Ms. Match Read Free Page B

mates.”
    “Where do you fit in?”
    She almost said she didn’t. “It’s Jess and Autumn after me. Everyone else is older, if not wiser. As I said, feel free to leave. I’m used to them.”
    “I don’t know. That buffet looks great.”
    “I’m sure it is. My folks know how to throw a party.”
    He looked across the huge ballroom toward the orchestra. “I can see that. Do you dance?”
    “We all learned. My parents were semipro when they were younger. We listened to swing bands instead of lullabies.”
    “I had to go to a dance academy. What a nightmare. I got beaten up regularly, and no, learning to fox-trot didn’t help me become so light on my feet I came away unscathed. I had a permanent black eye until I was fifteen.”
    “But are you happy now?”
    “Well sure. I haven’t had a black eye in years.”
    She grinned. “I mean about the dancing.”
    “Ah. I suppose it’s good to know how, although there are remarkably few opportunities to use the skills these days.”
    “That’s true. And sad.”
    “There are some swing clubs in the Valley.”
    The woman standing in front of Paul turned to stare at him. Paul coughed. “Swing dance clubs,” he said. “Although I’m pretty certain there are the other kind, too.”
    The woman who’d looked at him was one of her parents’ golfing friends. They belonged to a club that cost a fortune and spent their days playing cards, tennis, even some lawn bowling. She was glad for them, that they had the money to live a leisurely retirement.
    “Gwen, it’s so nice to see you. It’s been ages.”
    What the hell was her name? It was Bitsy or Kiki or some other silly thing, but Gwen couldn’t recall. It didn’t matter, though, as what’s-her-name couldn’t take her eyes off Paul. “Nice to see you, too. This is Paul Bennet, a friend of Autumn’s.”
    The woman nodded as if it all suddenly made sense. “Where is that sister of yours?”
    “Rome.”
    “Lucky duck. Rome is beautiful this time of year, don’t you think?”
    Paul slid a glance at Gwen. “I’m sure Autumn would prefer to be here.”
    “Oh, of course she would.”
    Paul stepped closer, very close, although he didn’t touch Gwen. “My thoughts exactly.”
    With a final somewhat bewildered smile, the woman turned away, leaving Gwen yearning for her drink and her escape.
    “Is it all parties you dislike so much, or just family parties?” Though his voice was low, considering the noise in the room, she heard him. Felt his warm breath on the side of her neck.
    “I prefer small gatherings. With lots of conversation and laughter. Ah, finally.”
    They had gotten to the bartender at last. Paul ordered their drinks, and once they had them, she sipped as she led him toward the buffet. It was a huge spread, complete with an ice sculpture swan. Oysters on the half shell, colossal shrimp, crab legs, caviar. Everything was perfectly presented, the waitstaff attentive and polite. If only she could relax and enjoy herself. She juggled her glass and her plate until she had enough food to help ward off real drunkenness, then headed toward the far end of the ballroom where there were a few places to sit.
    Paul found them two seats, and they joined a group of strangers. Gwen recognized some of them, but she had no names to go with the faces. It was nice, though, because the food and drink made chitchat difficult. She wondered if she should tell him again that he was free to leave, or if that would sound as if she was throwing him out.
    “That’s got to be one of the sisters,” Paul said.
    She followed his gaze to the outskirts of the dance floor. Bethany, the only sister Gwen was remotely close to, stood with her husband, Harry. They both looked gorgeous. Beth wore a long, shimmering silver dress that hugged her perfect figure. “That’s Bethany. Husband Harry. They have a girl, Nickie, who’s almost a year old.”
    “Another one?” He nodded toward the front entrance.
    “Yep. That’s Eve. Although