Page 14 of My Real Love Affair

We filed out with the rest of the guests, spilling into the gardens where the Plume family had set up what looked like a small festival. Bars at multiple stations, waiters walking aroundwith trays of appetizers, and enough floral arrangements to supply every funeral home in Manhattan for a month.

My brothers congregated near one of the bars. I started to head over, but Summer’s grip on my arm tightened.

“Five minutes,” I said. “I’m just saying hi to my family.”

“Cash said?—”

“Cash isn’t my keeper.”

I extricated myself and made my way to where Kent and Dane were standing with their wives. Kent clapped me on the shoulder, grinning. “Survived the ceremony?”

“Barely. How much longer is this thing?”

“Hours,” Dane said darkly. He hated these events as much as I did. “At least the food will be good.”

Dane was a world-renowned chef, so if he said the food would be good, he meant it. I glanced back toward the bar where Cash had positioned himself like a general surveying a battlefield. He caught my eye, silently warning me. Even from this distance, I could feel his disapproval radiating across the garden.

“He’s watching you like you’re going to explode,” Kent observed.

“He thinks I am.”

“Are you?”

“Depends on how much longer I have to deal with my babysitter.”

Rodney appeared at my elbow, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His shirt collar was smudged with lipstick, and his hair was mussed. “Bancroft! You missed all the fun.”

“Clearly.” I gestured at his collar. “Get lucky during the ceremony?”

“Bride’s cousin. Met her in the parking lot.” He waggled his eyebrows. “She’s very friendly.”

“You’re a disaster.”

“Says the guy who showed up with a handler.”

Summer materialized with her tiny purse extended toward me. “Hold this. I need to use the ladies’ room.”

I stared at the small, beaded purse. “You want me to hold your purse.”

“Please.”

“I’m not a coat rack, Summer.”

“Austin.” Her smile was tight. “Please.”

I took the damn thing. Rodney laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink.

“Oh man, Cash really did a number on you. Got you carrying purses now.”

“Shut up.”

“What’s next? Picking out china patterns?”

“I will punch you.”

“No, you won’t. Your girlfriend would tell on you.”

I rolled my eyes and turned away from Rodney’s cackling, scanning the crowd. I never should have vented to him last night. Of course, he would make fun of me.