Page 38 of Coulda

“Thank you,” Harper whispered.

“I’ll be in a think tank with a bunch of brainiacs who consume too many energy drinks,” Maisie informed them drily.

“Maisie, how far are you from the Capitol building?”

“No one lives in DC. I’m in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s a quick drive if you commute at four in the morning,” she joked.

“I don’t suppose you have a room to rent if I win the election?” Beau asked in a very normal tone that caught everyone’s attention.

“A room to rent?” Maisie echoed, staring at Beau as if he’d grown a second head.

“I’m moving in with Rio,” Amber announced, taking the heat off Beau.

“Really?” Harper squeaked. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re working at the hospital.”

“I’ll maintain a home here and spend time here when we are on breaks,” Beau pointed out. “The only person who won’t be officially living in town will be Maisie. I think she could do her think tank thing here.”

“Lots of people are doing things remotely,” Colt pointed out.

“Slow down, everyone. I have no intention of moving back to this judgy town. No matter if I create a cure for the common cold or grow a fully functional human heart, I’ll always be the trailer trash from the wrong side of the tracks,” she said, smoothing the elegantly fitted cocktail dress into place.

“Looks like she’s going to be a challenge,” Colt suggested.

“Definitely,” Beau confirmed.

Maisie glared at her two grinning friends in an epic stare down. It shouldn’t have been a challenge with Maisie having to divide her time between the two men, but she held her own. No one could ever accuse Maisie of not being spunky.

“Perhaps you should come back to visit more often,” Beau suggested softly.

“I don’t remember this hunk being part of our class. Were you, like, the shop teacher?” a familiar catty voice asked.

Everyone turned to consider the unpleasant woman who had joined them. Miranda was determined to maintain the status quo from high school. Unfortunately for her, everyone else had moved on.

“I’m assuming you’re referring to me?” Rio asked. “I never attended Avondale High School.”

“I didn’t think so. I would have remembered you,” Miranda assured him, moving closer.

Bristling, Amber opened her mouth to say something, but Rio simply pulled her a bit closer to his side and patted her hip. His focus on her didn’t please Miranda. Thank goodness, their class president chose that moment to welcome everyone and ask people to take their seats.

“Do not allow others’ unhappiness to affect your life,” Rio whispered into her ear as he assisted Amber into her chair at the table. A light kiss against her temple reinstated her good mood.

After an unremarkable banquet meal, the band started to play, and Rio stood to offer his hand to Amber. She hesitated, looking at the empty dance floor, not wanting to be the center of attention. When Beau and Colt stood as well, Amber nodded at the other women, offering encouragement, and stood.

As she stepped onto the parquet floor, Rio swept her elegantly into his arms. Skillfully leading her into a simple pattern of steps that she grew more confident in following, Rio made her feel like a fairy princess.

“Is there anything you don’t do well?” she asked.

“My Italian is atrocious,” he admitted.

“But your French is skilled, hmm?” Amber teased.

“Fairly good. I went to Paris when I left Avondale. My mother’s family still lives there. I bartended at night and took accounting classes during the day,” he shared.

“Really?” she asked, filing this away to ask for more details. Rio was such a complex person. Would she ever know everything about him?

A thought bounced into her mind. “You work for the De Leon banks now. Avondale is too small for a branch here, I’d guess.”

“Yes. Like Maisie, I do much of my work online, but I will have several onsite visits to make throughout the year. Depending on your work schedule, you’ll have to join me,” he suggested.

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