Page 101 of The Wedding Toast
“No – I’m good.”She smiled.“I’ll let you do your secret scheming while I go see Callie.”
He kissed her one more time.“Not long now, sweetheart.”
~ ~ ~
Ollie's jaw clenched when he saw Becca coming.He adored her, but right now she had the look of a bride who needed her bridesmaid – and he'd only just managed to get Callie to dance with him.
"What's wrong?"Callie asked.
He gave her a rueful smile."I think your services are required, but can I count this as only a half dance and say you owe me the other half before the evening's over?"
Understanding dawned on her face when she saw Becca coming."Oh, right.Um, I guess it'll depend on what Becca needs.I will if I can, okay?"
"Okay."As he watched her hurry to Becca, he blew out a sigh.Everything seemed to be pointing to him pursuing Callie being a bad idea.But he didn't want to give up.
He left the dance floor and went back to where the guys were sitting.Trick was the only one still there, and he was nursing a glass of something non-alcoholic and looking less than happy to be here.
Ollie sat down beside him."You want to talk about it?"
Trick shook his head."Thanks, but there's nothing to say."
"Have you talked to her?"
Trick's gaze snapped up to meet his.“To who?”
"Sorry.I didn't know I wasn't supposed to know."
"No one knows," said Trick."How do you?"
Ollie had to think before he could answer."Honestly?My dad talked about it one time.He felt bad that he was the one who introduced Philip to people around here – the reason that Philip and Annalise moved here.He said one time that she'd be so much better off with you and..."Ollie ran his hand through his hair."Crap!I'm sorry, Trick.I shouldn't know, should I?"
"You shouldn't," Trick agreed.He took a long drink and set the empty glass down before adding, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention anything."
"Of course.Does Elliott not...?"
Trick shook his head.
"Damn.Well, since I do know – and I've been told I can be a good listener..."
"Thanks," said Trick."I should just put her out of my mind.But if I feel the need to talk, I might just bend your ear."He smiled."Come take those monsters of yours out for a walk with you."
Ollie laughed."Don't call them monsters!They're more like marshmallows, and you know it."
"I do, but that's another thing we try to keep secret, huh?Oh, would you look at that?"
Ollie followed his gaze and laughed out loud when he saw little Zia leading Charles by the hand away from the main party area.She was chattering away as she went, and Charles seemed to be enjoying the conversation – or at least, listening to her.
"Have you heard what she named him?"Trick asked.
Ollie had to laugh again."Grandpa Grape?Isn't that awesome?"
Trick laughed with him."Grandpa Grape?She introduced him to me as Sir Grandpa."
"Love it."He looked around, searching for Reaves.
"Do you think there's any chance that they might stay in town?"Trick asked."The way she calls Reaves Prince Daddy and now she's claimed Charles as her grandpa – is there more going on between Reaves and Alara than I know about?"
Ollie pursed his lips."I think there might be more going on between them than even they know.I think he likes the idea of Alara, but he hasn't spent any time with her.It's little Zia who's engineering it all."
