“You must be Declan Bloom. We haven’t met in person. Wes Evans.”
“I know who you are.” Declan sneered. “What I don’t know is why you left her alone? Anything could have happened!”
“She was with Colin, surrounded by guests. I thought she’d be safe, but you’re right.”
Wes’s honest answer must have surprised Declan because his tone was marginally less hostile when he said, “You and I need to have a talk.”
Cara didn’t want to deal with either man’s testosterone. “Why were you looking for me? I thought you were with Melody.”
Wes grimaced. “Some more guests arrived while you were gone.” He paused, then looked over his shoulder pointedly. Declan and Cara followed his gaze. Declan cursed. “I heard them talking to Corinne, and it was obvious who they were. You never mentioned that you resembled her a little.” Cara sent him a death glare.
“What the fuck is she thinking, inviting them here?” Declan stormed.
“I don’t know.” Cara was more baffled than upset. She didn’t think her mother was friendly with Courtney Bloom, much less close enough to invite her to the wedding.
“And what is Dr. Keller doing with her?”
“Who?” Wes’s forehead crinkled.
“Chris’s father. He was my father’s doctor and friend. But what he’s doing here with Courtney?” Cara shook her head. “He’s a nice man, a little soft-spoken but—”
Declan’s let out a low curse, the muscle ticking in his jaw. “It never occurred to me she had her claws in him.”
“What are you talking about?”
Declan’s gaze met hers before flicking again to the couple. “You think it’s a coincidence that Courtney is suddenly in Italy with the doctor who was supposed to be taking care of our father? He’s not exactly her type, so what is she doing with him?”
“I don’t trust her either, but… Dr. Keller? Chris’s dad! Chris can’t stand Courtney. Don’t you think he’d have mentioned it if his father was involved with her?”
Wes looked thoughtful. “Whatever the truth is, they’ve spotted you.”
“Be nice, Dec. Think of Chris. We don’t know yet what their relationship is.”
Declan shot her a disbelieving look.
Courtney was striking in a form-fitted, blue dress, a high slit showing off her thigh. Dr. Keller, looking more like her father than a date, fidgeted with his sport coat. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but at this party.
“If it isn’t my precious stepchildren. How lovely to see you here!”
“Dr. Keller.” Declan greeted the man through his teeth before addressing Cara. “No more wandering off. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Without ever acknowledging Courtney’s presence, Declan walked away.
“Ass!” Courtney seethed.
“I’m surprised to see you here… together. My mother has never mentioned you.” Cara didn’t attempt to sound friendly, and she welcomed Wes’s comforting hand on the small of her back. “I just saw Chris in Atlanta. He didn’t mention you were coming to the wedding, Dr. Keller.”
Elliot Keller’s face drew even longer. Courtney hooked her arm through his elbow and answered for him in a silky voice. “I’m not sure he knows. Did you tell Chris about our little trip?” Her smile was cloying, and her familiarity seemed to make the older doctor uncomfortable.
“I didn’t get the chance to tell him. He’s been busy… I didn’t plan on attending but Courtney…”
“Tuscany in the spring isn’t to be missed! You don’t mind that I tagged along, do you?” She pouted prettily up at the older man.
“I didn’t know the two of you were such good friends.” Cara didn’t hide her skepticism.
Courtney’s crimson lips curled up in a smile, but her eyes were glacial when they met Cara’s. “I have a lot of friends.”
“I find that hard to believe.” The words were out before they fully formed in her head, and Wes failed to muffle a snort of laughter. However, Cara found nothing amusing about the situation. She was furious!
Cara slid her hand into Wes’s and led him away, leaving Courtney fuming behind her. In front of them, the party crowd had swelled near a string quartet making Cara claustrophobic.
