Our Little Secret Read Free Page B

maybe the way his smile had a mischievous slant, making her wonder about things she had no business wondering about.

    She caught Drew watching her with frank curiosity and realized she’d sucked her lower lip between her teeth while staring thoughtfully at his mouth. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks.

    “This is not helping,” she said.

    Gerald stepped closer and placed his hands on his hips. “Arguing over motives isn’t getting us anywhere. We still don’t know where Meg is.”

    “Yes, we do.” Drew turned his attention toward Gerald. “She’s on her honeymoon.” The heat inside Lauren waned as soon as he said it.

    She looked at Gerald, too. Anything to avoid meeting Drew’s eyes. “No, she isn’t. Meg wouldn’t have told me to drop everything and come here just so she could sneak out of town.”

    “I agree,” Gerald said.

    His approval gave her enough courage to risk a glance at Drew. He raised his eyes in silent appeal to the heavens, apparently at their misguided loyaltyto Meg. “Okay then, where is she and why can’t we reach her?”

    Frustration surged through Lauren, pulling her to her feet. “How should I know? But I’m not leaving until I see her. My sister thought it was vitally important that I come here today. And I’m glad I did because I plan to convince her to disassociate herself from the Creighton family as soon as possible.”

    It was much easier to meet Drew’s eyes when she glared.

    He smiled. “Well, Aunt Lauren, at least we agree on one thing—my father’s marriage to your sister is a mistake.”

    She gritted her teeth. “Don’t call me that.”

    “But I’m beginning to like the sound of it.”

    Gerald threw his hands up. “Oh, for crying out loud! Will you two behave?”

    The reprimand, coming from such a slight young man, carried a surprising amount of authority. Lauren gave him a sheepish smile. “You’re right.”

    “The voice of reason.” Drew stood, an act which, however unintentional, dramatically reduced Gerald’s presence in the room. “It looks like we have no choice but to wait for the happy couple to show up. So what do you say we make ourselves comfortable? I’m willing to play nice if you are… Lauren.”

    Since he dropped the Aunt, she forced her lips into a brief, upward curve. “Works for me.”

    He smiled back with seemingly genuine pleasure. Probably at the prospect of having several more hours to insult her sister.

    “We’ve forgotten our manners, Gerald. Lauren isour guest.” Drew turned back to her. “Can I get you anything?”

    It was about time someone asked. “Yes. Food.”

    He grinned, a look entirely too erotic for comfort. “Right this way.”

    Lauren spent the next hour eating her way through soup, a sandwich, and a large slice of pie. She tried to clean up, but Gerald shooed her out of the room along with Drew, who seemed no more familiar with Senator Creighton’s kitchen than she was. Growing up with money, he was probably used to having cooks make his food.

    Meg still hadn’t shown up, or even called. Neither had Senator Creighton.

    Lauren stood at the senator’s leaded glass living room window, brooding over the darkening Georgetown street. She felt Drew enter the room.

    “I just tried his office again. They haven’t heard from either of them, but apparently it’s not unusual for my dad to be out of touch for a day or two. He has an active, uh, social life.”

    Lauren nodded without turning and crossed her arms. At least he was keeping her updated without dropping further insinuations about her sister’s loose life and shady motives.

    “Why don’t you try your sister’s cell phone?”

    “I did. I’m still getting her voice mail.”

    He was silent for a moment. “Would you like to watch TV?”

    “No, thank you.”

    Another short silence. “How about—”

    Lauren spun around. “Stop being so nice to me. It’slike someone’s died and you’re afraid to say the wrong