Page 38 of One Hot Deal

This is Hugh and Avery's wedding week.It would be rude to refuse the invitation."Yes, I'll join the others."

Kendall insists on walking me out of the house and onto the large mowed lawn, where everyone has gathered and a cricket pitch has been created on the grass.I thank Kendall for accompanying me, and he gives me a crisp nod, then trots back into the house.

Chairs have been set up along this side of the lawn, so everyone who is not participating in the match can watch in comfort.I have never enjoyed sports of any kind, but especially not cricket.It's the most boring game.But I will pretend to care who does the best job of whacking the ball, and I will pretend to give a toss about who wins.Every man on the pitch is a friend of mine.I can't reasonably be expected to choose a side.

Off to my left, well away from the adults, I see Pippa and the other children sitting at the patio table playing some sort of board game.

"Glad you could join us," Hugh shouts while waving at me.

"You don't have enough players for a match."

"No, but this is just for fun today.The real match will be tomorrow, after the reinforcements have arrived."

Hugh turns his attention to Derek and Rupert, the only other men on the lawn.They seem to be having a serious discussion, probably about how to play cricket with only three men.They're wearing everyday clothes rather than official cricket gear.

"Come sit with me, Diana."

Avery is sitting on a lawn chaise with a drink in her hand.She pats the chaise beside hers.

I accept her invitation and settle onto the seat."Is that a rhubarb cordial you're drinking?"

"Yes.Kendall suggested it, and that man is always right about drinks and food."Avery takes a sip."Mm, this is super yummy.I got one for you too."

She reaches under her chaise and brings out another glass.

I take the drink and sip it."Yes, it is lovely.The best rhubarb cordial I've ever had."

"Why do you think Rosalyn keeps Kendall around?He's a treasure."

As I take another sip, my gaze wanders to the lawn and the men gathered there.Derek glances this way but studiously avoids looking at me.I can't blame him.Our argument left me feeling uneasy, and he was quite angry about what I said.Though I feel a strong urge to apologize to him, I won't do that.We have a deal.He shouldn't get angry because I reminded him of the parameters.

My skin starts to itch again.Bloody hell.

I do not feel bad about what happened.I don't.

Derek finally aims his gaze at me—and scowls.Then he grabs a cricket bat and starts swinging it around as if he means to whack an invisible ball.Hugh says something to him, and Derek bows his head, no longer swinging his bat wildly.He nods twice.Hugh pats his arm.

Derek needs consoling?No, it must have been something else.Hugh might have been explaining the rules of the game to Derek.Oh yes, that makes perfect sense.

"Something happened," Avery says."Between you and Derek.He's upset."

"We had a minor disagreement.It's nothing.You know how sensitive men can be."

"Not Derek.He's rock solid."

She loves her brother, so of course she views him as rock solid.It's my fault he isn't behaving that way now.I raise my glass and down half the contents.And then I start coughing.I lean forward, but that does not help.

Avery slaps my back several times until I've stopped coughing."Better?"

"Yes, thank you."My hoarse voice belies that assertion, but Avery has the good sense not to press me for an explanation."I think I'll go back into the house.It's rather warm for me out here."

That's rubbish, but Avery accepts my excuse.

I go upstairs to my room, but then I can't remember why I came up here.To escape, that's why.I've made a ruddy mess of everything, and I don't know why I've done that.Well, I might have a clue.But every time I try to think about that, my mind rebels and spurs me to say and do things I shouldn't.

Someone knocks on the bedroom door.

I can't move.

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