Page 58 of Dreaming of You

Chapter Twelve

Sunday evening seemed to take forever to arrive. While Kate had been busy with the wedding on Saturday and had spent most of the morning working on the Hunts' proposal, she'd still had plenty of time—too much time—to think about Barrett, and she had to admit she was excited to see him again. She didn't know where they were going in their relationship, and she was afraid to question any of it, because she doubted she would like the answer. But for now, she just wanted to have a good time.

When she opened the door and saw his handsome face, a shiver ran down her spine. He looked spectacularly handsome in his charcoal gray suit, his face freshly shaven, his dark hair styled but one errant wave still falling sexily over his forehead. And his eyes—so green, so penetrating, so damned compelling. It was difficult to look away.

Barrett didn't seem to want to look away, either, his gaze traveling down her clingy dark-red cocktail dress that she really hoped was appropriate for his mother's party.

"You're beautiful, Kate," he murmured, an appreciative gleam in his eyes that only made another shiver run down her spine.

"You look good, too." She forced herself to breathe. "Do you want to come in or shall we just go?"

"I'd rather come in and stay in, but…"

"We need to get to your mom's house, because it's her birthday, and you're being a good son."

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Okay." She grabbed her wrap and bag from the side table. "I'm ready." She pulled the door closed behind her and locked it and then followed Barrett out to his car. "I'm a little nervous," she confessed, as she slid into the passenger seat.

He shot her a quick look. "Really? I would think parties are your sweet spot."

"When I'm working a party, I know exactly what I'm doing. But this is different; it's your mom's birthday party, and I'm a little worried that she won't be happy you're bringing a complete stranger."

"Trust me, she'll be thrilled I brought a date. Nothing else will matter."

* * *

Barrett could not have been more wrong.

As Kate shook hands with his mother, Pamela Carlton, a tall, attractive brunette, she was given a frosty, annoyed smile. Then Pamela turned to her son with a pointedly irritated look.

"I didn't realize you were bringing a date, Barrett."

"You said I should," he replied.

"And you said you weren't even sure you were coming, much less bringing anyone."

"Things changed. Is there a problem?"

She hesitated, then said, "I suppose it's fine."

Kate was a little shocked at how rude Pamela was being. She could not have made her feel more unwelcome, and she wondered why Barrett's mother had taken such an instant dislike to her. All she'd said was hello.

As Pamela waved them into the house, a woman dressed in black slacks and a black shirt came over to take Kate's wrap and bag. She was followed by a waiter, who handed them two glasses of champagne.

Kate was more than happy to have a little bubbly to get this party started.

"How do you know my son, Miss Marlow?" Pamela asked as they hovered in the entry. It felt like Pamela wasn't sure she wanted them to come all the way into the party.

"Please call me Kate," she said, putting on a polite smile. "Barrett moved his law firm into my building last week. I have the office upstairs."

"Oh, right, the Victorian. Matt said you'd decided not to work in the tower, Barrett, although I can't imagine how this old house space could be better."

"It suits me fine," Barrett said. "And it allowed me to meet Kate. She's a wedding planner. In fact, she's talking to Candice and Olivia about doing Candice's wedding."

"Well, how lovely," Pamela said. "The Hunts will be here tonight. I'm sure they'll be happy to see their possible wedding planner."

Kate inwardly winced at the thinly veiled insult. Barrett's mother had made her sound like a servant.

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