Page 49 of Enchant Me

“I caught some of that,” Ryan said. “Just a word, here and there, but enough to pick up on what the topic of conversation was.”

“Go on,” Damien said, understanding that his friend was leading to a point.

“I don’t know Alaine, so take this with a grain of salt, but he knew your father. He obviously cared about Sofia. And she’s dead now because of Nikki.”

“Ryan, what are you saying?”

“I’m not saying anything other than what I just said. As for the conclusions we can draw from that, well, I just want you to keep an open mind.”

And with that, he patted Damien on the shoulder, then turned and walked away.

14

“I can’t believe you did this to me again,” I tell Jamie, as some dude in cowboy chaps and very little else grinds in front of me.

“Oh, admit it,” Jamie says. “You love it.”

I lean back, then turn sideways, trying to appear stern though in truth I’m amused. “I’m not sure love is the word I’d jump to….”

“Face it, Jamie,” Cass says. “She’s got Damien at home, just like you’ve got Ryan. I mean, seriously, what’s the point for you, two? For that matter,” she adds, grinning wickedly, “what’s the point for me?”

“Poor Cass,” Jamie and I both say in unison, each taking a hand. “Thank you for being a sport.”

“And the point isn’t for you to enjoy it,” Jamie tells me. “Though that view is a perk,” she adds with a nod to a second dancer who’s joined the first. “The point is for our husbands to know we’re here. That adds that extra spice when you get home.”

“Trust me, there’s plenty of spice at home. And you, my friend, are a tease.”

“Yeah, but Ryan loves it. And admit it, so do you.”

“I’m saying nothing.”

“How about you, Syl?” she asks. “Having a good time looking at the scenery while Jackson drinks beer back home with his buddies?”

“Hell, yes,” Sylvia says. “After a few more drinks I’ll start sending him naughty texts.” She’s kicked back with her feet on the empty chair in front of her where my friend Lisa was sitting. But Lisa, Jane, and Emma have wandered off to check out the other stages. I’m not sure where the rest of the girls are. Probably doing the same.

We’re at Raven, a somewhat seedy strip club where my friends had taken me for my first bachelorette party. I smile at the memory. Maybe it really is fitting to be here.

I raise my glass and grin at Jamie. “I do love you, James.”

“Hell yeah, you do.” She lifts her glass and we clink. “To all the good times,” she says.

My phone chimes, and I pull it out to see a text from Evelyn: you there?

A wave of worry crashes over me. There’s no reason that Evelyn should be contacting me on the last night of her honeymoon. I tap out a quick yes in reply.

I’m calling now.

I shoot Jamie a look, then stand up. “Evelyn’s calling,” I say as I step away. “I’m going to go take this someplace quieter.”

I answer on the first ring. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Texas, I’m fine. Your father’s fine. We’re having a wonderful time. But this is worth the interruption. I’m about to send you an image. I warn you, you’re not going to like it.”

I pace as I wait for the familiar ping that signals the incoming text. When it arrives, I open it with some trepidation.

A Secret Stark!

Damien Stark’s love child revealed!