“I just think that’s the best route to go.”
Maxwell checked back into the conversation at the tail end of it. He had no idea what the man was talking about, and really didn’t care, but improvised an answer. “You might be right, but it’s always good to look at all of your options.” He tapped the balding too-soon-for-his-age man on his shoulder. “I see someone I need to connect with before they leave. We’ll talk more about this later.” Maxwell saw his opportunity to speak with Robyn, and he wasn’t going to let it slip away. It was the first time she’d been alone all evening.
*****
Was there anybody from Romona High School that Robyn hadn’t spoken to? It was as if she had run into almost the entire student body of her graduating class. She’d smiled so much her face hurt.
“Did you ever meet Leo DiCaprio? He’s so hot!” Carla DePaul, a classmate who had never spoken to Robyn once that she could remember, but now claimed they were the best of friends, seemed to hold her breath waiting for an answer.
This was exactly why Robyn hated coming to events like this. She took a drink of her champagne before responding. She’d met Leo a couple of times, and he was a real sweetheart. The honest answer would keep her talking about him for the next hour. Lie, and she might be able to move on. “Leo? Umm . . . I may have met him in passing, but I don’t remember.” It wasn’t an outright lie, but it was completely unbelievable. Who the hell would forget meeting Leo? Apparently, it worked on Carla.
Her lips drooped, but though disappointed, she was on the verge of asking another question.
“Carla? Can I steal Robyn for a minute?” Eva appeared out of nowhere just in the nick of time, saving her from stabbing herself in the throat. “There are a few people I’d like to introduce our girl to.” She smiled brightly, looped her arm through Robyn’s, and pulled her away before she received an answer. When they were out of earshot, Eva leaned over and whispered to Robyn, “I saw Carla accost you about ten minutes ago but couldn’t get away until now.”
Robyn turned her glass all the way up and drained it. “I don’t think one drink is going to be enough.” They walked through the crowd arm in arm.
“Be careful. You were never good at holding your liquor.”
“I’ll be careful because I plan to leave as soon as I meet the owners of this house. Where the hell are they anyway?”
“They are not here yet.”
“I thought you said they were on their way.”
“I did. I can only assume the weather slowed them down.”
A mischievous glint appeared in Eva’s eyes. “What if I told you that you have an admirer who has been checking you out all evening?”
“I’d say I’m tired as hell and not interested. Please, no matchmaking tonight. I just don’t have it in me to be polite.”
“What if he’s panty-melting hot?”
“I’d say, where’s your own husband? And, keep your panties on.”
“You know I’d never cheat on Jesse. He takes care of me in all ways. But you’re single and according to you, haven’t gotten laid in over a year. Turn around and smile or wave or something. He might make you rethink that craziness of celibacy.”
Robyn didn’t turn to look.
“C’mon. I promise . . . you won’t regret it. Oh yes, he’s definitely checking you out. He’s talking to some big shot but staring directly at you. He’s standing to your right.” Eva nodded her head in that direction.
“Not interested.” She was about to break her one drink minimum. “Where are the servers with the champagne when you need them?” Robyn craned her head around looking for the platter with the tall flutes of bubbly on it.
Eva spoke through her smile as he spotted her looking at him. “I should walk you over. It’s the polite thing to do.”
“No, we should find me another drink. Excuse me!” Robyn finally saw a man carrying a tray of champagne and did her best to get his attention. She held up her hand, noticing, he made his way over. She picked up a glass and didn’t waste any time taking a big long gulp. The fresh and crisp taste sang a melody on her tongue. She needed that. For about thirty seconds everything and everyone melted away.
“Uh-oh.”
Robyn froze. “What?”
“I think it’s too late.”
“Too late for what?”
“He’s definitely headed this way. You’ve got about thirty seconds before he gets here.”
Robyn groaned then leaned over and whispered into Eva’s ear. “I swear if it’s Larry Johnston, I’ll hang you by your lightly colored pink toenails.”
“Larry only wished he was this sexy. God, even his walk is scrumptious. You’ll see in about ten more seconds.”
“I knew I should have left . . .” Robyn said under her breath, then turned. She stopped talking in mid-sentence.
Their eyes connected.
With just a glance, she was rendered speechless. Her heart skipped a beat, and her knees went weak. Weak knees. That had never happened before.
Robyn tried to swallow but her mouth was incredibly dry, and her body was tense. She gripped the champagne glass as if it were a lifeline. She suddenly felt hot all over and could only hope the heat didn’t show on her face.
The crowd seemed to part like the Red Sea. It was as if he approached her in slow motion. Oh, God was Robyn’s immediate reaction when she
