She knocked on the door and then fidgeted as she waited forsomeone to answer. She wouldn’t have even come if Brent hadn’t called her thismorning and begged her. But that wasn’t totally true. The prospect of startingsomething new had pushed her to make an appearance as well. After the miserableday she’d had at her parents’ house, a nice hot bath and a movie sounded somuch better tonight. They were in the process of downsizing, and she’d beenthere most of the day, which meant they were pawning off their unneeded crap onEmma and her brothers.
She had enough crap of her own she hadn’t dealt with since lastyear when she’d moved out of the house she’d shared with Amy. The move had beenher choice, to a certain degree. The other woman had just made it happen soonerthan she’d expected.
When the door swung open, she was met with scowling blue eyes.“You’re late.”Grace planted her hands on her hips.
She shoved the gift into Grace’s stomach. “Brent said any timeafter seven.”
“Within reason.” Grace twisted her wrist to check her watch. “It’salmost nine.”
“Listen, Grace. I’ve had a tough day, so can you save your satirefor later?” It would be nice if the woman could cut her a break once in awhile.
“Fine.” Grace slammed the door behind her. “Brent’s out back.”
“Thanks…for nothing,” Emma said under her breath as she movedtoward the crowded living room. The doorbell rang immediately, and Emma glancedover her shoulder to observe a man at the door. Grace gave him the half-grinand trademark two-beat laugh that flew from her lips when she was flirting. Ugh. It wasclearly only Emma who spiked Grace’s anger.
She hated going to these things without a date, but if she’dbrought someone along, she’d be attached to them by the hip all night. That wasa pain in the ass at a work party as well. She’d promised Brent she would meetDex, and if they didn’t click, she’d just leave. As it was, unless this girlwas able to keep her from falling asleep on her feet, Emma was already planningto put in the minimal courtesy hour and then bolt. She definitely wasn’t in themood for Grace’s shit. She’d never understood what Brent saw in her. She was aspoiled princess who always seemed to get what she wanted, including Brent.They musthave really hot sex.
She pushed open the sliding glass door and stepped out onto thedeck. She spotted Brent across the way leaning back casually against therailing talking to a tall, muscular woman wearing jeans and a pale-greencable-knit sweater. As she moved closer, a smile broke onto Brent’s face.
“Hey, Em. I’m glad you made it.”
The woman whom he’d been talking to turned her head, and Emma wascaught by gorgeous green eyes centered with vivid yellow sunbursts. Dex. Shecouldn’t help but stare for just a moment before she forced herself to swerveher gaze to Brent.
“Sorry I’m late. It’s been a long day.”
As he pulled her into a hug, Dex created some distance betweenthem and started to turn. “Hang on a minute,” he said, and swung Emma around,tucking her under his arm. “Have you guys met?” He pointed from Emma to Dex andback again. “This is my best bud, Emma.” He looked at Emma and pointed to Dex.“This is Grace’s best bud, Dex.”
“Well, that must be hell.” Emma couldn’t interpret Dex’sexpression, so she quickly held out her hand. “Sorry. Inside joke.”
“She does have her moments,” Dex said with a laugh and took herhand. “Nice to meet you.”
Passedround one. Emma was already intrigued.
Brent removed himself from between the two of them. “Can I get youtwo something to drink?”
“A beer would be great,” Emma said.
Dex lifted hers to the light, checking the level. “Make that two.”
“I’ll be right back.” He took off toward the cooler in the cornerof the deck.
Emma tried to let Dex start the conversation, but she seemed to befloundering, so she took the lead. “You were the maid of honor at theirwedding, right?” She probably should’ve stayed away from the subject, but shehad to know if Dex remembered what had happened. “How long have you knownGrace?”
“It seems like forever.” She chuckled. “I think I was twelve whenshe first rescued me from the mean-girl firing range.”
“Wow, that’s a long time. The two of you must be really close.”
“Here you are, ladies.” Brent handed them each a beer andimmediately left the conversation.
They watched Brent walk across the deck to a group of guys. “Notas close as we used to be since Brent came into the picture, but close enough.”
“I’ve known him for a while. On the scale of pain in the asses,he’s about a four.” She turned to Dex and winked.
“It’s always good to know the rankings.” Dex smiled and lifted herbeer. “To new friends.”
Emma clinked hers against it and smiled. “To new friends.” The twoof them were going to get along just fine.
By the time Emma finished her beer, the conversation had beennonstop, and her stomach actually ached from laughing so much. Dex had a uniqueway of choosing a person from the crowd and creating a personality for them.Oddly enough, she was spot-on with most of the people Emma knew at the party.She had a wickedly odd sense of humor that Emma thoroughly appreciated.
“You want another beer?” Dex asked.
“No. I’d better not. I’ve already had a long day, and I’m afraidanother one might put me under.” Damn, she shouldn’t have said that. Dex’ssmile seemed to falter. She didn’t want her to think she’d been boring. Infact, Dex had been the total opposite. Emma hadn’t had this much fun in a longtime and, surprisingly, wasn’t quite ready to leave her company yet. “A cup ofcoffee would be nice.”
Dex’s eyes seemed to brighten. “I brought them a French press as ahousewarming gift tonight, so I can make you one with it.”
“Awesome.” She followed Dex inside. “Their house is beautiful.”
“It is. Have you seen the whole thing?”
She shook her head. “No. I came straight to the deck when I gothere.”
“Well, let me get you
