One Long Embrace (Eternal Bachelors Club #5)

Hunter leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms over his chest, grinning. “I have time.”


“I really don’t know where to start,” Jay answered evasively.

“Start with her name. Who is she? I don’t think I know her.”

“Tara Pierpont.”

Hunter shrugged and stepped into the room, his eyes roaming. “Doesn’t ring a bell. Where did you meet her?”

“At the Gilberts’ party.”

Hunter shook his head. “Well, at least one person scored at that event. What a disaster that turned out to be. You can’t go anywhere in the Hamptons right now without hearing talk about that fight. Poor Paul. Do you think we should call him to see if there’s anything we can do?”

“He’s back in New York. His sister told me.”

“And Holly?”

“I don’t know. Olivia didn’t mention anything about her, and I wasn’t about to ask.” Particularly since he’d been beating up Olivia’s husband at the time, though he wasn’t going to admit that to his friend.

Hunter pulled his cell phone from his pocket and dialed. “Let’s check up on him and see if he’s all right.”

He pressed the speaker button, and Jay could hear the phone ring, when his own ringtone suddenly sounded. He looked at his cell. “Speak of the devil.”

He pressed answer, then the speaker button, while Hunter disconnected the call on his phone.

“Hey Paul, we were just talking about you.”

“Who’s we?”

“It’s me, Hunter,” his friend replied, bending closer to the phone in Jay’s hand.

“Hey guys. What are you doing?”

“Jay’s giving me a tour of his new house,” Hunter replied.

“Cool place, huh?” Paul asked.

Jay didn’t give Hunter a chance to answer. “So what’s up with you? I heard you’re back in New York. Are you all right?”

“Never better.”

Jay exchanged a look with Hunter.

“You sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well. Just thought, you know, the party, Holly. Hey buddy, we just wanted to see if there’s anything we can do.”

Paul chuckled. “Actually, there is. You guys can start planning my bachelor party, if you’re not too busy.”

Jay nearly choked on his own saliva. “You’re getting married?”

“Holly accepted my proposal last night.”

He met Hunter’s surprised stare. Clearly, his friend hadn’t expected this turn of events either. “Wow, I guess, that’s congratulations then?”

“Don’t sound so hesitant!” Paul chastised, laughing. “I couldn’t be happier.”

“I’m happy for you, Paul.”

“Congratulations!” Hunter added. “So when’s the wedding? This fall, or are you gonna wait till the spring?”

“Don’t have that kind of time. We’re getting married in two weeks.”

“In two weeks?” Jay asked.

“I wanna make sure my baby gets my name.”

Hunter’s mouth dropped open. “Holly is pregnant?”

“You’re a fast worker! First Daniel, then you! What’s in the water you guys are drinking?” Jay shook his head, laughing. “Looks like we have to call in an extraordinary meeting of the club soon to expel you.”

“Trust me,” came Paul’s voice through the line. “Being expelled has never sounded better.”

“We’d better get our skates on to throw you that bachelor party then,” Hunter agreed.

“Give our love to Holly, will you?” Jay added, ready to disconnect the call.

“Wait, there’s something else.”

“What is it?” Jay asked.

“The reason I’m calling. I got your email. You’re looking for a new designer. I have a candidate for you.”

“You do? Great! Send his resume and portfolio over to my assistant Karina. You have her details, right?”

“Yeah, sure do. It’s not a guy, though. It’s a woman. Jane York. She doesn’t have an awful lot of experience, but her portfolio looks awesome. Just give her a chance, will you?”

“As long as you vouch for her, I’ll let Karina know to set up an interview.”

“Thanks, buddy! Bye guys! I’ll email you details for the wedding. It’s just gonna be a civil ceremony. Hope you’ll come.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Hunter promised.

“Ditto!” Jay agreed and disconnected the call.

He looked at his friend. Hunter spoke first. “Can you believe this?”

“Holly’s a great girl. You’ve seen how they look at each other.” There was no doubt in Jay’s mind that the two were smitten with each other.

“Yeah, but it’s all happening rather fast, don’t you think?”

Jay shrugged. “I guess sometimes you just know when it’s the right person.” And right now he envied Paul just a tiny bit that he’d found that person.

Hunter chuckled. “And so the membership of the Eternal Bachelors Club is rapidly dwindling. It’s like a wildfire that’s spreading.” He tilted his head. “Getting back to our earlier conversation: what’s this business with you and Tara Pierpont? Does she have an aversion to Ferraris?”

“You could say that.”

“I don’t think I get it.”