Page 13 of Kiss Me at Midnight
“I know what I’m doing,” Jud said in a tone meant to end the discussion. “In order to garner financing, I need a girlfriend who is safe and mundane. There’s no one safer or more mundane than Lily Summer.”
“All right, but just remember that you’re going against my recommendation.” Darian had a hand over his heart, most likely to keep his tie in place, but it made his statement seem oddly sincere. “Be careful. I’ll pick you up Friday and expect an answer for the network.”
Jud lingered at the slip entrance long after Darian had left, thinking about the paths ahead of him. It was hard enough to make it in Hollywood as an actor, much less branch out into writing, directing or producing. Darian had guided Jud’s career from his teenage years through today. For that, Jud would be forever grateful. But it was increasingly clear that he and Darian weren’t on the same page. Or perhaps it was Jud’s father and uncle, the ones pushing him to direct, who weren’t on the same page as Jud. He felt torn.
A black stretch limo pulled up to the ramp.
Abe Cohen got out, dressed in khakis and a gray polo shirt. The wind flattened his spiked hair. He helped his daughter Rachel out of the far side of the car. The wind tossed her long red hair about before she caught it with one hand. Nearest to Jud, a very tall man unfurled himself, stretching his arms like an eagle about to take flight. His head was clean-shaven, and he wore a green silk button-down shirt over blue jeans and fancy sneakers.
The photographer snapped away at the new arrivals as they made their way to the ramp.
“Judson Hambly, my very own silver-tongued devil.” Rachel wore a teal bodycon dress and matching heels that weren’t made for seafaring. She strutted her way down the ramp without waiting for her father or her fiancé.
Jud knew women. From the way Rachel was taking him in, he was picking up vibes and they weren’t of the platonic variety. It was good for his mission here and yet the entire fiber of his being went on red alert.
Where was Lily? He needed her.
Rachel came to a halt in front of Jud and doled out air kisses that came with a suggestive whisper of hot air over each ear. “I’m so glad you agreed to be Paulo’s best man.” She ran her hands over Jud’s shoulders, squeezing his biceps the way a savvy shopper squeezed avocados at the market before buying.
Click-click-clickwent the photographer.
“Best man?” Jud managed to choke out. The Cohens really were scraping the bottom of the barrel for attendees. It was his turn to speak, but his instincts were urging him to flee.
Lily appeared next to Jud, looping her arm through his and drawing him a safe distance away from the touchy-feely bride. “I thought I saw you drive up, Rachel. Congratulations on your engagement. And thank you for the wedding invitation.We’rehonored to attend.” Lily said all the right things at all the right times.
“Lily Summer.” Rachel did a catty woman’s once-over of Lily, gaze lingering too long on her arm linked through Jud’s. “I saw you at the charity event last night. In fact, I saw both of you…Just not together.”
“We’d hoped to keep our relationship quiet a little bit longer.” Jud placed his hand over Lily’s cold one, grateful that she’d come to his rescue, wondering if a kiss was in order.
A kiss with Lily should always be in order.
That was nerves talking…wasn’t it?
The groom approached them with ground-eating strides. “I’m Paulo.” And then he smiled and said something in a foreign language.
Rachel tittered. “Isn’t he sweetness?”
“He is.” Lily agreed. She rattled off some words in a similar dialect, blushing slightly as she caught Jud’s eye. “I know enough Spanish to get by. I think Paulo’s speaking Portuguese. He says it’s lovely to meet so many good friends. He said Judson is a good man…an unusual man…no.” Lily beamed. “Thebestman.” And then she glanced at Jud with a question in her eyes.
“That’s me.” Best man for sale. A bargain at five million dollars.
Paulo rattled off another sentence or two, grinning at Lily.
“With so many good friends, it bodes well for my marriage, he says.” Lily continued to translate. She glanced at Rachel. “Do you speak Portuguese?”
Rachel shook her head, sidling next to Paulo. “We’ve always had our own special language.”
“The language of love?” Jud guessed, suppressing the urge to grin.
Rachel nodded. “We should get on board. We’ll have drinks in the main lounge as we embark, and my wedding planner will review our itinerary.” She sashayed up the gang plank on Paulo’s arm. “We dress up for dinner, Lily. I hope you packed accordingly.”
“Thanks for the rescue,” Jud whispered in Lily’s ear.
“I saw their limo arrive from the deck. I figured you might need an assist.” Lily shaded her eyes, watching the bride and groom ascend to the yacht. “From the way Rachel looked at me, I’ll need a rescue of my own. But from the way she looked at you…” Lily gave him a speculative look. “I think I know how to stop the wedding.”
“I don’t like that conniving look in your eyes.” It made him want to kiss her until a dreamier expression lit up her face.
“Conniving?” Lily stiffened. “We’re helping to get her back on track. It’s just… Tell me you lost sleep last night over this deal. Tell me…”
