Page 55 of One Hot Deal

I should invent a nickname for Derek.Something sexier than Hugh's moniker.I'll need to think about that.

"Are you sure that wasn't Nick Hunter who caught the ball?"I ask."They are twins, after all."

"Oh, that was definitely Rick.Maddie jumped up and down when he made that catch, and I think his wife can tell the brothers apart."

"I'm sure you're right.I can't tell them apart, but apparently you can."

Avery gives my hand a squeeze."You just met them yesterday.It'll take time for you to sort out the twins."

I sit forward and crane my neck to see the players on the pitch."When will Derek have his turn as batsman?"

Avery touches my hand."I'm so glad you guys finally admitted you're a couple.That means we'll be sisters, eventually."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, pet.Derek and I have only just become a couple."

"But you've known each other longer than Hugh and I had when we said the L-word.I fell for him the day after we met, but I resisted those feelings at first."She squeezes my hand again."You guys have known each other for three months."

"Well, technically, yes."I resist the impulse to squirm in my chaise.I've handled recalcitrant clients without experiencing a trace of anxiety.Yet Avery's discussion of whatever feelings she believes Derek and I should be experiencing gives me an itchy sensation under my skin.

Two women approach us, halting near our chaises.The one who has toffee-brown hair slants toward me to hold out her hand."We haven't been properly introduced.I'm Serena MacTaggart, Logan's wife.He's the stepdad of my son, Chase.Pippa has been hanging out with him and Malina.She's the daughter of Iain and Rae MacTaggart."

A stranger has just thrown a cornucopia of names at me.I had noticed an older teenager talking to Pippa.When I glance around, I see another teenage girl has joined them.

The other woman, who has dark hair, comes up beside Serena to offer me her hand while cradling a toddler in her arms."I'm Keely MacTaggart, Evan's wife.This is our daughter, Joy.Serena and I wanted to welcome you to the fold."

"What fold?"I ask."I'm not the wife of a Scotsman."

"No, but you are like us—women who fell for men from other countries.We'd like to give you preemptive membership in the American Wives Club, British Branch, and our subcommittee, the Mature Wives Club."

"I've heard of the American Wives Club, thanks to Hugh and Avery.But no one mentioned a subcommittee.Are you lot forming your own country?"

Keely grins."Wouldn't it be amazing if we did?But no, we're just a group of like-minded people who want to help our friends and loved ones.Everyone we have helped thanked us in the end."

I can't help watching these women with a skeptical eye."How precisely do you 'help' them?"

"We meddle," Serena says."With love and our own kind of tact."

"I see.And what does your subcommittee do?"

"We just formed that subcommittee, so we'll need time to figure out how we can better serve the Club.But this new group consists of mature men and women.That means people over forty, like me and Keely.Oh, and Iain too."

"What about the Hunter boys?Aren't they in that age bracket as well?"

"Yes, they are.We haven't created an official roster yet."

I settle back in my chair."I can't join your club.I am not anyone's wife."

Avery wags her eyebrows."Not yet."

Good lord, these women are determined.I would admire that under any other circumstances, but not now.I arch my brows at Avery."When we met, you were a serious-minded professional who would never have joined such a barmy group."

"I still am a professional, and I take image consulting very seriously.But this is my wedding week.It's a time to cut loose, party hearty, and throw caution to the wind."

What about me makes her believe I will ever do those things?Perhaps I should do.If I can remember how to "throw caution to the wind."Have I ever done that before?It's doubtful.

A figure flies by, just missing Keely and Serena.They jump sideways, revealing the man who lies prone on the ground.Callum leaps up and brushes dirt and grass off his clothes.

"Pardon me, lasses," he says."I was trying to catch that ball before Lachlan could grab it, and I got a wee bit too enthusiastic about winning."

---