Page 12 of Dating His Brother

Well, his plan had failed. Because it only made me dislike him more. I hadn’t even really thought badly of him before. There was something intriguing about him, but I didn’t think much beyond that. Now I lost all interest. The last thing I needed was a clever liar stalking around trying to corner me.

“There you are,” my brother’s voice sounded in my ear. “I was wondering where you went. Are you enjoying yourself?”

I darkened my eyes at him. “You know I’m not. Everyone’s staring at me.”

“You should be used to that.”

“Not like this,” I groaned. “I can’t move an inch without someone using it as their chance to strike and corner me into another dull conversation. Seriously, what was the criteria for the men in attendance? Beyond being unbearably boring.”

“Every woman in the room wishes she was you right now,” he reminded me, as if that made it any better.

“I need a drink,” I scoffed, snatching the first glass of champagne that passed by on a tray.

Jack wrapped his arm around me as I threw back the bubbly yellow liquid and started guiding me across the room. “There’s someone I want you to meet. Someone who I don’t think you’ll find so boring and unbearable.”

“Here’s hoping,” I laughed, snatching another glass of champagne which I threw back just as quickly.

I relished in the momentary relief of being in my big brother’s protective grasp. He pushed past clusters of people, making it clear I was off limits, at least for a minute, while I was with him. Until he stopped in front of one man that the crowds seemed to part for.

“Isabella. This is Richard Hayes,” Jack announced.

Richard Hayes. He flashed a perfect, big, white mesmerizing smile and his blue eyes sparked over me, drinking me in from head to toe. But not in the way other men had been doing all night. He had a confidence about him that said he could take me or leave me, though his preference was obvious. He wasn’t hurting for female companions either way.

He was tall and muscular, impeccably dressed. And I could tell by the way Jack’s eyes widened and nodded towards him that he obviously loved the guy.

“Isabella,” Richard smiled, reaching for my hand to kiss it—just like some kind of Prince Charming. “I was hoping I’d have a chance to meet the guest of honor. You’re even more dazzling in person than in your photos.”

“And just how did you come by this chance to meet me?” I asked, my eyes sparking over his perfect, plump, kissable lips. “With a direct introduction from my brother, no less?”

“Jack and I have done some business together before,” he replied, cool and calm. “Truthfully, I’ve been intrigued by rumors of the little Landson sister long before you became Heartstring’s prized bachelorette.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed between us before he turned to me with a wink. “I’ll leave you two alone to talk.”

We moved in closer to each other as Jack left us. The crowd was closing in around us, and I could feel everyone glaring—especially the other guys who were waiting impatiently for their own chance to talk to me. But Richard seemed to attract his own small crowd of groupies. Several women scoffed at me and the way we were looking at each other.

“Hey Richard. Think you could indulge me for a moment?” I asked.

“I was certainly hoping for the chance to,” he smirked.

“I need some fresh air. It’s starting to feel rather…suffocating in here.”

“Say no more.” He set down his empty glass on a tray as it passed by and took me by the arm. “I know just the spot. Come with me.”

The dirty looks aimed at us only intensified as he led me through the crowd towards the balcony doors. Several people ignored the signs and tried to start up a conversation with us anyways, but we just kept walking. Some of them even tried to squeeze out onto the balcony with us, but Richard was clever enough to evade them and lock the door behind us.

“Much better,” I sighed, taking in a deep breath of the crisp night air. “So, tell me, Richard…What is it about you that has my brother so smitten?”

“Is he smitten?”

“He definitely wantsmeto be smitten by you at the very least,” I chuckled.

“Well, I can’t speak to Jack’s opinion of me…” he said slowly. “But I’m a high-profile lawyer. I guess you could say I’m pretty well off. I come from a good family, and I’m pretty active in the community.”

I felt a tinge of disappointment at just how predictable his response was.Of course Jack liked this guy.

“In other words…You’re a rich, big-shot lawyer. I’m guessing you come from a long line of lawyers, judges, and politicians, meaning you’re connected. And by being active in the community what you actually mean is you can be found at some high society ball like this on any given weekend? Is that about right?”

His brow raised with a grin. “That’s one way to put it. Why don’t you tell me more about yourself?”

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