Page 101 of Bargain with the Bachelor
In front of us, just on the edge of the dance floor, AJ boogied in his tiny tux.
“Look at me Kristhal. Look at me, Mommy. I’m a dancer.”
“Yes, you are, and you did a great job as ring-bearer, so you deserve to celebrate,” I said.
“Those are some fancy moves there, buddy,” Cinda said. “You’re awesome.”
Encouraged, AJ spun and jumped, pumping his little arms to the beat and making both of his admirers laugh.
Speaking of admirers, an attractive man I didn’t recognize approached us, congratulating me on my marriage then asking Cinda to dance.
“Oh, no thank you,” my friend said. “I’m afraid all my dances tonight are promised to this handsome gentleman.”
She gestured to AJ, who ran over and wrapped his short arms around her knees possessively. Smiling at the stranger, Cinda said, “Enjoy the party.”
The man nodded and gave her a tight-lipped smile before leaving, obviously disappointed. I couldn’t blame him for his interest.
Men had been staring at Cinda all night. She looked gorgeous in the frothy pink designer gown that served as her maid of honor dress.
Her blonde hair was up in a chignon, and she wore a pair of my diamond earrings that sparkled like stars in the romantic low lighting of the antique crystal chandeliers and wall sconces.
“You’re a great mom,” I said to her when AJ had gone back to the dance floor and resumed his performance. “But you can’t let that be yourwholelife.”
“I also run a company,” Cinda reminded her.
“Right. I know. And you do it incredibly well. I’m just saying, maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to say ‘yes’ to some fun once in a while… like when a handsome man asks you to dance, or to dinner, or to lunch. You’re the most loving person I’ve ever met. You should let someone love you too.”
Cinda’s nose wrinkled in distaste at the notion. “I already had love—with Alex. Look where that got me.”
I looked around. “I don’t know… things aren’t so bad. You have an amazing kid. You’re at a ball in a glamourous mansion, looking like a princess. All you need is a crown.”
Cinda laughed. “Ha. Asif.I do wish my mom could have been here to see this night. She would have been in her glory. She loved you. And you know how she loved fairy tales. But I’m more like the “before” picture of Cinderella than a princess. Speaking of… wherearemy stepmother and my stepsisters?”
Cinda and I had bonded in high school over our respective “wicked” stepmothers.
Mine was doing time now in a low security prison, but Cinda’s stepmother, Julia, had made sure to finagle an invitation for herself and her two biological daughters to the reception, convinced it would be the perfect place to find “quality” matches for them—which of course was code for “rich husbands.”
“I haven’t seen them in the past hour or so,” I said, a smile growing on my face. “But Idosee a handsome prince heading this way.”
Hunter reached us and presented each of us with a glass of champagne.
“Hello ladies. Has my bride had enough dancing already?” he asked me.
“I haven’t, but my feet have. I think I need to rest for a while.”
A mischievous gleam entered those entrancing turquoise eyes. “You know, I think I might know the perfect place. Have you ever toured the second level of this mansion?”
Lowering his voice, he said, “There are some very dark, very private rooms upstairs, just right for resting—or stealing avery longkiss.”
Then Hunter pushed my hair back from my ear and whispered what would comeafterthe kissing.
A tide of scarlet heat rose from my chest to my hairline, and other more intimate parts of my anatomy were growing rather warm as well.
Cinda laughed as she took AJ’s hand and started leading her son away. “I think we’ll go check out the dessert table. Want a piece of cake, buddy?”
With a hand on the small of my back, Hunter urged me to walk with him toward the staircase to the second floor.
“Wait—you weren’t serious,” I said, blushing instantly as my pulse picked up speed.
