Page 77 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“No!” Brad shook his head. “Harriet is one of my oldest and dearest friends. She grew up with myself and the Blackwells.”
“Does she usually kiss you?” Jennifer still wasn’t convinced.
“Not a romantic kiss,” Brad answered. “It’s a kiss you give a relation not a partner.”
Jennifer nodded. “What about the viper from this afternoon?”
“You don’t want to get me started about her,” Brad warned. “I don’t like her and never have. Vanessa’s father is a congressmanand a friend of my parents. Besides being forced to reintroduce her to New York society when she moved back two years ago, I barely know her.”
“The tabloids have practically married the two of you off,” Jennifer informed him.
“They try to get me married off at least three or four times a month.” Brad sighed and drank some wine. “I admit I’ve sowed my wild oats, but not since I married. Even after my divorce, the only person I was serious with was…”
“Me!” Dawn Vanderbilt popped up behind them. “Hi!”
“Dawn?” Brad looked at her worriedly. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be resting?”
“I’m fine,” Dawn assured him. “I just needed to be rehydrated and vowed never to sail again.”
“Dawn, this is—“ Brad started to introduce Jennifer.
“Jennifer Gains.” Dawn smiled warmly. “How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you, Dawn.” Jennifer gestured to Dawn’s dress. “I love your dress.”
“Thank you,” Dawn said. “And I love yours.”
“You two know each other?” Brad asked.
“We’ve met many times,” Jennifer confirmed.
“I hear you’ve left the publishing business to start your own management firm?” Dawn looked at her questioningly.
“I have,” Jennifer nodded.
“Then we need to talk,” Dawn told her. “We’ll have lunch soon, as I’d love to hire you.”
“Of course,” Jennifer said.
“Great, I’ll give you a call next week.” Dawn glanced at where the yacht was. “I can’t believe I allowed Ethan to talk me into going to that dinner party.”
“Ethan’s at the party?” Brad looked at the boat in astonishment.
“Yup!” Dawn nodded. “He messaged me a few minutes ago demanding to know where I am because some woman is suffocating him and following him around.”
“You know you shouldn’t let Ethan rely on you as his social buffer,” Brad told her.
“He’s had a rough time,” Dawn reminded Brad.
“I know, but it’s time he moved on,” Brad pointed out.
“I don’t think you ever move on after losing someone the way he lost his ex-wife,” Dawn’s voice dropped, and her phone buzzed. “That’s him, again.” She sighed. “I’d better go.” She smiled at Jennifer. “I’ll see you on the yacht.”
Dawn walked off toward the jetty.
“I didn’t know you knew Dawn,” Brad said, looking inquiringly at Jennifer.
“I met her years ago,” Jennifer explained. “She’s lovely.”
