Read Online After the Party by Jackie Braun - Free Book Online Page B

characteristics.
    “I’ll defer to the lady,” Chase said when the waiter finished. “How does that sound, Ella?”
    “I’ve had the previous year’s vintage and did not care for it.”
    “You will find this one much better.”
    “All right.”
    “Bring a half carafe,” Chase instructed.
    “Excellent, sir.” With that, the young man withdrew.
    She studied her menu, well aware that Chase was studying her.
    “I’ve changed my mind,” she said.
    “About?”
    “Eating more than dessert. I love their portobello mushrooms. They’re grilled and topped with roasted red peppers and goat cheese.” She set the menu on the table. “Does that sound all right to you for an appetizer?”
    He nodded. “Ella—”
    “Can it wait?”
    “Can what wait?”
    “The inquisition. I know you have questions.”
    “I do,” he agreed on a slow nod. “All right. They can wait.”
    Chase was true to his word. Of course, she’d expected him to be. Ella had pegged him to be the sort of man who said what he meant and meant what he said. It was a quality she greatly appreciated as she savored the last bite of portobello.
    “You should serve these at your dinner party,” she suggested, reaching for her wine. “They’re a great way to start a meal. Your guests would love them. The Colton does catering. As you must know, their food is always excellent.”
    “Are they a contact of yours?” He offered one of his almost-smiles.
    “I guess they are. In a manner of speaking.” She sipped her wine. The waiter had been right about the vintage. It was much better than the label’s previous year. When her mind started to wander to the subpar merlot that stained her carpet and the kiss she’d shared with Chase, she decided it was time to get down to business.
    “Tell me about this party of yours. Have you decided on a guest list?”
    “I...yes.”
    She narrowed her eyes and asked, “How many people are we talking?”
    “I’m thinking...six.”
    “You just plucked that number out of the air, didn’t you?” she accused, regaining her humor. It felt good to laugh.
    “Yes.”
    She gave him points for honesty. “So, does this six include you?”
    “Uh, no.”
    Ella recalled her stepmother’s admonitions against uneven numbers at social gatherings. Camilla might have been a back-stabbing bitch, but she knew about such things. “If you are hosting couples, you really should invite a date for yourself. Are...you seeing anyone?”
    The question wasn’t purely professional. It had nagged at her since that infamous lip-lock earlier in the week.
    “I’m not in a relationship, if that’s what you mean.” He leaned toward her. “I wouldn’t have kissed you if I was.”
    “Good to know.” Or was it? As her body began to tingle, she wondered.
    Chase turned the question around. “What about you, Ella? Are you involved with anyone?”
    “Not recently.” Bradley was her last serious boyfriend, and they were ancient history.
    “Good.”
    Those tingles continued when the right side of his mouth quirked up.
    “So, will you be inviting a date?” she asked. Since they were awaiting their entrees, she pulled out the notepad and uncapped a pen.
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Dinner for seven.” She jotted it down.
    “Eight.” When she glanced up, Chase added. “You’re welcome to join us.”
    “I...” She wasn’t sure how to respond. In truth, she wasn’t particularly clear on what constituted proper party planner etiquette, but his offer was damned tempting.
    “You can make some contacts,” Chase went on. “Hand out your business cards.”
    “That’s really nice of you.” And, from a purely practical perspective, very appealing. “I’ll leave some of my cards with you.”
    “But you won’t stay.”
    She shook her head. “I may be brand-new at this, but I have a feeling it wouldn’t look very professional for me to be both your planner and a guest at your table.”
    He conceded the point with a nod. From his