Page 114 of The Perfect Mistake

“I’ll set you up with someone,” Connie says. Her eyes sparkle with a sudden mission. “There’re definitely people here who are interested.”

“As long as they’re not like that guy at your wedding party—”

“Oh, no, he’s not coming back. It was a friend of a friend of a friend.” She shakes her head firmly. “Not everyone can handle open bars, especially not assholes. Okay. Let’s see who I can introduce you to…”

We both scan the room. My eyes drift to the man they always gravitate to, finding him easily. He’s not at the poker tables or the bar. He’s standing by the large built-ins, gripping a glass of scotch and talking to someone.

I lean to the side to see who it is… A brunette. I can’t make out anything more.

He nods once, eyes steady on the woman.

“Who’s that?” I ask.

“Hmm? Oh, the woman Alec’s talking to? She’s one of Gabriel’s cousins. A pretty good sign, actually, that they’re talking.” She leans forward, like she might get a better look. “And… it doesn’t seem like it’s a fight. Huh. Maybe there’s hope for our families being in the same room after all.”

“I’m sure there is.” I glance at Connie out of the corner of my eye. What I’m about to ask is… but she knows him in a way I don’t.

And I’m desperate for the answers to the puzzle that is her brother.

“You don’t think Alec has thought about dating again?” I ask.

She takes a long sip of her drink. “No,” she finally says. “I wish he would. I don’t know anything about his romantic life. Not that I knew much about it before, either… I mean, he and Victoria met when I was only fifteen, I think. They were together for almost a decade, and I get it, but… it’s been five years.” She shrugs and looks at me. “Unless you’ve noticed anything? You’re the one living in the same apartment as him.”

“Separate wings, though.”

“Yeah. I’ve seen those nanny rooms. Pretty good, right?”

“Absolutely, I have no complaints. And no. I haven’t seen or heard about any… dates.” It feels like a lie, even though it’s not.

Just sex.

I clear my throat. “How did he and Victoria meet, anyway?”

“I’m not sure, really. I think it was through mutual friends.” She sighs. “I think finding love again would really do him good, though. Did you ever meet him before Vicky died?”

“No, I didn’t.” Her passing happened right as I became friends with Connie. I remember it vividly. Having brunch, one of our first times hanging out together, and then seeing her face as she got the news.

“Right. Well, he was still Alec. His sullen, orderly, overbearing self. The perfect son and big brother. Nate and I have never been able to live up to his example.” Her voice softens, and then she sighs again. “But that was taken to an extreme after she died. I’m really glad I got him to come here, actually.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh yes. I thought he was going to say no when I went to talk to him, but he was surprisingly quick to accept. Even came out of his office to talk to me.” She chuckles. “Never seen him do that before.”

I keep my eyes on the poker tables in front, and the croupiers dealing out new cards. “That’s great,” I say. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the pens and papers scattered all over the floor or the scent of sex in the air.

She nudges my shoulder again. “And I think it had something to do with you.”

My heart stops. “You think?”

“Yeah. I told him you were coming, so Mac would be driving anyway, and he’d have someone else here he knew to talk to.” She smiles wide. “Thanks for being so good to my niece and nephew, and to my brother. I know he’s not easy to put up with.”

I nod woodenly. “Yeah. My pleasure.”

She threads her arm with mine. “Now, let’s go mingle. I’ve thought of at least three guys here I want to introduce you to. One is super hot but kinda hard to talk to, but the other two are the perfect balance of attractive and interesting.”

“You, a married woman?” I say in pretend outrage.

She pulls me along. “A girl can still look. Besides, Gabriel was the one who suggested I introduce you to Todd. Let’s go.”

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