Married By Midnight. Judith Stacy

      Late-afternoon sun shone brightly on the lawn, where a white, gauzy tent had been set up, crowded with tables covered with white linen and bouquets of fresh flowers. Fine china and crystal gleamed. Musicians played as elegantly attired couples swirled on the dance floor.

      “Absolutely,” Ethan declared, as he fell into step beside Nick.

      “Since when?” Nick asked, though he wasn’t much interested in the answer. Not with the problem that was on his mind, delivered to him just now from his office downtown.

      “What’s not to like?” Ethan helped himself to a glass of champagne from a passing waiter as they stopped in a shady spot near one of the refreshment tables. He took a second look at Nick. “What’s wrong with you? No, wait. Let me guess. Another problem with your Whitney project?”

      Nick fumed for a moment, annoyed now with Ethan as well as the problem he had to deal with. Yet he didn’t intend to discuss it with his friend. “It’s nothing,” he said. “Routine business.”

      “Humph.” Ethan grunted in disbelief, then shook his head. “That project is going to bankrupt you. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—you’d better pull out before you sink every cent you have into it, and lose it all.”

      “This project will work,” Nick insisted, keeping his voice down with considerable effort.

      Ethan glanced at him. “Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”

      Nick glared at him. “I don’t need to convince anyone.”

      “Relax, will you? This is supposed to be a party—your sister’s wedding reception.” Ethan gestured with his glass toward the guests, then sighed contentedly. “Look at all these lovely young women, dressed in their finest, all so beautiful, just waiting to be…well, now, who have we here? Who is that gorgeous creature talking with old man Ramsey?”

      Nick’s gaze followed Ethan’s to the edge of the crowded dance floor. His simmering annoyance edged closer to anger as he realized it was Amanda whom Ethan had noticed.