Rick turned to see his parents were standing behind them.
“This is Lessa Lawrence,” he replied.
His mother smiled and held out her hand. “How nice to meet you, Lessa.”
“Lawrence,” said his father, shaking her hand. “Any relationship to Howard Lawrence?”
“I’m his daughter.”
“You’re the one,” his mother said, then looked at Rick. It was obvious by his mother’s confusion that the only thing she had heard about Lessa was that she was a pain in the neck. Lessa smiled sweetly.
Rick felt the need to explain. “Lessa and I have a meeting later on. It makes sense to bring her here.”
“I see,” his father said. “Well, welcome, Lessa. It’s very nice to meet you. You’re so much younger and prettier than I imagined. Rick, you didn’t do her justice.” His father winked. “He told me you were pretty but he didn’t say you were a knockout.”
Her heart did a little flip as Rick winced. Rick had told them she was pretty?
As his parents walked away, Rick looked at his watch. “I think it’s time to go.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said with a smile. “We haven’t even eaten yet. Besides, you don’t have to entertain me. I’m perfectly fine by myself. Go be with your family.”
A woman in a red bridesmaid dress came barreling their way. “Rick? Rick Parker! How have you been? I’m Jane Turner, remember?”
Rick shot the woman a grin that Lessa recognized immediately. Rick had no idea who the woman was.
“Would you dance with me?” she asked.
He glanced at Lessa, looking for help.
“Oh,” the woman said, her face dropping. “Is this your date? I’m sorry. I thought your sister said you were coming alone.”
“I’m not his date,” Lessa said quickly. She turned to Rick. “Go ahead. Take your time. I’m fine.”
Giving her a pained look, he walked to the dance floor with Jane Turner. Lessa went to the ladies’ room and found Rick’s newly married sister in there alone, struggling with her dress.
“Let me help,” Lessa offered.
“You’re Rick’s date,” Susan said with a smile. “I’m so glad he brought you. How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“Actually, we’re not really seeing each other. We work together. We have a meeting later today and it made sense to go directly from here.” Before his sister could say anything, Lessa added, “I’m so glad I could be here, though. It was a lovely wedding.”
“You’re not seeing each other?” his sister asked suspiciously.
“Not technically.”
His sister laughed. “Technically, huh? I saw the way he was looking at you. He appears quite smitten.”
“We’ve only spent a couple of days together.”
“So? I only met my husband three months ago. My mother married my father only six weeks after meeting him. Fast courtships are a family tradition. When Rick was engaged before, he proposed after only…” Her voice trailed off as she looked at Lessa. “You did know he was engaged before, right?”
Lessa nodded.
Susan smiled. “You see? I knew you were special. He must really care for you if he told you about Karen.” She sighed and said, “We were all so worried about him after Karen’s accident. He just withdrew from everything. Fortunately, he found that job. It was just what he needed. Or at least we thought so at the time. With him traveling to all those exotic locales, we felt certain he’d come home one day with a bride. But he hasn’t dated anyone seriously since.”
“Really? His reputation is as such a Don Juan.”
“Oh, yeah. And he is, don’t get me wrong. But I don’t think all these casual relationships are what he really wants. He’s like a nomad, wandering the earth. He’s never around for family birthdays or holidays. He just gives a hundred percent to his job.” She squinted her eyes. “Lessa Lawrence… Wait a minute. Aren’t you the one who fired him?”
Uh-oh. “Yes. I was…well, not happy with what happened to my father.”
“Rick felt bad about your dad. I remember him talking about it. But I don’t think he had much to do with it, if that makes you feel any better. He told us that they were going to fire him whether or not he took over.”
“I’m not sure of the details,” Lessa said. She didn’t want to get into this with his sister, that was certain.
“I bet you can find out. A lot of the board members are still there, right?”
They were and Lessa had done her best to check Rick’s story. The board members she had spoken to had all told her the same thing. If Rick hadn’t been there, they wouldn’t have fired her father. “I would like to believe that he didn’t have much to do with it,” Lessa said. “But the truth of the matter is that he didn’t stop it either.”
“Did he have the power to stop it?” his sister asked. “From what I remember, they had already made their decision by the time they told him.” She took Lessa’s hand. “In any case, please don’t hold it against him. I know he didn’t want to hurt your father, or you, for that matter. He was numb back then, still reeling from Karen’s death. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken the job, but we all make mistakes, don’t we? I’ve made my share.” She leaned forward and said conspiratorially, “I was married before. It didn’t work out, though. Have you ever been married?”
“Me?” Lessa laughed. “No.”
“What’s so funny?”
Why was she laughing? Because she had not even had a serious boyfriend. She couldn’t very well go from not dating to getting married. “The concept of me having a serious boyfriend is funny, I guess.”
“You and Rick sound like you’re perfect for each other.”
“I’m not like Rick,” she said quickly. “I have the opposite situation. I rarely date.”
“But you’re dating Rick.”
“Am I? I don’t think so.”
“You’re dating. You’re here, aren’t you? I would bet you that he cares about you more than he’s admitted. He never brings anyone to meet us.”
“But we have to go to Florida-”
“Mumbo jumbo. He’s had other meetings and inconvenient family obligations. He still never brought anyone.”
There was a banging on the door. “Susan?”
“That’s my husband,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “Isn’t he cute? Have you met him?”
“Yes. He seems very nice.”
“Susan?” they heard again. “What in the world are you doing?”
She smiled and grabbed Lessa’s hand. “Come on. Let me introduce you to the rest of the family.”
Rick sat at the table, nervously looking around for Lessa. He had a feeling she was in trouble, and his fears were confirmed when he saw her arm in arm with his sister. He watched as Susan took Lessa’s hand and proceeded to lead her smack into a group of cousins, introducing them one by one.
Rick’s younger brother saw the interaction and laughed. “We’re all intrigued by your mystery woman. Why didn’t you tell us you were bringing someone?”
“Because I didn’t realize it until this morning. And besides, she’s not a date. She’s a coworker.”
“Sure,” he said sarcastically. “This is me, Russell, your brother. I don’t need the party line. Now, how long have you been seeing her?”
“She’s the chairman of the board.”
“Kind of young to be chairman of the board.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“She’s beautiful. And smart. And rich.” Russell glanced at Rick again. “And she’s not yours?”
“I already answered that question.”
“So…you don’t mind if I ask her to dance?”
“No,” Rick said, his jaw tightening.
Susan came over, pulling Lessa by the hand. “Lessa and I were just getting acquainted.”
“I think it’s my turn,” Russell said. He smiled at Lessa and said, “Would you like to dance?”
“I’d love to,” Lessa said, accepting his arm.
As his brother led her to the dance floor and the two began moving to the music, Rick couldn’t help but notice the way Lessa was smiling at Russell, as if she were actually enjoying herself. And his brother… Well, hell, he looked like he couldn’t be happier. And why wouldn’t he be? Rick remembered the way it felt to hold Lessa in his arms, to have her delicate arms wrapped around his neck. The way her breasts had felt against his chest.