Her mother’s eyes widened with approval when Jessica modeled the outfit. “I wish now I’d gone shopping, too, and bought something new myself. You look great.”
“Thanks.” Her mother’s praise gave Jessica confidence. Cathy, who tended to dress like a character in a sci-fi movie, had also said she looked great, but Jessica didn’t really trust her friend’s fashion sense.
“It was so sweet of Evan to include you,” Joyce Kellerman went on to say. “Not that I’m surprised, his being your boss and all. Life is certainly full of little twists and turns, isn’t it?
“It sure is,” Jessica said without elaborating.
“I’m thrilled that you’re working with Evan.”
“He’s a nice person.”
“He’s wonderful. It’s always been my dream—I know it’s silly, but well, we’re such good friends with the Drydens … I’ve always hoped you’d grow up to marry one of Lois’s boys.”
“Whatever you do,” Jessica said quickly, “don’t say that in front of Damian or Evan.”
“Why not, dear?”
“Mom, it’d embarrass me to death!”
“But you were so keen on Evan a few years back, and I thought … I hoped …”
“Mother, I was only fourteen!” Her old infatuation with Evan was turning into the proverbial albatross around her neck—thanks to Damian and her mother. If it wasn’t for them, the whole thing would’ve been forgotten by now.
“You’ll make a beautiful bride,” her mother said, adding the finishing touches to her own outfit. Abruptly she changed the subject. “Lois has worried herself sick over this silly barbecue.”
“But why?” Mrs. Dryden had thrown a hundred parties more elaborate than this.
Her mother sat on the bed and leaned back on her hands. “I don’t suppose there’s any reason to keep it a secret. Walter’s been approached about running for the Senate.”
Walter Dryden had been active in community affairs for years. Although he’d never held public office, he’d often managed the successful campaigns of others. He’d taken an early retirement from the law firm, and, from what Jessica understood, had grown restless with inactivity. Running for office would doubtless come as a welcome challenge.
“Has he decided he’s going to run?”
“Your father and I think so. He hasn’t declared his candidacy yet, but we’re confident he will. He’s testing the waters with this barbecue tonight. The ostensible reason is to welcome this artist—a Pierre Sidonie—but a number of people from the political arena will also be present. So this is probably the most important party of Lois’s marriage. No wonder she’s a nervous wreck.”
Even before Jessica and her parents arrived for the barbecue, the pungent smells of tomato sauce, spices and roasting meat mingled in the afternoon sunshine and drifted over the fence.
As they were greeted at the front door, Jessica was reminded, by the fervor with which Lois hugged her mother, what very good friends the two women were. Their friendship had spanned more than twenty years, and they were like sisters. Jessica felt the same way about Cathy. They’d met in college, where they’d been roommates for three years.
When Jessica didn’t immediately see Evan or Damian, she wandered outside. A series of round tables decorated in red checked tablecloths were scattered across the lush expanse of lawn. The day was perfect, warm but not hot, and the sky was cloudless. A soft breeze ruffled the leaves of the large shade trees that lined the property. This was New England summer at its best. The aromas of the food were heavenly, too, reminding her how hungry she was. Shopping and preparing for the party hadn’t left time for lunch.
Several dozen guests had arrived, and Jessica scanned the crowd. She spotted Evan standing next to a lovely blonde in a white fringed dress with a turquoise belt and silver buckle. Jessica didn’t recognize the woman, and a few discreet inquiries got her nowhere. She became all the more curious. She attempted to make her way over to Evan, since she was officially his date, but in actuality, she was seeking an introduction to the lovely blonde. Perhaps this was Evan’s new romantic interest, she thought hopefully. But before she could reach Evan, she was waylaid by some family friends. Most of the Drydens’ guests were older people, established names Jessica had known or heard all her life.
“Hello, Jessica,” Damian said from behind her. She turned to find him in the sort of suit he wore at the office. He’d made an attempt to dress to the theme with a black Stetson, which, in Jessica’s opinion, looked entirely out of place on his very Bostonian head.
His eyes glimmered with appreciation. “You look—” he hesitated “—good.”
Jessica suspected it wasn’t often that Damian was at a loss for words. It lifted her spirits considerably.
“I imagine you’re wondering who that blonde is, the one draping herself all over Evan,” he suggested casually.
That was true, although not for the reasons he believed. She couldn’t help being grateful to this unknown woman for keeping Evan occupied. Otherwise he might feel obliged to pay attention to her, and she’d much rather spend her time with Damian.
“Who is she?” Jessica asked, playing his game.
“Do I detect a small hint of jealousy?”
“Of course not.” The question irritated her.
“That’s Ramona Sidonie.”
“Who?”
“The artist’s daughter.”
That explained it. Naturally Evan considered it his duty to make Ramona feel welcome. Jessica was pleased to see him apparently enjoying himself.
“Would you like me to introduce you?” Damian asked.
“No,” Jessica said. She’d noticed Evan and Ramona moving toward the dance area. “Evan’s having a good time. I don’t see any reason to interrupt him.”
“You’re his date.”
“But only because you talked him into asking me.”
Damian’s eyes narrowed. “What makes you say that?”
“I’m not completely naive, you know. The reason you came into my office to invite me was that you didn’t think Evan had—and you wanted to make sure the two of us were together in a social situation so you could see what happened. Am I right?”
He clasped his hands behind his back and took two small steps away, then turned to face her again. She saw a hint of a smile in his eyes. “If you’re right—although I’m not saying you are—I’d never admit it.”
“You must wreak havoc on a jury.”
“That’s what my clients pay me for.”
Jessica looked toward the dance area again and couldn’t see Evan and the Frenchwoman. When she glanced over at the picnic area, she found the pair sitting at a table beneath a large elm tree munching on barbecue sandwiches.
“She’s lovely,” Jessica murmured, watching the couple. “No wonder Evan’s forgotten me.”
“Ramona may be lovely, but so are you,” Damian returned quickly, then looked as if he regretted speaking.
“Thank you.”
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Why not? That makes me think you didn’t mean it.”