Cigar in hand, he gently clutched the back of her arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Looks like I caught you in the middle of a meeting? I was in the neighborhood and stopped by just to say hello.”

The austerity emanating from his voice led her to believe otherwise. Robert Lowell never simply dropped by to say hi. There was always an ulterior motive.

“My day is slammed, but I’ve got a few minutes.”

“We can visit later if you’re too busy. Do you have plans for dinner tonight?”

He’s definitely prying. “No, I don’t have plans for dinner, but I’ll have to pass. It’s one of my most hectic weeks of the year and I’ll be exhausted by the time I get home.”

“I golfed with Jason this morning.” His no-nonsense interjection…absolutely intentional. “It’s my understanding you went on a date last night. A silly movie premier of some sort.” He wafted the cigar in the air adding emphasis to the triviality.

“Wow.” She nipped. “The day’s barely even begun and you’ve played a round of golf and taken a swing at interfering in my life.”

“We shot a round of Early Bird at the club. And there’s no need for you to take that tone.”

“Cut to the chase, Dad. What is it you want to know?”

Her father had a difficult time leaving his legendary direct questioning and pre-calculated arguments in the courtroom.

“I simply stopped in to wish you luck this weekend. I’m thrilled you finally took my advice and decided to see Jason. He has a good head on his shoulders. A real future with that one…” A brief, but premeditated hesitation. “More than those other men you date.”

“I hate to break it to you, Dad, but Jason and I went to the silly movie premier as friends.” Though the film was certain to be a box office hit, her father would never give Summer one ounce of credit. Not even if it was well deserved. “And I hate to crush your ridiculous dream of Jason being your perfect son-in-law…but it’s not going to happen. There won’t be another date.”

“Now, Carrie Ann, why do you always have to be so stubborn? I was merely…”

“Probably because I have your genes.” She interrupted, hoping to stifle the impossible examination of her personal life that would surely ensue if she didn’t put a halt to him. “You know how much I love a good debate and stubborn doesn’t quite cover our disposition, now does it, Dad?”

“Thankfully you take after your mother as well. You’re blessed with her logic which always outwitted my tenacity. And you have her unmistakable beauty.” The authority in his voice faded. Sounds of outdoors absorbed their silence. The show of sentiment was a rare, but touching occurrence, one that only happened when he spoke of her mother. She’d been the love of his life. A love he was never able to quite replace. “I’m sorry I can’t make the Auction this year. There’s simply too much at stake in the case I’m working on. I can’t risk trusting anyone else to get it done right. I’ll send a substantial donation.”

Avoiding an argument, she overlooked the fact that he could indeed show up. It’s not like he was leaving the country and he’d known about it for months. Her father supported her cause, generously. However, she suspected it was too much for him emotionally due to the painful reminders of the loss of her mother.

Or at least that’s how Carrie Ann chose to see it.

“Thank you.”

“Your sister will be there to represent the family.”

“Represent the family? Is that what you’re going to call it?”

“I’ll send part of my donation in lieu of your sister and let her bid on a bachelor.”

“Please, don’t do me any favors. She’ll just show up to crash my party.” Carrie Ann’s half-sister, put the social in socialite. Tanya was ten years younger and the daughter of her father’s second wife. They were complete opposites, each mimicking their mothers. “I fully expect to see Tanya. There’ll be too many prominent single men with means all congregated in one room for her not to show up.”

“Your sister’s tastes differ from yours. Her interests gravitate more towards men who come from good stock.”

“Good stock? You’re kidding right? Her last boyfriend got arrested for drugs.”

“The charges were dropped and his parents sent him to the best rehab facility in—”

“Don’t encourage her, dad. The last thing I need is Tanya showing up with an unlimited amount of funds. She’ll bid on every bachelor and I really need to save some for the other hundreds of charitable contributors.”

“Choosing the right person is like investing. You have to diversify your portfolio while thinking long term.”

“If you ask me, I think she prefers penny stocks,” she grumbled, sauntering beneath the patio to shade herself from the sun. “You make things too easy for her, Dad.”

“I try to make life easier for both of you, Carrie Ann. You each get the same amount allocated every month. Don’t forget she’s ten years younger than you.”

At the age of thirteen, each daughter gained access to a limited amount of money their father set aside for them. An allowance of sorts…a ridiculous sum of money that could make the smartest most mild-mannered child lose control and run wild on Rodeo Drive. The pre-inheritance, as her father called it, increased at the ages of sixteen, eighteen and again at twenty five.

Tanya constantly got a free pass when it came to her bad behavior simply because she came from different stock, as he called it. Growing up, Tanya’s mother boasted of her “Open Parenting” theory. Meaning Tanya was allowed to do and act however she wanted with whomever she wanted as long as she could explain why she thought it was a good idea. In other words, she did whatever the hell she wanted starting at birth.

“If I remember correctly, I wasn’t a train wreck ten years ago. You should really stop making excuses for her. She’s spoiled and out of control.”

“You were never a train wreck.”

“Look, Dad. I don’t want to re-hash this shit again. Not today. This isn’t the All About Tanya Show. This is my gig. My work. My passion. If you could—”

“Maybe your sister would enjoy a quick trip to Las Vegas this weekend with a few friends?”

Her shoulders slumped forward as a deep sigh filled with gratitude seeped from her lips. She glanced to the side witnessing an unusual site of mute benevolence masking the hard lines of his face.

Carrie Ann smiled appreciatively. “I think she would love a quick trip to Vegas.”

The subject was settled with a small nod from each. Making their way toward the grand foyer, he lifted his palm to the blade of her shoulder, curling his stubby fingers over the top. “I have no doubt the evening will be a success. Proud of you, Carrie Ann. Your mother would be too.”

Growing up, her father passed out compliments sparingly, making each one all that more significant. She wrapped her arm behind his waist, tilting her head against his shoulder. “That means a lot to me.”

Chapter Five

‡

Pops of colorful dresses accentuated a sea of extravagant red gowns and designer black tuxes floating beneath the starry canopy. In a zip code known for its paper thin beauties, Carrie Ann flourished in a full length strapless gown crafted from delicate chiffon. Her regal beauty displayed in the sweetheart neckline and diagonally ruched bodice, making the most of her hourglass shape. She wore her dark locks swept back into a chic and sexy loose French twist.

Luckily, the storm front moving in held off a day, but she had to admit, she loved the tent. Mediterranean chic mixed with Hollywood glam creating a sophisticated cocktail lounge reminiscent of a luxurious retreat. Crystal chandeliers hung from the canopy filling the outdoor ballroom with a warm glow of intimate lighting. Spikes of energy sizzled through the atmosphere. The rush of adrenaline in her veins replaced several months’ worth of tension.