“He’s out of nearly everyone’s league. Unless you’re a supermodel, sports star or a celebrity.”
Jenny was right, and Claire considered how earlier she’d imagined Linc was attracted to her. What a ridiculous misconception that had been.
“Linc has nothing to do with my disinterest in hitting the dating scene,” Claire said. “I’m just not ready.”
“But you have a little crush on him.”
Why deny it? “Well, of course. I’d have to be dead not to. But where he’s concerned, I have my head on straight.”
Five
The dinner party dissolved around ten o’clock with most of the guests departing for The Lucky Mojo, a rooftop bar featuring Cuban jazz music and salsa dancing. It was a favorite spot for their group of friends, who often ended the night there.
To Linc’s surprise, Knox chose to stick around and join him poolside for a cigar and a glass of Glenmorangie Signet. Roses, hydrangea and freshly mowed grass scented the November evening. A cool breeze sifted through the crepe myrtle and palm fronds that provided shade for the private garden during the day.
“Nice party,” Knox commented, nodding toward the lights still shining in the kitchen.
“Except for Austin and Roy,” Linc countered. “Any idea why they were acting like complete assholes tonight?”
“Roy has a thing for Della Jefferson.” Knox enjoyed dishing on their friends and could be called on for all the latest drama. “But Austin got there first.”
Austin had the money, looks and social position to have any woman in Charleston and used the triple threat to score as often as possible. Roy was an engineer from Savannah who’d gone to work with Boeing straight out of grad school. He liked to party and had been introduced to Austin, Knox and Linc after his attempt to pick up Sawyer at Burns Alley on King Street had met with devastating failure.
“Got to her as in slept with?” Linc rolled his eyes. “Didn’t he know Roy took her out to dinner last week?”
“You know how Austin is. A different girl every night.” Knox smirked. “He probably didn’t even remember Della’s name the next morning.”
Linc considered that and wondered when Austin would stop acting like a frat boy. The guy was turning thirty. It was time to slow down.
“Do you think Roy is really into her?” Linc quizzed. “Or is he just pissed that Austin cut in on him again?”
Knox shrugged. “Between the two of them, Roy and Austin have slept their way through most of the eligible women in Charleston. I’ve never known either of them to get territorial before.”
“Then maybe Roy does like her.” Linc pondered the changes in their group dynamic as each of his friends began to settle down. “Speaking of people hooking up and/or dating, do you have any idea who Sawyer is seeing?”
Knox didn’t miss a beat. “No. As far as I know, she isn’t seeing anyone.”
“That surprises me.” Linc puffed on his cigar and stared at his friend. Had Knox’s response been too carefully casual? “Usually you know everything that’s going on with our circle.”
“She hasn’t said anything to me.”
Linc considered this. Would Sawyer confide in Knox? She’d always viewed Linc’s friends as a group of party boys, despite the fact that they all had successful careers. And she was right. Work hard and play hard. That was their motto.
“I thought maybe you’d heard something. You two cross paths all the time, know the same people. I can’t imagine she could keep everyone from knowing.”
Knox shook his head. “Have you asked her?”
“She told me to mind my own business.”
“Shouldn’t you do that?”
“I can’t. She’s seeing someone and doesn’t want anybody to know. That piques my curiosity.”
More than anything, Linc wanted Sawyer to be happy. It worried him that she was seeing someone and refused to come clean about the guy. What was wrong that she felt compelled to keep him a secret?
“Your sister is an intelligent, savvy woman. She doesn’t need you playing interfering older brother.”
“I didn’t realize you were such a fan of my sister.” Linc narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Are you seeing someone?”
“No.”
“Have you ever considered dating Sawyer? You two have a lot in common, and I could think of worse brothers-in-law than you.”
“Brother-in-law?” Knox looked shocked. “I’m not going to marry Sawyer. What is going on with you? Man, you need to get laid. Stop worrying about everyone else’s love life and get one of your own.”
Getting one of his own was what he was trying to avoid at the moment. Had he really almost kissed Claire earlier? The temptation to slide his fingers around the back of her neck and pull her close had almost overwhelmed him. The arrival of the waitstaff had happened about ten seconds too soon.
Linc shook free of the memory. “What’s wrong with Sawyer?” he demanded, getting the topic back where he wanted it.
“Nothing. She’s fantastic.”
“But you wouldn’t consider dating her?”
“I...” Knox trailed off, eyes wide as he contemplated Linc. “Why are you trying to fix me up with Sawyer?”
“I know you’d treat her well.”
“What makes you assume that?”
“Because you know how protective I am of her and that would make you work damned hard to be sure she’s the happiest woman on the planet.”
“That is exactly why I’d never get involved with your sister. You are such a jerk to every guy she dates. No one is ever good enough. If she is seeing someone, it’s no wonder she’s keeping it a secret.”
“I hate secrets,” Linc said, thinking about how his father’s unwillingness to come clean about his bad business deals had caused him to sink deeper and deeper into trouble. “Nothing good comes of keeping the truth hidden no matter how bad it is.”
“You should talk,” Knox said, his tone loading the words with significance.
“What do you mean?”
“Your housekeeper?”
The sharpness of Knox’s tone penetrated Linc’s good mood. “What are you talking about?”
“Tonight at dinner. I saw the way you looked at
