Groom On The Loose

“We?” Bob glanced curiously at Cassie.

Greg’s smile faltered. This was the moment he’d been dreading. The moment of truth. Time for Cassie to prove whether or not she was worth all the money he was paying her to play the role of his hostess-slash-girlfriend.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Where are my manners?”

He placed a tentative hand on Cassie’s slender shoulder, drawing her close. Her skin felt smooth, warm to the touch. Her body slender, yet supple. Up close, he caught a whiff of a delicate floral perfume. Awareness stirred in the pit of his stomach, surprising him.

Cassie drew in a sharp breath. She stiffened beneath his touch, appearing ready to flee.

Greg hurried an introduction. “Bob, Sandy, this is my, uh, friend, Cassie Andrews.”

Handshakes were exchanged. Greg gave a silent sigh of relief as Cassie slipped easily into the role of hostess.

Introductions finished, Bob and Sandy focused their attention on Jessica, waiting expectantly.

Greg added, “And this is Jessica…Cassie’s baby.”

“Isn’t she sweet?” Sandy cooed, stepping closer. “Could I hold her a minute?”

Greg looked to Cassie. She shrugged a reply.

“Uh, sure,” Greg said. “Why not?”

Sandy reached for the baby.

Jessica took one look at the woman, whimpered a protest and wrapped her chubby little arms around Greg’s neck, hiding her face in the softness of his navy polo shirt.

Cassie’s eyes widened in surprise.

Bob chuckled. “She seems kind of attached, Greg. Do you have that sort of effect on all women?”

Embarrassed heat rose on Greg’s face.

“Greg’s very good with Jessica,” Cassie said, coming to his defense. Greg shot her a quelling glance, which she ignored. She smiled innocently. “Whenever they’re together, the two of them are inseparable.”

Bob and Sandy exchanged curious glances.

Apparently, Cassie’s interpretation of “less is best” in dealing with Jessica’s presence was different from his. Before the day was out, he’d be Jessica’s favorite uncle, responsible for the child’s happiness and welfare. Greg shook his head, wondering if it were too much to hope for a strike from a lightning bolt on this bright and cloudless day to bring a quick and painless end to his misery.

Cassie fanned the air with a slender hand, seeming oblivious to the speculation she’d raised. “It certainly is hot today. Why don’t we rustle up a few drinks.” She took Sandy’s arm, leading her toward the backyard. “Sandy, I love your dress. Tell me, where did you find that color of peach…”

Greg and Bob followed at a slower pace.

“Not bad, Lawton,” Bob whispered, sending Cassie an appreciative gaze. “Where’ve you been hiding this one?”

Greg felt an unexpected flash of irritation. He attributed the emotion to strained nerves, not jealousy. As far as he was concerned, jealousy and Cassie Andrews did not go hand in hand.

“I haven’t been hiding Cassie anywhere,” he said, struggling with an even tone. Jessica poked a tiny finger in his mouth. He moved it out of harm’s way. “We’ve known each other for a long time.”

Which was the truth, of course. He just didn’t mention the fact that, until today, they’d avoided being in the same room with each other. Knowing and liking each other were entirely different propositions.

Though he had to admit Cassie did make a good first impression. Greg studied her, taking in her bright smile, her long-legged, graceful stride and her slender body. His gaze narrowed. It wasn’t until one got to know the true Cassie that she really started to get annoying.

“Don’t get me wrong, Greg,” Bob said, interrupting his brooding thoughts. “Cassie’s great. I for one think it’s about time you got over Niki.”

Niki? Greg’s mind went blank. He felt too stunned to speak. Today marked the first time since his broken engagement that he’d attended a social function without Niki at his side. He’d been dreading the event for weeks, certain it would accomplish nothing but dredge up old and painful memories.

He’d been wrong.

Since Cassie had walked in the door, demanding his attention, he hadn’t had time to think of Niki.

Not once.

“So, exactly how long have the two of you known each other?” Greg’s nurse, a petite redhead with a plump and curvy body, asked as she studied the sleepy baby in Greg’s arms.

Greg’s hand rested at Cassie’s waist. His grip tightened perceptibly, sending shock waves of awareness darting through her body. He looked at her, raising a questioning brow. “How long would you say, sweet-heart? Ten? Fifteen years?”