“Good. And Evelyn says you’re coming up for fittings?”
He grimaced. “Only if I have to.”
“You promised. And you have to.”
“You’re not going to make me wear anything stupid, are you?”
“You mean like a clown suit? No. Nothing stupid like that.”
He gave her a dubious look. “Carolina. What exactly are you putting me in?”
She squeezed his arm. “Clothes that will make you look fabulous, obviously.”
Evelyn slid her arm around Gray’s side. “What? You don’t trust your sister?”
“Not a bit.”
Carolina laughed and moved off, finding her father and mother talking to an Oklahoma senator she knew well. She stopped and chatted with them for a few minutes, then excused herself, wandering around to make sure the guests were all taken care of. If there was one thing her mother had taught her, it was how to be a good hostess. And since her mother was occupied, it was up to her to see to the guests.
She mingled for about an hour, chatting up the guests and making sure to thank them for coming tonight. She crossed paths with Gray and Evelyn a few times, who were doing the same thing—playing good hosts.
But she hadn’t seen Drew. She wondered if he was hiding out. Not that she’d blame him. Sometimes these parties could be excruciating, especially if you didn’t know everyone.
She finally spotted him in a corner with their neighbor, Gil Nelson, and Senator Ed Langton, the three of them engrossed in some deep conversation. She had no idea what they could possibly be discussing, so she surreptitiously made her way in that direction, hoping to eavesdrop.
“You’re out of your mind, Drew. St. Louis has the edge in the playoffs this year. Grant Cassidy, their quarterback, has the best stats in the NFL this year. He’s taking them all the way.”
Drew shook his head. “I think you’re full of it, Senator. It’s New York all the way this year.”
Senator Langton let out a loud snort. “I don’t know what’s in that drink, son, but you’re delusional.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to agree with the senator, Drew. Cassidy has the talent at quarterback, and with Cole Riley at wide receiver, the two of them are unbeatable.”
“I think you’re both going to be disappointed when your team crashes and burns.”
Sports. Of course. Carolina shook her head and started to wander off, but a few minutes later, a hand wrapped around her upper arm.
“Thought you’d escape, huh?”
She smiled at Drew. “Well, you were all tied up arguing about football.”
“We’re done. They don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“And I suppose you do.”
“You bet I do. New York will take it all this year.”
Since she had zero investment in football, she nodded. “Okay. I’ll take your word for it.”
“Not a fan?”
“I don’t watch a lot of football.”
“But you know the teams. I mean, come on. You’re a New Yorker. You have to be a die-hard fan.”
She laughed. “No, I don’t.”
“I’m not sure I can continue to talk to you if you’re not going to take a stand here.”
“What are your thoughts about cashmere versus silk?”
He frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Exactly.”
“Oh. I get it. You have about as much interest in football as I do in fabric.”
“See? I knew you were smart.”
“But you like hockey.”
“I do like hockey. I also like baseball.”
“But not football.”
She shrugged. “Never got into the sport much.”
He followed her as she wound her way through the rooms.
“And obviously, you like auto racing.”
“Obviously.”
“Do you ever go and watch Gray race?”
“Yes, when I can get away from work. I also go to watch baseball games. And of course, hockey games.”
“But again, not football?”
“No.”
“I’m taking you to a game.”
She paused to look up at him. “Totally not necessary.”
“I feel it’s my duty to educate you. You don’t know what you’re missing. I’ll get us playoff tickets. You can spare a few hours to go to the game. You can’t work twenty-four hours a day.”
“Can’t I?” He was right, of course, but she was enjoying bantering with him.
“You probably would. But you shouldn’t.”
“What shouldn’t my daughter be doing?”
Carolina cringed when her mother came up beside her.
“I’m trying to educate your daughter about the wonders of football, Mrs. Preston. It turns out she’s not a fan.”
Her mother looked at her. “You’re not? How did I not know this?”
“I don’t know, Mom. Surely this doesn’t surprise you.”
“I thought you liked all sports.”
“Correction. I like a lot of sports. I’ve just never gotten into football.”
“And I told her I could take her to see a New York playoff game. She’s trying to tell me she has to work.”
Mrs. Preston shook her head. “She’s always working. Too hard, unfortunately. Drag her away from work for a few hours and make her go breathe in some fresh air, Drew.”