Breaking the Rules by Jennifer Archer

Author:Jennifer Archer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2012-11-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Claire heard James’s toast and the musical clink of crystal tapping crystal. But as the others in her group lowered their glasses to drink, hers remained in midair.

Mitch headed toward her table, a determined expression on his face, a drawstring bag slung over his shoulder, his camera at his side. The khaki shorts and white short-sleeved shirt he wore brought out his tan. Starched, pressed, and combed, he seemed a far different version of the rumpled man she’d left behind that morning. Either way, Mitch Talbott was too great looking for his own good. Or hers.

She searched for cameras. To her relief, the only ones she spotted were busy filming other disasters in progress.

“Claire? Are you okay?”

Ally’s voice tugged her gaze from Mitch. Claire managed a tight smile for the benefit of her table companions. “Why wouldn’t I be?” She lowered her drink and sipped. What was Mitch thinking? He would get them both into trouble if he let on that they’d spent time together.

“Claire?”

It was Mitch’s voice now. For one woozy, lightheaded moment, fainting seemed her best option. The perfect escape. A nice little nosedive into the shrimp dip. Effective, but messy. She looked up and smiled. “Hello. Do I know you?”

The corner of his mouth quivered as he set the camera down beside him. Claire noticed that his eyes were the softest shade of brown and brimming with curiosity. They held her gaze like gravity, tugging her heart every direction but the one she wanted to go.

“Oh, I recognize you now! You’re one of the camera crew, aren’t you?” Every stare at the table seared into her like laser beams.

“Yeah, I am, and—”

“Oh! Your voice!” She laughed. “You’re not…?”

Mitch rubbed a hand across his mouth, but not before Claire noticed the dimple in his left cheek—the one she’d known would be there. “Everyone, this is the man I told you about. The one who found me on the beach last night during the blackout.” She returned her attention to Mitch. “Mitch isn’t it? Mitch Talbott?”

“That’s right.”

When she set down her glass to shake his hand, the goblet toppled forward, spilling wine down her dress.

James’s eyes narrowed a fraction, his gaze alternating between her and Mitch.

Ally calmly slipped Claire a napkin, squeezing her fingers on the handoff.

“I guess I owe you one for taking care of my fiancée last night, Mr. Talbott,” James said. He shook Mitch’s hand. “I’m James Watson.”

Fiancée. Claire winced. She didn’t miss the shift in Mitch’s expression over the F-word. Why, oh, why hadn’t she told him she was engaged? Mitch’s theory about couples and honesty came to mind and she winced again.

“I owe you, too,” Ally said. “Claire’s become a friend over the last couple of weeks. If you hadn’t come along when you did last night, she might be dodging barracuda out in the middle of nowhere as we speak.” She giggled. “Of course, that would mean one less competitor, so maybe I shouldn’t be thanking you.” She turned. “No offense, Claire.”

Claire’s cheeks sizzled as she dabbed the front of her dress with a napkin.

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