Page 48 of Baby Bodyguard

“Only if you disappear on me.” He’d turned serious and it alarmed her. “Promise me, Sami. Promise you’ll stay close tonight.”

“Fine. I promise.”

“Good.” He inclined his head toward the room they were approaching. “Showtime, sweetheart. Ijust caught a glimpse of your mother, so smile. If Babe senses something’s wrong, she’ll never let up.”

“You really do know my mother.” It reminded her of the questions that had plagued her earlier. “You said she hired you. But you never said how you met.”

“Didn’t I?”

There wasn’t time to ask anything further, but Sami made a mental note to pursue the conversation at the first opportunity. The instant they stepped into the ballroom, Babe descended on them, dispensing hugs and kisses and chattering away at high speed. She only drew breath long enough to shoot Noah a quick look. It held an unmistakable question, expressing both nervousness and—

Sami’s eyes widened in dawning disbelief. And guilt. Anasty little thought flittered through her mind, leaving behind aterrible suspicion. Her hands clenched around her wrap, her grip so hard the beaded decoration cut into her palms.

Oh, no. Please, not that. It had never occurred to her Babe might have a personal interest in Noah—which might explain how they knew each other so well. But it was there in her mother’s beseeching gaze as well as in Noah’s answer—asilent, glittering warning that elicited instant obedience.

Sami hadn’t thought the evening could get any worse. What an idiot she’d been. It had gone from disastrous directly to horrifying. Her mother and Noah. Heaven help her. What in the world should she donow?

“Hello, my dear.” Reggie appeared at Sami’s side and planted an avuncular kiss on her cheek. “I’d wish you a happy birthday, but I’d need your promise not to take my head off first.”

She turned to her uncle in relief, agurgle of laughter covering the advent of tears. “You can keep your head.”

“Why, thank you, my lovely Queen of Hearts.” He handed her a glass of champagne and lifted an eyebrow in question. “You strike me as a woman who could use this. Or am I mistaken?”

“No, you’re right. Icould.”

“I was hoping we might find a few minutes to talk privately. But looking at you, Isuspect my timing’s off again.”

“You know I always have time for you, Uncle Reg.” She linked arms with him. “Come on. Let’s find a quiet corner and—”

He shook his head. “Not now, Idon’t think.” Gesturing to indicate the decorations, he deliberately changed the subject. “So? Do you like how your mother’s fixed up the place?”

Sami took a quick sip of champagne and scanned the room. Flowers, tulle, and silver foil made up a predominate portion of the decor. “As always, Babe’s pulled it off in style.”

“She’s done a beautiful job, though it looks more like a wedding reception than a birthday party.” He gave an abashed shrug. “But maybe that’s because I’m a man and don’t have an eye for these things.”

“Or maybe you’re right and it looks that way because she’s had more practice at weddings than birthdays.”

Reggie inhaled sharply and turned, staring at her in astonishment. “What did you say?”

“I… I said…” To Sami’s horror, tears filled her eyes. “I said something really rude and horrible, didn’t I?”

“Yes, my dear. You did. Ibelieve the question is… Why?”

She darted a stricken look toward Noah. As though sensing her desperation, his gaze shifted and he focused on her. Their communication came in an instantaneous flash, asilent exchange of thought and emotion, adesperate plea sent winging out and an immediate reassurance sent swiftly back. Murmuring an excuse to Babe, he crossed to herside.

“I believe they’re playing our song,” he said, nodding toward Reggie. Taking the champagne flute from Sami, he handed it to a passing waiter. “Excuse us, won’t you?”

With a smoothness she could only envy, he wrapped his arms around her and swung her onto the floor. “What’s going on?” he bit out. “What did Reggie say to you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. You were about to burst into tears. Now what the hell happened?”

She couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see his expression when she explained. “He said the place appeared more like a wedding reception than a birthday party.”

Noah’s brows drew together as he attempted to attach meaning to her comment. “And that made you cry?”

“No. It was what I said in reply.” She moistened her lips, forcing out the confession. “I… I told him that was because Babe’s had more practice at wedding receptions.”

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