Page 60 of Dreaming of You

"Surprisingly, no." Matt tipped his head to the redhead who was now talking to his mother.

Kate was a little shocked to see Pamela smile with real pleasure at the young woman. So Pamela wasn't cold as ice with everyone, only with her.

"That's Amy," Matt said. "She knows my mother from the tennis club. In case you were wondering why they're so friendly."

She nodded. "That makes sense."

"And I can shed a little light on the Vanessa invitation," Matt added. "Since Mom found out Vanessa's engagement is off, she got it in her head that maybe there's a chance Vanessa and Barrett can get back together."

"That's ridiculous," Barrett said.

"I told her she was out of her mind, but she doesn't listen to me," Matt replied. "Anyway, I'm going to join Amy and Mom. I'll talk you up, Kate. I've got your back."

"You really don't have to bother."

"It's no bother." He turned to Barrett. "Why don't you get Kate some food, mingle with our old family friends, try to look like it's a party and not an execution?"

"I'm not sure I can do that," Barrett muttered.

As Matt left, she squeezed Barrett's hand. "I really am okay, Barrett. And I like your brother."

His tension eased at her words. "Matt is very likeable. Much more than me."

"One thing I don't understand…"

"What's that?"

"You said your mother set you up with the woman you took to the Winter Ball. Why would she do that if she wants you back with Vanessa?"

"She must not have known at the time that Vanessa was no longer engaged." He paused, giving her an apologetic look. "I never imagined she would treat you like that, Kate. She can be cold, but she's usually polite."

"What's her husband like?"

"James is a great guy. He's a little too talkative about really boring topics, but he treats my mom well, and they seem to be happy together. That's him—the balding man by the window."

She nodded, then turned as a rush of cold air hit her. Coming through the front door was Vanessa, followed by a silver-haired gentleman and a very thin, older brunette, who was probably Vanessa's mother. "Look who's here," she muttered.

"Barrett, it's good to see you," Vanessa's father said, striding forward.

Barrett let go of her hand to shake hands with his former father-in-law. "Doug, Mary," he added, nodding to Vanessa's mother. "Vanessa." He then reached for her hand once more. "This is Kate Marlow."

As he made the introductions, she smiled at everyone, noting a hint of pain in Vanessa's gaze.

"How's business, Barrett?" Doug asked.

"It's very good."

"No shortage of couples breaking up, huh?" Doug continued.

"Not so far, no."

"And what do you do, Miss Marlow?" Vanessa asked.

"I'm a wedding planner."

Vanessa raised one of her finely penciled eyebrows. "You plan weddings and Barrett negotiates divorces? That's odd."

She shrugged. "It has been interesting sharing office space. Our clientele is at opposite ends of the happiness spectrum."

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