She finally found her voice. "Did Dad talk to you?"

He nodded. "He gave me your message. I would have said something at the hospital, but I thought...I mean, I figured that was your father with you and Denton. You two look a lot alike." He grimaced and swore softly. "I didn't want to start trouble between you and your father."

She stared at him. "Message?"

He frowned as he led her across the verandah in a graceful waltz.

"Yes. I was surprised when he invited me to this party. He said you wanted to talk to me." His movements stiffened. "Or was that his idea?"

So Dad had been successful after all. "No, I wanted to talk to you, but I was with a sick friend at the moment."

"The lady in the red dress?"

"Yes." What was there to say? Obviously being here was an obligation for both of them. Tears stung her eyes and clouded her thoughts. He would be expecting some explanation for her request, but what?

He cleared his throat. "Look, I came to California for a job interview. I wasn't planning on harassing you. I know I acted like a fool. You never promised anything. You tried to tell me you weren't interested in a serious relationship, but I didn't want to hear it. I'm sorry about the mean things I said to you. If you..."

"A job interview? Did you get the job?" Her heart did a flip-flop. If he moved to California, that meant their paths would more than likely cross now and then. The idea was both exciting and painfully disappointing.

He favored her with a wry smile and answered in a dry tone. "Yes, I got the job. You'd be surprised how many people I can impress when I put my shoes on."

An uncomfortable warmth crawled up her neck. "I'm not surprised you got the job. You're the most persuasive person I've ever met." She sighed. "And just for the record, only an arrogant fool would mistake you for an unsophisticated country hick - and I've never been arrogant."

A spark of the old humor ignited in the amber eyes and she canted her head toward her father. "And my father is no fool."

He nodded, leaning toward her as they turned. "I can believe that."

The feel of his warm hand on her waist made her heart pound. The shoulder muscles beneath his gray blazer rippled as he moved. Could he feel the tenseness in her body? Where were they? Oh, yes.

"Denton thought you were a gold digger. He didn't mean all those things he said either. My father would know better than to raise any objections about my choice in a partner for life."




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