The VIP Doubles Down
Page 30

“Do you have bodyguards, too?” She hadn’t noticed any at his house, although she had spotted the outside security cameras.
“Sometimes. People are less inclined to kidnap writers.” His smile was grim. “Even bad guys feel sorry for us.” He stepped away from her to skim his gaze down her body. “Now that I can see you, may I say that your attire is perfect for a dinner with billionaires? In fact, you look so lovely that I’m tempted to keep you all to myself.”
“Say it as often as you want,” Allie said, but her pulse throbbed at the seductive caress of his voice.
Fortunately, the elevator door slid open, offering a much-needed distraction. As she looked around, Allie nearly gasped out loud. They were in an entrance hall that rivaled any mansion’s. The floor was an ornate marble mosaic while a curving staircase soared upward past a magnificent chandelier. A man in a navy blue suit with hair graying at the temples stepped forward.
“Evening, Ed,” Gavin said, shaking hands with the other man. “Allie, this is Ed Roccuzzo, Nathan’s majordomo and a former drill sergeant.”
“Ms. Nichols,” Ed said, taking her proffered hand. “A pleasure.”
Allie wasn’t sure what a majordomo did, but she knew to respect a drill sergeant. “Please call me Allie.”
He nodded and turned. “Follow me, if you would.”
They walked down a hallway past huge rooms furnished with perfectly chosen furniture and artwork. Allie couldn’t believe she was inside a skyscraper. Ed stopped in front of a door and gestured them through. Six people were seated around a massive glass coffee table in front of a roaring fire. Beyond them a wall of windows displayed the sparkling lights of nighttime Manhattan.
“Allie, Gavin!” Chloe jumped up from the comfortable-looking modular couch, her brown hair catching gleams of firelight, and gave them each a quick hug. “Come and sit. What would you like to drink?”
Allie wanted water, but there wasn’t a single water glass on the coffee table. “White wine, please?”
“Chardonnay, pinot grigio, or sauvignon blanc?” Ed’s voice came from just behind her.
She pivoted and gave him an overwhelmed smile. “Whatever’s open.”
He winked at her, and she felt better.
Chloe drew them over to the table, where introductions were made. The other guests were the Archers, Ben Cavill, and Priscilla Duval, who had once worked at Trainor Electronics. Priscilla was tall, slender, and so elegant that Allie felt like a frump once again. As Chloe settled them all, Allie found herself beside the doctor, which suited her just fine. Medical matters were well within her wheelhouse, and she could watch Gavin out of the corner of her eye.
“Our guests of honor are stuck in traffic,” Nathan said, “so we’ll wait a little longer for dinner.”
Allie checked out the clothes. The ladies wore pants and blouses just like she did, and the gentlemen were casual in trousers and open-necked shirts. Everyone else might be wearing couture, but at least her ensemble didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Her anxiety trickled away, leaving her relaxed enough to enjoy herself.
The conversation ranged over topics even Allie could contribute to occasionally, although mostly she watched. Chloe was a warm, attentive hostess. However, every now and then, her gaze would go to the gray-eyed, intense Nathan, and the two would exchange a look filled with love. Then there was the blond football legend, Luke Archer, who kept his beautiful, dark-haired wife tucked firmly against his side in a way that tugged at Allie’s heart. So rich people could fall in love, too.
Voices came from the hallway, and everyone swiveled to see Ed usher in another couple. Allie couldn’t believe her eyes when a dark-haired woman with the lovely, serene face of a Madonna glided into the room. Allie stood up abruptly. “Claire? Claire Parker?”
Claire halted and stared. “Wait! Is that Allie Nichols?” she asked.
“I can’t believe it!” Allie said, rounding the sofa and hugging Claire. “I haven’t seen you in, what, ten years?”
“I’m so sorry about your mother’s passing,” Claire said, taking both of Allie’s hands. “She was a wonderful lady. Always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.”
“I miss her,” Allie said, feeling the tears prickle. “How’s your sister doing?”
Claire’s eyes lit with joy. “So much better since she left Frank. In fact, I think we may have a wedding sometime soon. She and Robbie McGraw.”
The giant of a man standing beside Claire cleared his throat.
“Oh, Tim. I’m so sorry. We got caught up in catching up.” Claire smiled in apology. “Allie, this is my husband, Tim Arbuckle.”
“You took over Doc Messer’s veterinary practice,” Allie said, putting her hand in Tim’s enormous grasp.
“You must be from Sanctuary,” Tim said, a twinkle in his eyes. He had a slow smile that made you trust him instantly.
Allie laughed. “How did you guess?”
“It seems to be old home week,” Gavin said from beside Allie. She hadn’t noticed his approach.
Claire threaded her arm through Allie’s. “We all grew up in the same town. I’m a few years older than Allie, but it’s a small place, so everyone knows everyone. Well, except for Tim, because he left when he was really young and returned just a couple of years ago.”
Chloe joined the little group, her face glowing with delight. “I’m patting myself on the back for bringing you all together. Not that I knew I was doing it, but I’ll take credit anyway.”
They decided to go right in to dinner because Tim confessed that he was hungry. “It takes a lot of fuel to keep this body going,” he said.
“I hear you,” Luke Archer said.
As they walked down the hall to the dining room, Claire fell into step beside Allie. “How do you know the Trainors?” she asked in a low voice.
“I just met them. I’m Gavin’s physical therapist,” Allie said. “What about you?”
“I started as Nathan’s art adviser, back when I was in New York. He walked into the gallery where I worked when he started collecting,” Claire said. “But we’ve become friends. I just brought up a new Julia Castillo painting he bought and advised him on the best place to hang it.”
“I heard you’d gotten famous in the art world,” Allie said. “I love it when a fellow mountaineer hits it big.”