“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Lexi said politely when Tripp made no move to perform introductions. “I’m Lexi Delacourt and this is my friend Adrianna Lee.”
“Winston Ferris.” The man extended his hand. “But please call me Winn. Winston is far too formal.”
“Is your wife here with you tonight, Mr.—er, Winn?” Lexi probed, her amber eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“I’m not married.” Winn smiled. “Or dating anyone.”
At that announcement, Lexi cast a pointed glance in Adrianna’s direction, which she promptly ignored.
Thank goodness she hadn’t yet told Lexi that she was ready to start looking for Mr. Right. If she had, there was no doubt in her mind that her friend would be shoving her in Winn’s direction, despite the fact she was here tonight with Tripp.
“Ferris?” A frown furrowed Lexi’s pretty brow. “Are you any relation to Jim?”
“He’s my father.” Winn may have answered Lexi, but his gaze remained firmly fixed on Adrianna.
“My husband, Nick, has golfed with your dad a few times.” Lexi lifted her glass of wine to her lips. “I’ve heard your father has an amazing chip shot.”
Winn simply smiled and refocused on Adrianna. “What about you? Do you have a husband? Or a boyfriend?”
Adrianna hesitated. While she supposed some might be flattered by his attention, his dogged determination to capture her interest rubbed her wrong, reminding her of that bad experience with her college boyfriend.
Besides, making a move on her wasn’t particularly gentlemanly, considering she was here with someone else. Unless Tripp had told him they were only friends.
Adrianna slanted a sideways glance at Tripp, hoping for some answers.
“I thought I made it clear that Adrianna is with me.” There was an undercurrent of warning running through Tripp’s voice that surprised Adrianna.
Whatever she’d expected Tripp to say, it wasn’t that. Was he aware by phrasing it that way it sounded as if they were a real couple?
“That’s right.” Winn gave a little laugh. “Must have slipped my mind.”
Tripp’s gaze shifted to Adrianna.
“It’s past time we dance.” He slipped his arm from her shoulder and took her hand. Before his fingers laced through hers, his thumb caressed her palm.
Adrianna’s knees suddenly went weak.
Tripp smiled. There was warmth—dare she say, heat?—in his eyes that she couldn’t recall seeing there before.
“Dancing would be … lovely.” Her tongue moistened her suddenly dry lips and once again she saw a flash of heat.
“Nice to meet you, Winn,” she called over her shoulder as Tripp tugged her to the dance floor, then jerked her close.
They fit as though they were made for each other. Tripp was just enough taller that even with her heels they came together perfectly. She wondered what it would be like if they made love. Would they come together just as perfectly? She promptly banished the thought. It wasn’t as if that was ever going to happen.
Of course, she thought, resting her head against his broad chest, it wasn’t as if she thought he’d ever hold her hand either. Or kiss her cheek.
Tripp’s arms were so strong it didn’t matter if her knees had the consistency of gelatin. When the band launched into a rendition of “Embraceable You,” a special favorite of her parents, a sadness washed over Adrianna.
She’d been nineteen and away at college when her parents had passed away, victims of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a blocked fireplace flue. Adrianna lifted her head and gazed up at Tripp. “Did you know Gayle was the first person to express her condolences after my parents died?”
He shook his head, then frowned. “What made you think of that?”
“My mom and dad loved this song.” Adrianna sighed, feeling a bit wistful. “Whenever it would come on the radio, they’d drop whatever they were doing and dance.”
If she closed her eyes, she could see them now, her mother’s head on her dad’s shoulder, a dreamy smile on her lips.
“They’d been married for almost fifteen years and had given up hope of having any children when I came along,” Adrianna continued. “A child in the house had to have been a big change, but I always felt wanted and loved.”
Her troubles in college had occurred after their deaths. She’d been so lonely, so naive, so willing to believe a handsome man’s lies. Then her world had imploded and she’d had no one. But Adrianna told herself that unlike her friends, her mom and dad would have stood by her through that horrible time.
How different things might have been …
Sighing again, she placed her cheek against the starched front of Tripp’s shirt and let herself relax.
“Have you had a nice evening so far?” Tripp murmured against her hair.
“It’s been fun.” She lifted her head and realized with a start that his lips were right there. If she leaned forward ever so slightly, they would kiss. Really kiss.
Her heart stuttered.
The music disappeared.
Had she ever noticed the tiny gold flecks in his blue eyes? Or the faint smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose? Or how good he smelled? Yes, she’d definitely noticed how good he smelled. Like soap. And sexy cologne. And that indefinable male scent that made something tighten deep in her abdomen.
Tripp’s eyes darkened. His mouth drew closer.
Anticipation skittered up Adrianna’s spine. She held her breath.
“You two look like you’re having a good time.”
Tripp stopped so abruptly that Adrianna stumbled.
“Are you okay?” he asked, after helping her regain her balance.
She nodded.
“I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to startle you.”
Adrianna turned to find Tripp’s parents staring at her.
“I’m fine. Really.” Heat rose up her neck and she wondered how much they’d seen. Of course, it wasn’t as if their son had actually kissed her.
“You look lovely this evening,” Tripp’s mother gushed. “Doesn’t Adrianna look pretty, Frank?”
“Beautiful,” Tripp’s father responded.
Pleasure slid through Adrianna’s veins like warm honey. She couldn’t believe Tripp’s mother remembered her, much less recalled her name. They’d met only once and that was months ago. “It’s a pleasure to see both of you again, Mr. and Mrs. Randall.”
“Please, call me Kathy.” The sparkle in his mother’s blue eyes reminded Adrianna of Tripp. She looked every inch a wealthy rancher’s wife with her dark blond hair cut in a stylish bob and her elegant black dress brightened by large teardrop diamond earrings and a matching necklace.
Her husband stood beside her, one hand resting lightly on her back. A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and a weathered face, Franklin had lost a lot of weight in the past year and his tux hung loosely on his large frame.
“Was that Jim Ferris’s boy I saw you speaking with a few minutes ago?” Frank asked his son.
“His name is Winston.” Tripp cupped Adrianna’s elbow in his hand and they followed his parents off the dance floor. “From what he said, it sounds like he just got into town. He didn’t mention