Not fancy, not so you felt like you couldnt rest your feet on the coffee table. Just classy. That was Bradley Vane, right down to the ground.
Conversation buzzed and hummed around her, and she was drifting into a happy coma brought on by good food, warmth, and contentment.
Or would, she thought, ifZoe would stop squirming beside her.
“Youre going to have to do something about those ants in your pants,” Dana told her.
“Sorry.”Zoe shot another look toward the archway. “Im just worried about Simon.”
“Why? He had a plate with enough food piled on it to feed a starving battalion, and hes hunkered down in the game room. A nine-year-oldswet dream.”
“Theres so much stuff in this house,”Zoe whispered. “Expensive stuff. Art and glassware and china and things . Hes not used to being around all of this.”
Neither am I, she thought, and struggled not to squirm again.
“What if he breaks something?”
“Well.” Lazily, Dana popped another raspberry into her mouth. “Then I guessBradll beat him to a bloody pulp.”
“He hits children ?”Zoe exclaimed.
“No. Jesus,Zoe , get a grip. The place has survived nine-year-old boys before—at least three of them are alive and in this room. Relax. Have a glass of wine. And while youre at it, get me some more raspberries.”
Half a glass,Zoe thought and got to her feet. But even as she reached for the bottle, Brad lifted it.
“You look a little distracted.” He poured the wine into a glass, handed it to her. “Is there a problem?”
“No.” Damn it, shed only wanted half a glass. Why didnt he stay out of her way? “I was just thinking I should check on Simon.”
“Hes fine. He knows where everything is in the game room. But Ill walk you back if you want to take a look,” Brad added when she frowned.
“No. Im sure hes fine. Its very nice of you to let him play.” She knew her voice was stiff and tight, but she couldnt help it.
“That, rumor has it, is what a game rooms for.”
Since Brads voice echoed her tone,Zoe simply nodded. “Um. Dana, she wanted some more. Of these.” Mortified for no reason she could name, she scooped some of the berries into a bowl, then carried them and her wine back to the couch. .
“Pompous ass,” she said under her breath and had Dana blinking at her.
“Brad?” Dana snatched the bowl of raspberries. “Sorry, honey, you got the wrong number.”
Jordan wandered over, sat on the arm of the couch beside Dana and stole a couple of berries before she could stop him.
“Get your own.”
“Yours are better.” He reached out to play with her hair. “So, howd you get this blond stuff in here?”
“I didnt.Zoe did.”
Nipping one more berry, he eased forward to look past Dana, wink atZoe . “Nice job.”
“Any time you need a haircut, its on the house.”
“Ill remember that.” He sat back again. “So, Im sure youre all wondering why weve brought you here tonight,” he began and made Dana laugh.
“Now theres a pompous ass.” But she laid a hand on his thigh. “I guess since were here to talk about the key, and Im the one whos supposed to find it, Ill start.”
Handing Jordan what was left of the berries, she pushed herself off the couch and snagged her wineglass from the coffee table. Even as she took the first step, Jordan slid down into her seat. He gave her a quick grin and draped his arm behindZoe over the back of the couch.