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Except she insists we’re just friends.

This, whatever we’re doing that ends this weekend, is a fling.

“Hey, Cas.”

Cas turned to shake the outstretched hand of the man approaching him, relieved to find a friend in the crowd. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Antonio?”

“I’ve taken on Anna’s load.” Antonio grimaced.

“But you’d rather be elsewhere.”

“The way you’re looking at Beatriz, you’d rather be elsewhere.”

Cas pushed a hand through his hair. “Am I that obvious?”

“Only to someone in a similar position, and you share some facial expressions with your sister.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Don’t look now, but Jackson Smithers just arrived.”

“Do you have a problem with him?” Cas glanced over his shoulder.

Jackson Smithers stood at the entrance, a woman on his arm. Young, obviously adoring. Instinctively, Cas searched the room for Beatriz. She looked stunned, as if someone had upended a bucket of icy water over her head. The intern. Jackson had got to Beatriz’s intern.

“Al’ama.”The way things are going, I’ll be needing stronger curses.

“Anna warned me to be careful around him. Said he’s a snake, and I trust her judgement. Antonio put a restraining hand on his arm. “You can’t make a scene.”

“He’s about to.”

Beatriz turned to the person beside her, her smile back in place, but the serpent had entered the garden.

“Speaking from experience, these functions aren’t the place for Sir Galahad theatrics. Bea needs to handle this her own way.”

* * *

Beatriz caught theheavily floral scent first, then the young woman came to a halt beside her.

“Can I steal Beatriz for just a minute,” the young woman said.

“Of course.” The graphic artist who’d been asking Bea for the lowdown on Anna’s honeymoon floated away.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Rachel?” Bea made it a question.

“Jackson brought me.” She pointed toward where Jackson stood, leaning against a post, sending his minion to do his dirty work. Although Rachel probably didn’t see it that way.

“It’s good to have a guide to these functions. Your first few can be a bit intimidating.” Bea forced herself to remain calm, but her stomach was churning at racing-yacht speed.

“Jackson told me what you were trying to do,” Rachel said softly, her blood-red nails pressing against Bea’s wrist, effectively holding Bea in place. “That you’re jealous of him and told Martin he cheated at the interview. Said Jackson took something from your backpack.”

“I’m not jealous.” Bea looked her in the eye. “I’m angry.”

“Same thing. I was interviewed. I told the truth. You asked Jackson to take the Landgemacht brochures from your backpack.”

“You didn’t hear me say that, because it’s not true.”

“Jackson told me you did. It’s your word against his.”