LIZ ANSWERED THE DOOR LOOKING LIKE A KNOCKOUT, as always. In her mid-thirties, was Aubry’s guess, and she looked late twenties at most. Her stunning red hair was cut in a short bob, the silken ends sweeping along her chin. And, despite a busy career as a sports agent, being married to Gavin Riley, the team’s first baseman, and dealing with the couple’s two-year-old daughter, Genevieve, she’d never known a woman more put together, on top of . . .
Everything.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Tucker,” Liz said, her eyes widening as she turned from him to Aubry.
“Aubry.” Liz enveloped her in a tight hug. “I didn’t expect to see you. And you’re with Tucker?”
“Yes.”
“You have to come with me. We have some catching up to do. Tucker, go grab a beer with the guys. They’re downstairs.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He looked over at Aubry. “You okay?”
“Fine. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Don’t worry about him,” Liz said, her arm firmly linked in Aubry’s. “All the guys are downstairs shooting pool or playing video games or whatever it is they all do when they’re not watching sports.”
Liz led her into the kitchen. “First, we get a drink. Mixed or beer or wine?”
“A glass of white would be great. And I’m not picky.”
“All right, then. I’m trying out a new chardonnay tonight, so we’ll both have a glass.”
Liz poured them each a glass of the chardonnay, handed a glass to Aubry, then leaned against the counter. “Before we head into the family room to join everyone else, I have to ask—how long have you been dating Tucker?”
She took a sip of the wine before answering. “Oh, Liz. This is very good.”
“It is, isn’t it? I tried it at one of our favorite restaurants the other night and knew right away I’d have to have some.”
“It’s crisp, not sweet, but not too dry, either. It’s perfect.”
“And you’re avoiding my question.” Liz’s eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Sorry. Not long. We’re hardly dating, really.”
Liz’s brows rose. “Which means what, exactly? That you’re just friends or you’re just in it for the sex?”
Aubry laughed. “I don’t know. It’s too early to make a call. I like him. The sex is good. But as far as a relationship, I don’t know. My work keeps me busy and I haven’t really had any kind of relationship since my undergrad years. Who has time?”
Liz waved her hand back and forth. “You have to make time for the things that are important, Aubry.”
“I am making time right now. For the sex part.”
“Hmm.” Liz studied her. “But you’re not having sex with him right now. You’re here. At my party.”
“Happy birthday, by the way.”
She laughed. “Thank you. It’s just an excuse to have people over and have a good time. I’m ignoring birthdays for the most part these days.”
“Why? You’re gorgeous and you look about my age.”
“You win best compliment of the night since you’re what? Twenty-two?”
Now it was Aubry’s turn to laugh. “Now I feel complimented.”
“How is doctoring going these days?”
“Intense but rewarding. You know I switched over to emergency medicine, right?”
“Yes. Do you like it?”
“I love it. But it does occupy a lot of my time.”
Liz nodded. “Hence the lack of a hot man in your life.”
“Right.”
“Honey, you’ve got one now, don’t you?”
“For the moment.”
Liz pushed off the counter and grabbed the bottle. “Come on, let’s join the other ladies. But before we do, a word of advice.”
“Sure.”
“Tucker’s a great guy, Aubry. He’s smart, damn fine looking, and he’s got a good career ahead of him. You could do a lot worse, you know?”
“I do.”
“So maybe take a few deep breaths, step away from being all-work-all-the-time-Aubry, and have some damn fun. No one says you have to marry the guy.”
“My friend Katie tells me that all the time.”
Liz nudged her with her hip. “Your friend Katie is very smart. You should listen to her.”
They joined a group of the wives and girlfriends of players, along with sports agent Victoria Baldwin, who was good friends with Liz. Liz also introduced her to a few of her neighbors. All in all, a great group of women.
“Where’s Genevieve?” she asked Liz.
“Spending the night with Gavin’s parents. Since my birthday is actually tomorrow, it’s an early gift to me so Gavin and I could enjoy an adults only party. No kids, no little one getting up in the middle of it all, and we get to sleep in tomorrow.”
“Anyone who’s a parent knows what an amazing gift that is,” Shawnelle Coleman, one of the players’ wives said. “And since I have two kids who are spending the night with their grandparents tonight, believe me, I appreciate it just as much.”