Honor

Chapter 45

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

E vie

I didn’t realize how much I missed driving until I got behind the wheel of this luxury SUV. The emblem on the front of the hood says it all. This Mercedes is equipped with all the bells and whistles, including a sound system that would put the biggest rock band in the world’s concert setup to shame.

Lottie was in charge of music, so she blasted the playlist from her phone through the SUV’s speakers as we charged down the highway within the legal speed limit.

She encouraged me to “put the pedal to the metal,” but I don’t need a speeding ticket. Besides, I enjoyed the drive with the window rolled down and the fresh air flooding my lungs.

Lottie wanted to turn on the air conditioning, but I insisted we cool the car down old school style.

She got on board as soon as the wind whipped a few strands of her hair against her cheek. This may have been one of the few times I’ve seen her relax since we met.

I know that planning the wedding has taken a lot out of her. I suspect that has more to do with the fact that her family isn’t in the picture to offer not only physical help but emotional support, too.

“It’s the first house on the left,” she says, even though the only house in clear view looks like a mansion from a magazine.

“We’re staying there?” I steer the SUV toward the long, winding driveway. “Lottie, this is breathtaking.”

“I’ll say.” She lets out a light laugh. “Randall said it was nice, but that’s the understatement of the century.”

Pulling further into the driveway, I spot a black BMW parked in front of the garage. “Is that the host’s vehicle? Are they here to greet us and give us a mansion tour?”

Her face lights up with a smile. “A host? What do you mean?”

“It’s a vacation rental,” I point out the obvious. “It’s someone’s house, right? I assume they hired a company to handle the rentals. Is there a representative meeting us here to hand over the keys for the weekend?”

Her gaze trails over my face before I turn away to focus on parking next to the BMW.

As soon as I’ve killed the engine, I unbuckle my seat belt and turn to find her doing the same. She skims a hand over her hair to smooth it out. “I think that car belongs to one of Randall’s friends.”

My stomach drops like a lead balloon. “What?”

She doesn’t glance in my direction, so she misses out on the shocked expression I’m certain is on my face. “Randall and most of his friends came up this afternoon on one of those party bus things, but he said another friend, Johnny, or Jimmy, or something with a J was driving.”

I rest my head against the seat and close my eyes briefly. “I see.”

“I did mention that Randall and his friends would be here, right?”

I open my eyes to see her staring at me with perked brows. “You didn’t.”

“Oh, shit.” She chuckles. “I’m sorry, Evie. It’s a combined bachelor and bachelorette party. I’ve met a couple of his friends. They’re nice guys. One is married, but his wife is away with her sister for the weekend, so she’s not here.”

I nod. “Okay.”

“Another is long distance with a girl in Maryland, so he’s off limits.” She winks. “I think the others are single, and of course, there’s Reid, so…”

My heart thunders in my chest. “Mr. Hunt is here?”

She glances at the diamond-encrusted watch circling her wrist. “It’s way past quitting time, Evie. He’s Reid. Just Reid.”

He’s not just Reid.

He’s my boss and the man I haven’t stopped thinking about kissing since I misheard him days ago when we talked about Magnus.

As much as I kind of wish Reid had asked if I’d kiss a man like him, I know my ears were playing tricks on me. Still, it’s been impossible not to imagine what his lips would feel like pressed against mine.

“Earth to Evangeline.” Lottie brushes a hand over my shoulder. “Let’s get inside and get this weekend started.”

I’m tempted to end the weekend now by racing away in this rental as soon as she’s out of the car, but she’s counting on me to be here for her, so I need to do it.

Taking a deep breath, I open the car door. “Let’s go.”

I thought the exterior of this house was impressive, but it has nothing on the interior.

I’m no expert, but if pressed, I’d label the design style as modern. The wood floors are stained in a light tone. The walls are all painted white. The vaulted ceilings feature large wooden beams that take the eye on a journey toward a series of skylights.

The furnishings are a mix of beige, blue, and white tones. Lush bouquets of white flowers are scattered throughout the space in clear vases. Candles are burning nearby, filling the air with the unmistakable scent of vanilla.

It’s a welcoming space, and if the rest of this home resembles the ambiance of the room I’m standing in, it might just be a slice of heaven on earth.

“Which one of these beautiful creatures is the soon-to-be Mrs. Fitzpatrick?” A dark haired man wearing only a pair of faded jeans approaches us.

He’s handsome in the sense that his hair is slightly mussed, and he has a top-notch five o’clock shadow happening. It’s impossible not to steal a peek at his rock hard abs since they’re on full display.

Lottie waves her left hand in the air. “That’s me. Soon, I’ll be Lottie Rushing-Fitzpatrick.”

The man takes her hand to plant a soft kiss on the top of it. “Pete Sabatino.”

She flashes him a wide smile before gesturing toward where I’m standing. “This is Evie Starling.”

His gaze wanders over to me. He glances at my cut-off denim shorts and the red T-shirt I threw on after work. I gathered my hair into a lopsided ponytail before I slid my bare feet into a pair of worn out leather sandals.

Pete drops her hand and takes mine to offer it the same treatment, but this time, his lips plant a series of soft kisses over the back of my hand until they reach my wrist. “I couldn’t help but notice you’re not wearing an engagement ring on your finger, Evie.”

“She’s single and eager to mingle,” Lottie says.

Eager to mingle? Since when?

“That makes two of us.” Pete smiles, and I admit it’s a good look for him. “Let’s share a drink on the beach later.”

I shrug because I’m not committing to anything or anyone. This was supposed to be a bachelorette weekend, not a place for me to hook up with a man.

Besides, my boss is supposedly here somewhere. Despite Pete’s good looks and undeniable charm, I’m still stuck on the idea of kissing Reid.

“Evangeline won’t have time for a drink on the beach later.”

I don’t need to look to the left to see who said that because I’d recognize that toe-curling voice anywhere since I hear it all day, almost every day.

Pete does glance at my boss. “Evangeline?”

“He calls her that because she works for him,” Lottie informs him.

He nods. “Randall mentioned something about the best man knowing the maid of honor. I didn’t realize it was a work thing.”

I finally look at Reid and find him staring at me.

“She’s not at work now,” Pete says to him. “So, you don’t get to dictate who she can have a drink with.”

He’s right, but there has to be a reason why Reid told him I wouldn’t have time for a drink later.

“A work issue came up,” Reid supplies that reason with an authoritative bite in his tone.

My mouth falls open. “What?”

His gaze trails over my face before it lands on my lips. “I need you to help me with a negotiation, Evangeline. It won’t take more than a couple of hours.”