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all for coming tonight,” she said.

Tammy stiffened, slanted one more glance in my direction, before darting from the garden, leaving me with the urge to chase her down, to clock her over the head, and drag her back to my home, caveman style.

I didn’t, obviously.

Because one, I wasn’t a caveman and I’d never been with a woman who’d not wanted me, let alone chased one down who was clearly trying to escape my presence.

And two, because Maggie kept talking.

“But I wanted to extend the biggest thank you to the man who brought Aaron and me together, who was instrumental in our dueling engagement plots—” The crowd laughed here, and I knew I needed to get out there, knew that she would be saying my name. I headed for the exit then stopped.

Because . . . the stockings.

Probably, I should have left them.

But some perverse part of me wanted to touch the silk that had encased those sexy legs.

“My boss, my best friend, and one of the greatest people in all the world . . .”

I snatched them up, darted out of the garden, just in time for Maggie to say, “Talbot!”

Her eyes found mine, joy in their depths, and then she came to me, hugging me tight, her lips to my ear. “Thank you, Tal,” she murmured. “Thank you for everything.”

Light applause greeted her words, and I hugged her back. “You deserve every moment of it.” Then I released her and told the crowd, “Let’s all have a drink for the future bride and groom’s happy marriage.”

Louder applause this time.

She nudged my shoulder.

“You always do know how to play the crowd.”

I kissed the top of her head, surreptitiously glancing around for Tammy. She was in a circle of conversation, just a few feet away from us, and glaring at me.

Which made me smile.

Her lips flattened further. But her eyes . . . in those pretty hazel eyes there was heat.

Oh yes, I needed to find a way to make this woman mine.

Chapter Four

Tammy

I could have stayed in the small cottage on the back of Artie and Pierce’s property where the party had been held. They’d offered.

Yup, freaking movie stars had offered.

But I’d declined, even though Maggie had already moved out.

She’d been staying to save up money to buy a place in the expensive Los Angeles real estate market, but considering she was going to marry Aaron—who co-owned a series of successful wineries located all over the world, each with a house for them to use on property, Mags hadn’t needed the space.

So now she had a nest egg and houses around the world.

Who could complain?

Certainly, not my blissfully happy childhood friend. The same friend who’d left our small town and built a successful life for herself. We’d only just begun to reconnect, and I was glad for it—and not because of the Hollywood connection. Maggie was a good person, and I hadn’t had too many good people in my life.

It was nice to add another.

Still, none of that, Hollywood or good people or tempting digs or otherwise, were why I wasn’t staying in the guest house.

Nope.

This was my first time visiting L.A. The first time I’d been to California.

So, I was making the most of it.

I had all of the tourist sites planned out, starting with a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth in the morning. Yup, I was hitting the amusement park, and I was going to gorge myself on churros and popcorn and soft pretzels and ice cream. I was going to pay exorbitant amounts of money for souvenirs and had already purchased an entrance ticket that cost in the realm of what I’d spent on my first car. I was set, and the best part?

My hotel was right across the street.

I couldn’t wait to spend the entire day walking around and seeing the sights and experiencing every attraction until my feet felt ready to fall off. And then, only then, would I go back to my hotel room and collapse into bed.

I couldn’t freaking wait.

But first, I needed to get to my car.

I found Maggie, gave her a quick hug, during which she reminded me of my upcoming dinner three nights from then.

“I’m so glad you came,” she said, holding my hands tight after I’d promised I would be there.

“I needed the vacation,” I told her. “This gave me the perfect excuse.” I lightly squeezed her hands. “I’m so happy for you both. I’m glad you found your way back to each other.”

Mags hadn’t just left Darlington when she’d gone out to chase her dreams. She’d left the boy who loved her. She’d left Aaron.

And that road back to each other hadn’t been the least bit easy.

“Thanks,” she whispered.

“I’ll see you in a few days,” I whispered back.

I waved to Aaron, picked up my purse and coat from the bag check area, and then meandered my way down the long driveway filled with cars. My feet absolutely ached, and my legs were chilly, sans stockings—which I just remembered I’d left in the garden.

For a moment, I debated going back and retrieving them.

But then I’d need to weave back through the guests and potentially have to explain why I’d taken them off in the first place, and that would make for an awkward conversation—

Which wasn’t why I was avoiding going back.

Nope. That had to do with putting as much distance between myself and one Talbot Green.

The man with the golden eyes was dangerous to my psyche.

He made those fantasies want to be real.

And that was the real fantasy, because they never would be.

With that lovely, cynical thought, I shrugged into my coat, pulled the keys to my rental out, and continued walking. I’d parked outside the gate, a long way down the road. The guest list was quite extensive, and I hadn’t dared to navigate my way through the Bentleys and Range Rovers.

Also, yay for a long walk in these freaking heels.

I should have packed sneakers in my purse. That would have made it so