Page 119 of Whiskey Lies

My irritation with my sister’s obvious dislike of Grace hits a nerve. Grace glances up and recognizes my sister and then Vanessa. Then she doubles back to look at me before finally responding. “Jay and I are old college friends. He’s a good man,” she says to Landry, avoiding my gaze.

Hanson leans down and kisses her on the cheek then shoots me a look. “The best of friends. This girl is a gem.”

She blushes again, and I’m so focused on her I don’t register Vanessa’s arm moving into my own. “Hey, Cash, do you want to go sit at our table?” she says far too loudly for her to act like it’s a personal question.

Grace bites her lip and looks between the two of us. There’s no way to get out of this, so I just take the coward’s way out. “Sure, right this way. I’ll see you all later.” I place my hand behind her back and lead her to the tent, feeling Grace’s gaze the entire walk back.

Chapter 43

Grace

Jonathan guides me to our table, but my eyes remain on the Jameses’ table the entire way. Tessa’s face contorts in regret when she sees me, Vanessa waves, and Cat glares. I don’t know what I ever did to that girl, but I’m beginning to get pissed. I don’t know her, and she most certainly doesn’t know me. Somehow, I know she’s behind Vanessa hanging on Cash’s every word and limb.

Cash’s jaw clenches as we make eye contact, but he breaks it before I do. He has some nerve to act like I’m the villain here. He knew I was coming with Hanson; I had no idea he was bringing Vanessa as his date. Jonathan’s whisper against my ear makes me pause. “It’s one night, Grace.”

I look up into his pleading eyes and nod, plastering a smile onto my face as we sit with his family. I’ve known the Hanson brothers since college. Garreth and Hayden are twins and incredibly good-looking. They both brought dates, and we settle into easy conversation.

Dinner is served, and Landry walks up as we finish eating, a grin on his face. “What a lovely looking table. Are you enjoying yourselves?”

He looks directly at me, and I smile. “The entire evening has been beautiful. Have you always lived in this town?”

When we drove past the sign welcoming us to Bristol, Rhode Island, this evening, I was absolutely shocked and my stomach just about bottomed out. I searched my clutch for my phone to warn Cash that the event was in Bristol, but came up empty. I’m guessing my phone is back at my apartment where I got ready for the evening. Completely useless to me.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that Cash would be here. He’d mentioned he had an event in Bristol tonight, and I knew he’d be gone all weekend. Suddenly, all the pieces started to fall together in my head. Sintac is the company he’s trying to win over. Hanson and James are competitors. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I just wanted to make everything up to Jonathan, not destroy Cash’s chances at this business endeavor. Now I’m stuck in this horrible position of wanting to help Jonathan and not wanting to hurt Cash.

“Since I was a boy,” he replies. “Do you like to dance, Grace?”

In the center of the tables is a wooden dance floor, and a band is set up to the side. They are just starting to play after taking a break during dinner. Jonathan answers for me, “Oh, Grace loves to dance.”

“You’ll have to join me for a dance then,” the old man says, holding out his hand. I excuse myself from the table as I follow Mr. Landry to the dance floor.

The chords to “Wonderful Tonight” play, and Mr. Landry takes one of my hands in his own and holds my back. There is more than enough space between our hips, and I appreciate that he is dancing with me like a grandfather rather than a rich old man. You know the difference when you see it and definitely when you feel it. He’s kind and I can see why everyone is fighting for his attention. “So how come all of the people in this room are vying for your attention?”

He smiles. “See, now I was just going to ask you that.”

A blush creeps up my cheeks as I spot Cash’s gaze on us. His eyes crinkle and he’s got a slight curve to his lips. “I think it’s just because I’m dancing with you,” I counter.

“They all want my money,” he replies matter-of-factly.

I laugh. “I’m sure it’s not as simple as that. There are plenty of very wealthy men in this room. There must be a reason they want to partner with your company.”

Mr. Landry looks at me, and I get the sense he’s sizing me up. “Jonathan is a lucky man.”

I make sure to speak clearly, “We are just friends.”

“And how do you know Cassius James?”

The story slips easily from my lips. “He was a client of mine. But his mother and my godmother were very close, so I suppose we are also old family friends.”

“A client?”

I nod. “I’m a matchmaker. I actually set him up on a date with the woman sitting next to him.”

“Oh, you must be very good at your job then.”

I glance in their direction and see Cash and Vanessa making their way to the dance floor. What is he doing? I’m trying to handle this the best I can, but he’s just making this worse. “I try to be,” I reply.

“Is Jonathan a client of yours as well?” he asks earnestly.

---