Save the Date Read online

  She saw something flicker in his eyes. Amusement? Perhaps a little surprised at her bluntness. Maybe because he’d caught her saying dress instead of gown. Damn. She’d never fully grown used to calling them gowns. They’d always just been fancy dresses to her. Even more so after Joseph … But she had made a point of reiterating that they were gowns in front of Taylor. And she’d stuffed up.

  ‘So, it is a dress,’ he said. He pulled out his wallet. ‘I’ll give you five.’

  Her mouth dropped open. ‘The price is seven.’

  ‘Five and a half, then.’

  She clenched her jaw. What was his problem? Hadn’t they already been through this? He started flicking through the notes in his wallet. Who even carried that much money? ‘I’m sorry, Mr Ballin. The price is firm.’

  He shrugged lazily. ‘Everything’s negotiable.’

  ‘Not everything.’

  ‘Surely, you have a staff discount you could use.’

  Twenty per cent, to be exact. Jannette—her boss—was generous with the discounts for the girls, though on normal sales it was simply their commission. Of course, they’d rarely had to cash in on the discounts, since neither of them were married. Perhaps that’s why it was so generous.

  ‘Maybe I’d like to save it for my own wedding dress.’

  ‘Are you getting married soon?’ His eyebrow lifted, his fingers pausing on the money in his wallet.

  ‘Well, no, but—’

  ‘So that’s settled then. Besides, even if you were saving it for yourself, staff discounts don’t work for once-off purchases. It’s kind of an ongoing thing.’

  Damn it. She’d hoped he wouldn’t look that far into it. But then, he was a businessman. A good one at that. He pulled a thick wad of cash out of his wallet and placed it on the bench. She gawked at the pile. Had she ever seen so much?

  ‘Six thousand, cash.’

  She swallowed. Oh, she just wanted to touch it, to hold it in her hands for a moment. It was almost the entirety of her savings. So, that’s what it would look like. She was tempted, even though it wouldn’t be her money. She blinked to focus on the exchange that was happening.

  ‘Cash doesn’t get you a cheaper price here,’ she said. ‘Everything still goes on the books.’

  He nodded knowingly. ‘Yes, but if you use your discount …’ He shrugged.

  ‘And why would I do that?’

  Something flickered in his eyes that she couldn’t quite place. They had darkened again, or perhaps it was because it was growing darker outside. ‘Six thousand, cash, and dinner with me tomorrow night.’

  Her body tensed. No, she wouldn’t fall for his charms. She wouldn’t let him play her, gaining control over her like Joseph had, all while keeping her completely unaware of what else was going in his life.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Fine. Dinner and a movie of your choosing.’ He reached for the money on the bench and picked it up slowly, his eyebrow lifting. ‘Or I walk.’

  Her eyes dropped to the money as he moved it towards his wallet. Jannette would kill her for not taking the deal, no doubt. But still … keeping her pride mattered a great deal more to her now than it used to.

  ‘Well, enjoy your evening, Mr Ballin,’ she said. ‘We’re closed.’

  ‘Very well, then.’ He tucked the money back in his wallet like it was only five dollars. He nodded at her. ‘Good evening, Andie.’ He turned and started to leave.

  Her eyes lingered on the pocket his wallet disappeared into. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to separate the personal from the professional. Though, he’d made that impossible by asking her out in the negotiations. Her mind drifted back to Jannette. Business had been slower than they’d liked lately. And letting this kind of money just walk away …

  She groaned. What was dinner and a movie to ensure a good payday? ‘Wait,’ she said as he reached for the door handle.

  God, she hoped she wouldn’t regret this. He turned to face her expectantly. She swallowed her pride. She had to do this, for Jannette. For herself and Harley. They all needed this. He continued watching her. Waiting. The look in his eyes making her more nervous and less sure of her decision. She swallowed again.

  ‘A movie of my choosing?’

  He nodded. Still waiting.

  ‘So, I choose whatever movie I want,’ she said, cautiously. ‘And you have no say?’

  ‘That’s generally what it means.’ He shifted to face her more fully, his head tilted slightly to the side. She could see the broadness in his shoulders, and only now noticed the little splattering of dark hairs peeking out from his shirt where the top few buttons were undone. ‘Are you considering my offer, Andie?’

  She swallowed. This wasn’t just playing with fire.

  Oh, no.

  This was like drenching something in fuel and lighting the match. So much more dangerous. And a much higher chance of getting hurt.

  ‘Maybe.’

  Chapter 4

  Tay sipped his beer, staring at the crowd around him. So much for a small get-together. Libby must have invited just about everyone she’d ever met to her engagement party. A few, he recognised, were old family friends. He’d seen some others around, but most of the crowd he’d never seen before.

  Then again, Libby was a very social person, and the kind of bright personality that people were drawn to. Obviously, she had a lot of friends. A lot of people who cared about her. Unlike him. He’d spent most of his adult life looking after her, always being there for her. She was the most important person in his world. He hadn’t realised how important she was to so many other people. It only made him look at his own life.

  If it were his engagement party, it truly would be a small get-together. He had acquaintances, sure. He’d sometimes had drinks with Connor and the other groomsmen—Connor’s brother Lex, and cousin Billy. Though he’d never considered them friends, per se. In fact, he’d never really thought about it. Friends through association, perhaps?

  Connor was his best friend. The only person he could really trust with his life. He’d learned the hard way not to let too many people get too close. Trust had to be earned, not given flippantly.

  Of course, there was Helen, too. She knew his life inside out. Hell, she organised most of his life. But that was her job. He might consider her a friend—she was certainly someone he could trust. But there were still many things that he did himself, especially the most private and personal aspects. He wondered if they would be friends if she didn’t work for him, but decided against it. She was a nice woman, but most of their conversations revolved around work.

  And Libby was a given—she was his sister. But apart from those three people, he wasn’t sure he could call anyone a friend. Not really. He knew a lot of people, of course. He was a businessman. It was his job to know a lot of people. But would he ever let any of them get close to him? No.

  He took another sip of his beer to wash the bitter feeling down.

  Was it bad that he didn’t have many friends? It’s not like he was a total recluse. He was simply reluctant to let anyone close. Why? Because he’d been hurt before. And he wasn’t going to let that happen again.

  So, why did he ask Andie out?

  Hell.

  He hadn’t even been thinking when he threw that out there. He’d gone back into the bridal shop with every intention to simply buy the dress. No haggling. Nothing. Seven thousand, gone like that. But when he saw her …

  He’d always been logical. Everything he did was mapped out, thought through. Planned. But that? Where was the logic when he needed it?

  He’d driven the hardest bargains, settled deals that were once considered impossible. He’d built his way to the top, convinced the hardest minds, and found himself in a position that commanded respect. He wasn’t an amateur.

  Except he had been, a few hours earlier.

  Digging to get the best deal he could, even though he knew it was impossible. He’d even been prepared to walk. And how would that have made Libby feel? He
hadn’t been thinking at all. And it concerned him a hell of a lot more than it should. Seeing Andie left him feeling enticed. Curious. Wondering what mystery she held with those eyes. Wondering how it would feel to have her body against his.

  He cleared his throat and took another sip, feeling unsatisfied.

  He had to get a grip on himself. He couldn’t let this … this … woman get under his skin. He wasn’t a stranger to women. Oh, no. He was wise to their tactics. He had to be when a lot of his deals were with an attractive woman present. A ploy to get the upper hand. Cheap shots. He’d never once used that tactic. He might have been prone to it as an amateur, but not now. He’d never let anyone walk over him again. He was in control.

  He may not have been that afternoon. But at their date tomorrow, he sure as hell would be. He registered Libby walking towards him, her trail of bridesmaids following along behind her like lost puppies. He felt himself groan at the wide eyes they were giving him. If Libby wasn’t with them, and if it wasn’t his sister and best friend’s engagement party, he might have made a break for it. He just needed to stop thinking about Andie.

  ‘Hello, big brother,’ Libby said, placing her hands on his shoulders and brushing her lips against his cheek. ‘Can you believe the turnout? It’s almost as many people that will be at the wedding.’

  His eyes widened. He hadn’t thought about how much that was going to cost him. He’d just assumed there wouldn’t be so many people. Oh, how he’d been wrong.

  ‘Almost?’ he repeated.

  ‘Of course,’ she said, matter-of-factly. ‘Can’t expect everyone to make it to the engagement party. Some people have to travel, you know?’

  He reminded himself that her engagement party wasn’t the time to talk to her about budgeting. Then again, he knew Libby was only going to be getting married once. She had found the right guy, after all. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad that she had the wedding she always wanted. It was the least he could do.

  ‘I’ve got something for you,’ he said, reaching into his pocket.

  Libby’s eyes glistened. ‘You didn’t have to, Tay. You’re already paying for the wedding and—’ He presented the receipt to her. She eyed it thoughtfully. ‘What’s this?’

  ‘Your wedding dress.’

  ‘But I didn’t settle on one …’ She drifted off, studying the receipt. He could tell when her eyes landed on the price. ‘Tay …’

  ‘It’s the one you wanted,’ he said. ‘Turns out Andie could do a better price for us.’

  She tried to scowl at him, but he could see the appreciation in her expression. ‘You didn’t drive a hard bargain, did you?’

  Not in the way she thought. ‘We found a compromise.’

  ‘Tay.’

  ‘It was simply a … discussion.’ Of sorts.

  ‘She needs to make a living, you know. I hope you didn’t cut into her commission.’

  He frowned. He hadn’t been thinking about her commission when he was haggling over price. No doubt he’d cut into it. Quite heftily, in fact. Considering he got her to use her discount to come up with a better price … The thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. In fact, he hadn’t been thinking at all.

  ‘You don’t like it?’ he said, trying to move the conversation off how he’d cheated a woman of a pay that she’d earned.

  Libby’s eyes glistened again, a smile creeping onto her face. ‘I do. I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘Thank you?’

  Her smile widened and she wrapped her arms around him, sniffling into his chest. ‘Thank you, Tay.’

  He patted her on the back and pulled her away to look at her. ‘You deserve it, Libby. Now, go on, don’t cry or you’ll ruin your makeup.’

  She smiled at him again and slapped him on the chest. ‘Oh, don’t be silly. There’s a reason why I use waterproof makeup.’

  He scrunched his nose up mockingly and circled a finger near her face. ‘You might want to check that, then.’

  Her eyes narrowed. ‘Stop it, Tay!’ she whined. She patted him on his upper arm and started moving away from him. ‘You know, there’s something stronger in the kitchen.’

  He shook his head slowly, watching as his sister led her little crew of minions through the crowd again. He noticed more than just her bridesmaids following her. Some poor souls who probably wished they were in the wedding party, he supposed. Each of them looked at him the same way they always did. Wide eyed and flirtatious. Any one of them willing. He finished his beer and headed for the kitchen. He could see he was going to need it.

  He reached the kitchen just as Connor finished pouring himself a drink of the said something stronger. ‘Make it two,’ he said, settling himself down on the bar stool at the kitchen bench.

  ‘You got it.’ Connor grabbed a second glass and rested one elbow on the bench. ‘Figured it was only a matter of time before you went searching for this.’ He nudged the bourbon and empty glass towards Tay.

  ‘It’s to be expected,’ he said, pouring himself a few fingers. ‘But why are you in here? Have you forgotten whose party it is?’

  Connor’s nose scrunched. ‘You and I both know this is all about Libby.’

  ‘Tell me you know all those people out there.’ He sipped his bourbon, feeling the satisfying burn as it trailed down to his stomach.

  Connor shrugged. ‘I’ve got a handful of family and a few friends. Most of those people are Libby’s friends.’

  Tay squinted. ‘Did either of us know she had so many?’ Hell, had they both been so protective of Libby over the years that they’d somehow forgotten she had friends?

  Connor refilled his own glass and raised it. ‘If I knew, I might have run for cover.’

  ‘Everyone knows that’s not true.’

  Connor smiled. He was happy, Tay could tell. Good. He was marrying Tay’s sister, after all. ‘Yeah, you’re right. I was always coming for her. It was just a matter of when.’

  Tay tried to hide a laugh with another sip. If it hadn’t been about his sister, he might have delved into the world of innuendos. Still, some things didn’t need to be said aloud between friends.

  ‘I better get back out there and do the rounds with Libby,’ Connor said. ‘Wish me luck.’

  ‘Luck,’ he said, obligatorily. He sipped his drink again. Yes, something stronger was definitely what he was needing.

  He watched as Connor headed for the main room. His friend paused at the archway as one of Libby’s bridesmaids—Isabelle, the forward one—wandered in, her eyes lighting up when she saw Tay. He took another sip of his drink. Or rather, a gulp. He wasn’t sure anything was strong enough to get him through this.

  ‘Libby’s looking for you,’ she said flatly to Connor.

  He held up his glass. ‘Already on my way.’

  She focused back on Tay and smiled, almost bouncing towards him. He met Connor’s eyes over her head and silently begged him not to leave him alone with her. Connor gave an apologetic grimace and mouthed an apology.

  Damn.

  He wondered why Libby hung around this woman. Totally different personalities. Libby was a likeable person. Isabelle was … well …

  She was pretty. But not the loveliest woman he’d come across. Though confidence was something he could really give her credit for. And it certainly wasn’t something she was short on. Perhaps it was to her detriment.

  She slid onto the bar stool next to him and leaned seductively on the bench. He refused to look down. She had ample breasts, and she rarely made any attempt to cover them. Now would be no exception. Her strong, cheap perfume wafted around her and he wasn’t sure if he was going to start gasping for air or succumb to a sneezing fit.

  ‘What are we having?’ she drawled, lifting the bottle to examine the label.

  He tugged the bottle from her hand and moved it to the other side of him. Out of reach. ‘We’re not having anything. I am having bourbon.’

  She pouted. Another one of her feminine ploys. He’d never fallen prey to her wiles. He’d always kno
wn she’d set her sights on him. Libby had been quick to let him know, even though he’d already gathered as much from Isabelle’s advances.

  ‘Well, no one should be drinking alone at a party like this.’

  She pried the glass from his hands—a new tactic, perhaps, since he wasn’t expecting it—and took a long, slow sip, holding his gaze the entire time. He was surprised she didn’t start choking on it. He hadn’t met many women who liked spirits. From memory, those women were a bit of fun …

  She placed the glass back in his hand and he stared at it. It was the first time any woman except Libby had ever drunk from his glass. He didn’t like it. Or perhaps it was simply the woman he didn’t like. He cleared his throat and nudged it back towards her.

  ‘You may as well have it,’ he said. There was only a little left, but he still felt cheated of the rest of his drink.

  She frowned, but took the drink. She seemed annoyed. Frustrated, perhaps. Good. Maybe now she’d realise her advances were unwanted. He rose to his feet and moved to the other side of the bench. In part, to get a fresh glass. Mostly to put some distance between them.

  She let out an audible sigh. ‘I don’t get it, Tay. Most men don’t avoid me like you do.’

  His eyebrow shot up as he reached for a glass, even though she couldn’t see it. ‘I’m not most men.’

  His thoughts flickered back to earlier that day, when he’d said the same thing to Andie for an entirely different reason. Twice in one day—must be a record. He didn’t think he’d ever said it that much in his life.

  ‘Maybe that’s what I like about you.’

  His body became alert. Her voice sounded closer, deeper than it should. He more sensed, rather than felt, her behind him. He turned slowly. God, this woman didn’t get the hint. And she was far too close for comfort. She placed a hand on his chest and looked at him with her huge round eyes. He could see why most men wouldn’t be able to resist her. She was charming, in her ways. He just knew when to tell if he’d get burned.

  ‘You’re Libby’s best friend.’ Facts. He’d present facts, and maybe she’d get it in that thick head of hers.