It’s customary when a man pays you an honest compliment to simply say thank you.”
“Thank you,” she repeated automatically.
They stopped in the crowd of people who were filling the open lobby area. “A reciprocal compliment would be nice, too.”
She looked him up and down, then moved around him to, presumably, inspect the rear view. Completing the circle, she said, “You’ll do.”
“Wow.” He whistled. “Praise like that could turn a guy’s head.”
“Oh, please. Excluding my brothers, there might be one, maybe two men in this room better looking than you. I can’t believe your ego needs massaging.”
“It’s just fine, thanks.” He put his arm around her waist and drew her to a protected corner as the guests waited to file into the dining room for the reception. It was with great reluctance that he removed his hand. “I’m surprised at you. With five older brothers you should recognize teasing when you see it.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Did you tease your sisters?”
“Still do. Every chance I get.”
“And yet you were on your best behavior when you walked Haley down the aisle.”
He could see the question in her eyes, why him and not Haley’s father. But Rose was too polite to ask. “My father abandoned the family when we were kids. Haven’t seen him since.”
“Oh.”
Austin saw the sparkle in her eyes fade to sadness and wished he could take back the words. Maybe put the sass back in her smile. “Sorry, didn’t mean to be a downer.”
“You’re not.” She glanced past him. “Looks like they’re letting people in to the reception. I think I’ll get in line, too.”
When she started to walk past him, Austin put a hand on her arm. “Not so fast. Are you trying to ditch me?”
“Because we’re here as friends with no strings attached, ‘ditch’ seems harsh. I thought I’d just mosey on in and watch single guys swarm around now that I have the Austin Anderson stamp of approval and they don’t need to be afraid.”
He’d set those parameters. It seemed the only way he could get her to go with him. But the idea of a bunch of guys hitting on her made him want to put his fist through a wall.
“Tell you what,” he said. “There’s a receiving line. We’ll say hello to the bride and groom and the bride and groom and then I’ll buy you a drink.”
“Done. Except I’ll buy my own.”
“It’s an open bar.”
“Big spender,” she teased.
Austin rested his hand at the small of her back, urging her to the end of the line. It didn’t take long to reach the couples of the hour standing just outside the double doors leading into the Gallatin Room.
Rose hugged Matt Cates, then his new bride. “Congratulations. You look stunning.”
“Thanks,” Matt answered.
Elise smiled radiantly. “She meant me, although you do look fairly spectacular, husband.”
Austin had been a couple years behind the twins in school, but they all knew each other well. He shook hands, then hugged Matt’s wife. “I suppose it’s too late to talk you into running away with me?”
“Sorry.” The pretty blonde shrugged. “It was too late a long time ago.”
“If you change your mind…”
“Not a chance,” she said.
Rose moved on and gave Marlon a hug. “Congrats. I wish you every happiness.”
“Thanks, Rose. Hey, Austin— Or should I say ‘bro’?”
“I answer to either.” And he truly meant that. The connection was legal now, but he felt as if he did have a brother. He met his sister’s gaze and didn’t miss the spark of interest in his “date.”
“Haley, have you met Rose Traub?”
“No.” The two women shook hands. “Marlon and I have been traveling and planning the wedding. But I heard you moved here from Texas.”
“Yes.” Rose smiled. “When I was here for my brother Corey’s wedding I fell in love with Thunder Canyon.”
“Who wouldn’t,” Haley said. “But I don’t understand what you’re doing here with my brother.”
“What?” Rose looked like a kid who just got caught cheating on a test. “Why?”
“Because he’s an obnoxious jerk.” Haley gave him a teasing smile. “But I love him anyway.”
“Back at you, Hay.” Clearly his sister was joking, but Rose had gone directly to the bad place and he wasn’t sure how to get her out of it. He slid his arm around her waist. “Lets go find our table.”
“With any luck it’s in a dark corner behind a plant.”
“You’re overly sensitive. It’s not that much of a difference. You just had a birthday.” He decided it was best not to put a finer point on it with numbers. “And in two months I’ll be a year older. See? We’re practically the same age.”
“Nice try. With hinky math like that it’s a wonder you got into an engineering program at all.” She shot him a rueful look.
Austin followed Rose, mesmerized by the sway of that feminine skirt. There were white cloth-covered tables three deep lining the perimeter of the room with the center open for dancing. Poinsettias in red and white with candles on either side made up the centerpieces. In the far corner, wedding gifts were piled up and there were two bars set up on either side of the room. Austin guided her straight to the closest one.
“I’d like a glass of chardonnay,” she said.
The bartender, in crisp white shirt, red tie and black pants, had dark hair shot with gray. “May I see your ID?”
“What?” she asked.
“Identification,” he repeated. “It’s illegal for me to serve alcohol to anyone under twenty-one.”
“I’m way over that,” she assured him.
“Okay, but I need to see some proof of that.” His tone was polite and professional.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No.” He didn’t budge.
“He’s a friend of yours,” she said to Austin, suspicion lurking in her eyes. “You put him up to this. It’s a practical joke.”
“I’ve never met him before,” he assured her, giving the guy a what-are-you-going-to-do shrug.
She blew out a breath, then opened her tiny beaded black evening bag, pulled out her driver’s license and handed it over.
The bartender checked the date and looked surprised. “Wow, I’m usually not that wrong.”
“And I haven’t worked that hard for an alcoholic beverage since… Actually ever.”
“Did you even try to get a drink before you were old enough?” Austin asked.
“No.”
“Good thing.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve probably always looked about twelve.”
“Thanks, I think.” She took a sip of the pale gold liquid.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender asked him.
“Beer. Bottle is fine.”
“Coming