Page 74 of Book Club Confidential

Cool air touched Tessa’s cheeks as they emerged from the group of dancers, and her sweat-slicked skin pebbled in response. They filled plates from a buffet, grabbed bottles of water from tubs of ice, and found a small table near the windows dividing the rooftop and interior bar.

Hallie finished her food first and returned to her feet. “I’m going to see if they’ll make me another soda like the one I had last time we came here.”

Tessa’s thoughts returned to work, and she forced herself not to check her phone. Had any of her coworkers called to see if she was okay? Or get details about what had happened? Surely the news had spread like wildfire. Would Millie want to offer comfort? Would Nina or Josephine want her to know they stood with her?

Had Xavier called to apologize or ask her to reconsider?

Would she reconsider if he called?

Kate’s cool palm clamped over Tessa’s forearm, snatching her back to the moment, grip tight enough to raise alarm. “Whoa!” Tessa’s eyes jumped to her friend, but Kate’s attention was somewhere else. “What’s wrong?” Tessa asked, wiggling her arm to loosen the vise around it, and following Kate’s line of sight in search of the problem.

Hallie stood a few yards away, speaking with a man in linen pants and a white dress shirt. His thick brown hair and casual stance seemed vaguely familiar.

“Who is that?” Tessa asked.

“It’s Sam.” The words had barely left Kate’s lips before the man’s cool-gray eyes found them.

“Who?” Tessa squinted, willing her memory to place the man.

“The bartender I gave my number to five seconds before he told me my autograph was for his girlfriend,” she whispered.

Tessa mouthed the word Oh as the memory returned with a cringe. “That Sam.”

Kate inhaled sharply. “Remind me why I wanted to come to this ball, because I suddenly cannot recall.”

Hallie waved enthusiastically as she led him in their direction.

“Oh my God, he’s coming over here,” Kate said. “I’ve been dancing and sweating for an hour,” she hissed. “How do I look?”

Tessa frowned. Kate’s words and tone conveyed sheer panic. Her posture and demeanor, though, were proper and relaxed. They might’ve been seated on her back porch swing instead of at a massive and very important party where, thanks to the number of cell phone cameras, the world might be watching.

Sam paused and spoke briefly to a passing woman with a tray, then continued onward without dropping his eye contact with Kate.

“Oh my,” Tessa whispered. “That man is smoldering. This doesn’t bode well for Vera.” That was the name he’d given Kate on the night he’d asked for an autograph, wasn’t it? Immediately after he’d unwittingly received her phone number on the napkin.

“Shh,” Kate hushed her. “Is she bringing him to us?”

“I think she’s bringing him to you,” Tessa corrected. She nudged Kate’s hand when she finally released her arm.

“Hey!” Hallie bobbed into place before them. “Look who I found!”

“Sam,” Kate said, her voice breathless and betraying her calm.

Tessa stifled a grin.

He stood a little taller, head tipping slightly. “You remember me?”

Kate nodded.

Hallie beamed. “Sam just ordered a specialty soda for me,” she said. “If it’s as good as the last one I had here, I’m going to need to see your recipe index.”

“Deal.” Sam spoke with quiet confidence, his attention still fixed on Kate’s eyes. “Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

Tessa made a goofy face at Hallie, who smirked.

“It’s nice to see you again,” he said.