’t leave now, I’ll be late. But it’s Paco’s fault for letting his daughter invite Lydia and asking me to drive her and his daughter.

“Oh fine. I’ll wait for you to change clothes, but be quick about it,” I tell Lydia.

“Okay. Give me five minutes, ten tops. Come on, Mari Carmen.” The girls run down the hallway, leaving Mom pouting.

“I could have driven them.”

“Then you would be late to cook dinner. You know that Dad can’t function in the kitchen. He’d probably burn the house down.”

She frowns. “That’s true.”

“Where’s Dad, anyway?” Jane asks.

Mom turns toward the living room. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s in the stables checking on the horses. I’d better go find him.”

Dad used to be a polo player, and once he retired, he dedicated his life to the ranch. He’s great with horses and training them, but lately, things have been difficult. He doesn’t have as many clients as he used to, and it’s been hard financially. That’s why Mom’s so excited about Jane going to the party and meeting hockey players. I’m no prize, and I doubt I’ll catch the eye of anyone unless they’re glaring at me.

Mom’s putting all her hopes on my beautiful sister marrying well, and her future husband taking care of the family. Little does she know; Jane has already done that without Mom’s meddling.

I hate that that’s what she expects Jane to do. I know Jane would never marry someone for his money, and if she said yes to Chad Bingley, it’s because she truly loves him.

“Thanks for the save,” Jane says once Mom leaves us alone. “I’d be a nervous wreck knowing I’d have to introduce Mom to Chad while she was busy playing matchmaker.”

“You’re welcome.”

“But you’re going to be late. You know what? Why don’t I wait for Lydia, and you go ahead?”

“What about driving only one car? I know why you don’t want to take yours.”

Jane blushes. “It’s okay. I can follow Chad to his house in my car.”

“All right. I’ll go then. See you in a bit.”

ChapterFive

IZZIE

I’ve been working at the party for a couple of hours, and so far it’s been drama free. Lydia is behaving, for what I can tell. Paco gave her and Mari Carmen plenty of work to do, and he’s been keeping an eye on them. But I know she’s waiting for a moment of distraction to make her escape.

I spotted Jackson Darcy earlier and made sure I didn’t go near him. I want to maintain a positive vibe tonight, and that won’t last if I interact with the man. The party is being held mostly in the garden area of the mansion. There are a few bars spread around, and both high and regular tables covered in white cloth, sofas with Miami Lions branded pillows, and a stage where a band will be playing later. Currently, a DJ is providing the background music.

Suddenly, the DJ stops playing, and a ripple of excitement rolls through the crowd. I halt in my tracks, and from the corner of my eye, I see Jane’s flamenco group move toward the wooden platform installed especially for their performance. There are five dancers, plus the guitar player and the singer.

I put down my empty tray and move closer so I can see her better. I love to watch Jane dance. Our mother used to be a professional flamenco dancer as well, and she taught all of us the art. I wasn’t as good as Jane, so I only learned the basics and how to dance Las Sevillanas, which is akin to learning to ride a bicycle if you’re from Seville, where Mom is from.

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