Page 3 of Just One Look

“Elizabeth Louise.”

“Only kidding.” Liz laughed loudly.Maybe.

Chapter Two

Thanks to a handful of complications popping up at the last minute, Devlin and Emily had agreed to meet at the gala. Now here he was struggling with the stupid bow tie on his tux and watching the clock on the wall. He should just keep a stash of clip-on ties for nights like tonight when his fingers and the real bow tie did not want to cooperate.

His phone buzzing on the nightstand, Devlin growled at the stupid tie and resisted the urge to fling it aside as he answered the cell. “Yes.”

“Oh, we’re having a good night, are we?” Emily’s voice was warm with amusement. “Let me guess. Your tie?”

“Always.”

“Put it in your pocket. I’ll help you with it when you get to the gala.”

“Deal.” Without a second thought, he shoved the tie into his pocket. “I’ll be heading out the door any second now.”

“I just wanted to let you know I’m running a smidge late myself. My neighbor’s little girl came down with a stomach bug. I had to run to the store to get her some Pedialyte and Rice Krispies, but I’m home now and will dress as fast as I can.”

“No hurry. I’m a big boy. I can wait.”

“I told Liz to go on ahead, she can make sure that Courtney doesn’t come after you before I get there.”

Liz? Oh, right. For just a moment, he’d forgotten that Emily’s sister was in town early and joining them tonight. “I can handle Courtney in a crowd. It’s alone that she worries me.”

Emily’s muffled laughter carried through the phone line. “I’ll still get there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks.” With nothing else to add, they said their goodbyes and he slipped the phone into his breast pocket. Double-checking the room, he was definitely ready to get on with the show.

Some days, the idea of getting married just to get out of the bachelor auction didn’t sound so bad. Most days, common sense ruled and he opted to keep Emily close to bail him out of trouble. So far that had worked just fine for him. No sense in fixing a system that wasn’t broken. Keys in hand, he marched out of his condo and drove straight to the country club. Handing his car off to the valet, he sucked in a long breath and marched up the red-carpeted steps of the hundred-year-old edifice.

“Wait up.” His cousin Porter trotted up the stairs. “Safety in numbers and all that.”

“What are you worried about?” Devlin fell into step beside his cousin. “You’re not the one on the auction block.”

Clearing his throat, Porter shoved a finger in his collar and sighed. “I figure it’s only a matter of time before Courtney of the many last names tires of bidding on you and Paige decides it’s time for a different Baron to be on the auction block.”

He should be so lucky.

“And when she does,” Porter continued, “I’ll be next in line.”

“Say the word and I’ll be happy to hand off the baton to you now. As a matter of fact, tonight would be a great test run.”

“Not on your life.” Porter flashed a cheeky grin. “If my luck holds, you’ll stay a bachelor longer than George Clooney and Paige will find another way to raise big bucks for a worthy cause.”

“Or pick on Colton.”

“Or Cameron,” Porter chuckled.

“There you go.” Dev slapped his cousin on the shoulder and tipped his chin toward the bar. “I say we hide out at the bar until this shindig gets rolling.”

“Works for me.” Porter stuttered to a stop. “Oops. Grams is waving me over.”

Their grandmother was standing beside two attractive women and no doubt was hoping that one of them would spark Porter’s interest. Most likely the only reason she hadn’t waved both of them over was because she knew Emily was his plus-one for the evening. Probably still believed, despite all their protests, that there was more to the relationship than friendship. Even though she was a woman, Emily had been one of his best friends for so many years, he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it, but no matter the wishes of his family, neither he nor Emily felt any spark of romance. The memory of the one time they’d kissed and had both laughed so hard at the absurdity of a romantic relationship still brought a smile to his face. Some day, he hoped Emily found a man good enough for her. Then maybe his grandparents would finally understand that they really and truly were only good friends.

A chill passed over him, a cool breeze across the back of this neck. Glancing up, he searched for the air conditioning vents, considering if they were going to need to speak to maintenance about the room temperature. Not noticing any vents near him, he shook his head and scanned the room, his gaze landing on the double doorway into the grand ballroom. Blinking, he squeezed his eyes shut and focused once again on the doorway. His eyes had to be playing tricks on him. Had he ever seen Emily wear her hair like that? Swooped up on top of her head in a mop of curls that looked casual and yet determined, a few loose strands twirled around her neck. A long neck that curved ever so slightly at her bare shoulders.

Had she always had such a long kissable neck? And when had he ever thought of Emily’s neck as kissable?

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