Page 33 of Married to Murder
I felt Seth’s spine stiffen beneath my hand. “Not exactly,” he said gruffly. “No glass slippers or pumpkin coaches involved.”
“Oh, sure. But wow, you really hit the jackpot, huh?” Gloria flicked her gaze to me. “Tanner’s family is loaded.”
“Keep that up and I’ll think you’re implying Seth’s only after me for my money,” I said sharply.
Her cheeks were pink. “Of course not. I’m just teasing.”
“I didn’t think Tanner would ever settle down,” Julio interjected smoothly. “He didn’t seem at all interested in domestic bliss.”
“Things change.” I smiled politely. I tried to stamp down my irritation that my friends were being so boorish. Seeing them through Seth’s eyes it was obvious how shallow and ridiculous they were. Maybe I needed a new set of friends. It was pretty telling that I’d rather be floating on a surfboard talking to Seth than in this room with these people I’d grown up with.
“So what attracted you to Seth?” Gloria asked. “I mean other than the blond surfer boy thing.” She laughed. “What was it about him that made you want to settle down for good?”
Julio nodded. “Yeah, that’s a big step for you, Tanner.”
“It is for both of us.” Seth rubbed the back of his neck, and then drained his glass.
I knew he felt restless and I couldn’t blame him. It had never occurred to me my friends would be this intrigued by my engagement. I’d known they’d be curious, but I didn’t appreciate them making Seth feel unworthy of me.
“Oh, sure, it’s a big step for you both.” Gloria sounded patronizing. “Do you guys have a pre-nup?”
Seth grunted. “I’m going to go grab another drink. Want one?” he asked me.
“I’m good.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“Sure,” I responded.
I watched him disappear into the crowd of people in the direction of the bar. I wanted to follow him but I stayed put, trying to give him space. When I looked back at Gloria and Julio, they were watching me intently. “He doesn’t like crowds,” I said.
“He’s adorable,” murmured Gloria. “Not really very talkative though.”
“This isn’t really his kind of party.” I met Julio’s gaze.
“Is he more of a beach barbeque guy?” Gloria asked with a sly smile.
“Very funny.” I frowned.
“So how did you keep him such a secret?” Julio asked. “I mean, last I knew you loved the single life, now you’re getting married in a few weeks?”
My face warmed. “When it’s right, it’s right.”
“I guess.” He frowned. “Did I overhear you saying you’re going to live in Montecito? I thought you loved it here.”
“I do, but Seth can’t leave his shop.” I shrugged. “I like it there too. It’s gorgeous.”
“How does your family feel about you marrying him?” Gloria glanced toward the bar.
“They’re over the moon happy.” Nobody but Seth and my family knew about the stipulations of my trust, and that was the way I wanted to keep it.
Gloria waved to someone a few feet away. “Oh, I need to talk to Jeanine. I’ll be back in a minute.” She hurried off, tugging at her short skirt.
The moment she was gone, Julio leaned in. “Hey, I wanted to talk to you about something.” He glanced around uneasily. “Your dad came into the bank the other day and tried to open a big line of credit.”
Shock rolled through me. “What?”
“He talked to my manager not me, but I overheard part of their conversation. He seemed pretty desperate.”
