“No worries.” Adrianna smiled up at him. “I’ll be fine.”
As she walked away she heard Jim murmur something about how lucky he was to be with someone so understanding. She didn’t hear Tripp’s reply but it scarcely mattered.
Adrianna wasn’t with Tripp.
He knew it.
She knew it.
And as soon as Tripp had a chance to tell him, Jim Ferris would know it, too.
Chapter Five
“I love your shirt,” July gushed when Adrianna drew close. “The color makes your eyes look incredibly green.”
“I like yours, too.” Adrianna recognized the striped Galao pullover from the Anthropologie catalog. She shifted her gaze to Lexi. As expected, the social worker known for her fashion acumen had eschewed denim and worn khakis, pairing the tan-colored pants with a black scalloped lace top. “And you look gorgeous as ever, Mrs. Delacourt.”
Lexi rolled her eyes. “Thank you, Ms. Lee. Actually, I think we all look pretty hot this evening.”
“I’d say we’re easily the sexiest women here,” July drawled.
“That’s because we’re the only women here under sixty,” Adrianna said with a little laugh.
“True.” Lexi grinned and took a sip of what looked like a margarita on the rocks, salt encircling the rim of the glass.
Adrianna gazed at the drink. “What is that?”
“A Crazy Coyote Margarita,” July answered first. “I just finished one. Very tasty.”
“They’re certainly not skimping on the alcohol.” Lexi made a face. “Oh, my, this could go straight to my head.”
“Lightweight,” July teased. “Seemed fine to me.”
“What’s the difference between that and a regular margarita?” Adrianna asked, willing to admit her ignorance. She’d never been much of a drinker.
“I had the same question,” July admitted. “The bartender said they use Coyote Gold margarita mix, which tells me absolutely nothing.”
“May I get you something to drink, miss?” A young man dressed in black and obviously part of the catering staff stopped beside her.
“I’ll have a Crazy Coyote Margarita,” Adrianna told him.
“Good choice,” July said approvingly.
Lexi took another sip, her lips twisting slightly upward. “If you want to live dangerously.”
Adrianna thought about telling Lexi she already was … by being here with Tripp.
“So, you and Tripp came together,” Lexi said as if she’d read her mind. Her friend was trying to act casual, but the spark of interest in her eyes gave her away.
“As friends only.” Adrianna’s gaze drifted to the fire pit where a hog lay skewered on a rotisserie spit, roasting as it rotated. She grimaced and quickly pulled her gaze away. “I think I’m going to become a vegetarian.”
July’s sea-green eyes lit with interest. “Seriously? Since when?”
“Since she saw the hog over there, you goof.” Lexi smiled good-naturedly, but the look in her eyes said she wasn’t fooled by the abrupt change in conversation.
July didn’t even look in the direction of the fire pit. Instead she turned her body toward Adrianna just as the young man from the catering company returned with her drink order.
“Here you go, ma’am.” He handed the chilled glass edged in salt to her with a flourish. “One Crazy Coyote Margarita.”
“Ah, thank you.” Adrianna closed her fingers around the glass. She waited until the college-aged boy was out of earshot before she turned to her friends. “Did you hear that? He called me ‘ma’am.’”
“Well, you are almost thirty.” Lexi managed to keep a remarkably straight face. “That’s when the downward slide begins. Isn’t that right, July?”
“Speak for yourself, Lex.” July offered up an impish smile. “I haven’t hit that milestone yet.”
“What milestone?”
Tripp must have sneaked up while they were talking because suddenly he stood beside her.
“The big three-zero.” July glanced pointedly in her direction. “The catering guy called Adrianna ‘ma’am.’”
Tripp looked surprised. “Did you recently turn thirty?”
He doesn’t even know my birthday. The fact illustrated just how little they were connected. A pang stabbed Adrianna’s heart and she took a sip of her drink, immediately noticing Lexi had been right. The bartender was being very generous with the tequila.
“I’ll turn thirty at the end of the month,” Adrianna informed Tripp when she realized he was waiting for a reply. “September 28. Mark it on your calendar.”
The ridiculousness of her response caused Adrianna to take another drink. Tripp didn’t care when her birthday was; he’d only asked to be polite. And she doubted he’d be keeping track.
“I’ve made a mental note of it,” he said.
“Made a mental note of what?” Winn sauntered up, a bottle of beer hanging loosely from his fingers.
“Adrianna’s birthday,” July informed him.
Winn’s eyes widened in surprise. His disbelieving gaze settled on Tripp. “You didn’t know your girlfriend’s birthday?”
“She’s not—” July began but stopped when Lexi elbowed her.
“I knew it was at the end of this month.” Tripp shrugged. “I wasn’t sure of the exact date.”
A smile tugged at Winn’s lips as he shook his head. “No excuse.”
Adrianna drained her glass like a college student on spring break. Considering she had very little in her stomach, it wasn’t a smart move. Of course, neither was falling in love with a man who didn’t want her. For some odd reason, at the moment, the thought seemed more amusing than sad. Adrianna smiled. “I agree with you, Winn.”
Surprise filled Winn’s eyes. “You do?”
“I bet you’re not the kind of man to forget a woman’s birthday.” Feeling uncharacteristically reckless, Adrianna slipped her hand around his arm and gazed up at him, batting her heavily mascaraed lashes.
“If you’re asking if I’d ever forget your birthday,” Winn said gallantly, “the answer is no.”
Adrianna let her gaze linger. Winn Ferris was a handsome man. His white shirt was the perfect foil for his dark hair. Even dressed simply in black jeans and a white shirt, he managed to look … elegant.
“Would you like another Crazy Coyote, ma’am?” The boy—er, waiter—asked, taking her empty glass.
Even though common sense told Adrianna to wait until she’d eaten before imbibing more alcohol, she wasn’t on call this weekend and Tripp was driving.
Winn glanced at her and smiled.
It was all the encouragement she needed. “I’d love another.”
“Do you think that’s wise, Anna?” Tripp’s voice sounded in her ear.
“She’s a big girl, Randall.” Winn patted her hand in a proprietary gesture. “I’m sure she can make up her own mind.”
“Anna,” Tripp said softly but with a degree