Page 40 of Getting Lucky

“Jack,” she said with a bright smile. “Come in.”

He walked through the door and the scent of something delicious filled his nostrils.

“I know you just left a girls’ night out,” River called out, “but did you have a chance to eat, or was it more of a cosmo diet?”

Jack laughed. “I confess I never made it to the dinner portion of the evening, but we had some appetizers. And for the record, no cosmos were involved.”

“That’s surprising,” River said. “Maisie loves her cosmos.”

Something about the way he said it irked Jack, but maybe that was just because he’d been thinking about Maisie’s friendship with River and Finn earlier, wondering if she’d ever been involved with either of them. She and River had known each other longer, and…

And he was being an idiot. Even if they had meant something more to each other at some point, it was none of his business.

“Well, good, because I was hoping you’d join us for dinner,” Georgie said as she held out a hand. “Here, let me take your coat.”

He slipped out of his jacket and handed it to her. She opened the coat closet and hung it up as he walked toward the dining table, which was set for three.

River set a casserole dish on a trivet. “Good thing you said yes because we already set a place for you.” He beamed. “You have impeccable timing. You’ll get to try Georgie’s famous pasta bake.”

Jack closed the distance to the table, feeling guilty that he was about to eat a home-cooked meal while Iris was at home eating leftover pizza. But he knew she’d never want to come, and truth be told, he really did want to get to know Georgie better. Even if part of him still resented her a little.

“Have a seat,” River said, gesturing to the chair closest to him.

He sat while River headed back into the open kitchen. “What can I get you to drink? A beer?”

“Water,” Jack said. He’d already had enough bourbon at the restaurant.

River got him a glass of water, and Georgie brought out a basket of rolls before they both sat at the table.

“You didn’t have to feed me,” Jack said, his stomach growling at the smell.

“We’ve been wanting to spend more time with you,” Georgie said, digging a serving spoon into the casserole dish and serving Jack some pasta. “Your offer to plan our engagement party was more than generous.” She shot a look at River. “Especially since some of Dottie’s more eccentric ideas might need a second eye.”

He held up a hand. “Before you say that, you might want to hear what Addy and I were discussing.”

“Shoot,” River said, resting his forearms on the table as he gave Jack his full attention.

He made a face. “At the risk of sounding rude, Addy thought you might enjoy yourselves more if a couple of people don’t attend the party.”

“Oh?” Georgie asked in surprise as she scooped some of the pasta onto her own plate.

“Let me guess,” River said, taking the serving spoon from Georgie. “Your father being one of them.”

Jack shot a glance at his half-sister to gauge her reaction, but she showed none. “Yes, the other being Victoria.” He paused. “But that’s Addy’s take on the situation. What doyouwant, Georgie? It’s your engagement party. This is about you and River.”

She hesitated for several seconds, keeping her gaze on her plate before lifting it to River. “I want the party to be a celebration,” she said. “My father will detract from that.”

“And Victoria…,” River said, watching his fiancée for a moment before he turned to look at Jack. “Georgie’s making a concession by asking her to be in the wedding. If she doesn’t show up at the engagement party, I’m sure no one will be upset.”

“But I want Lee there,” Georgie said, turning to face Jack, “and they seem to be a package deal.”

“Addy has a plan to keep Victoria and Prescott away but still get Lee to come.”

“I’m all ears,” River said wryly.

“We think you should have the party on Christmas Eve.”

“Christmas Eve?” Georgie said, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “I’m sure everyone has plans.”

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