Page 42 of Almost Not Quite Engaged

I laugh and lean back against the bar. “Let’s talk about it in approximately forty-five minutes. Do you play cards?”

“What a curious question,” she says, sipping my drink.

“I always carry a deck. Lots of places without wifi. My producer and I play Gin Rummy. I thought we could sit on the patio after this. Forget it, it’s stupid⁠—”

“Someone asking me to play a game with them instead of watch a screen is a significant development in my life.” She kisses my cheek. “And I’m a shark.”

I rub my hands together and hand her her next drink.

She puts her hand on my chest when I kiss her cheek and she pulls free, setting off to find my father. I go find Aunt Lolly and the cousins and try to remember why I came to Hawaii in the first place.

It’s getting harder to remember.

My phone pings just as I reach my mom and my cousins.

LIESEL: Card bounced

“If you’ll excuse me.” I break away from the women who never miss a beat talking and go to deal with this disaster.

Chapter 19

And the Bottom Drops Out

KAT

Maui

I saw Zane leave so I take it upon myself to finish our rounds to the family. I approach Jack’s open arms. It’s a robust “I’d fight off wolves for you” kind of hug. His voice bellows over the din of the crowd while he keeps his arm around me. His plush voice continues to coo in my ear as he introduces me to his friends. “There’s my favorite gal.” The man speaks, and I swoon.

“Don’t let Birdie hear you say that.”

“She’s my favorite wife.” The sycophants surrounding him echo his booming belly laugh.

“Boys, this here is Katy, excuse me, Kat Taylor. Zane’s fiancée.”

The first dapper fellow kisses my hand. He has glasses that look as if they’re from another era, but somehow he seems immediately disarmingly charming, his smile hides something mischievous but intriguing.

“Kat, this scoundrel’s an old friend of ours. Zane’s Uncle Ed. Not really his uncle, but he’s always around when you need him, or not.” The toadies laugh heartily. I smile as if I’m in on the joke and face the tall, slight, balding but oddly attractive man.

“Nice to meet you, Uncle Ed.”

Uncle Ed’s lips curl as he speaks. “I see why our Zane’s kept you locked up.” The words seem creepy but coming from him it’s cordial and complimentary.

Jack continues. “This one’s my brother-in-law, Uncle Smitty.”

“Nice to meet you, Uncle Smitty.”

“You’re the best thing I’ve met in a while.” He begins rubbing the top of my hand. This one’s creepy.

“Watch yourself, Smitty. Zane will be after you if you damage his girl.” The third buttoned-up gentleman jokes and reaches forward, removes Smitty’s hand, and takes mine to shake. “It’s a pleasure. I’m an old friend of the family as well. Bryce Goodknow.”

My heart gets scratchy, and my throat drops the moment our eyes meet. He prepped with my father. They were in the same dorm. His wife knows my mom and her best friend. They know my parents. They know me.

Holy shit. Holy shit. I’m so sweaty. It’ll be a matter of moments before he places me. Perhaps I can throw up on his shoes and bolt the hell out of here and hide in the bathroom and he’ll never realize I’m that Kat Taylor. I look around frantically for Zane.

I’m engulfed in nausea as he says, “Kat?”

I grimace and pretend I’m smiling. Fuck, here it comes.