Page 50 of Family Affair

"I see. Introduce me?”

Just like that, Dan’s attention, never really on Coco, switched fully to his pal Jeff Anderson. She tagged after them to the deck where the “really important guest,” a tall, skinny fellow with an abnormally huge Adam’s apple, was sipping whiskey surrounded by other career lawmen. He vaguely resembled a cartoon goose and looked about as much fun as boiled oatmeal.

The talk on the deck revolved strictly around bills and clauses and tricks of the lawyer trade. Coco smiled politely, completely lost in the terminology and not caring to understand.

She might have spaced out, because when she refocused on her surroundings, she found herself one-on-one with the Adam Apple VIP. He glanced at her and smiled.

She smiled back.

“Are you enjoying the party, Coco?”

Her headache attacked with a vengeance. “I’m having a blast, thanks. Excuse me, I have to go check on my friend. It was very nice meeting you, Fred.” She hoped she got his name right.

She went back inside, intent on checking on Stella and calling it a night.

She found her friend holding court on the couch. Four men surrounded her in a tight circle, and upon Coco’s approach, all four gave her polite smiles, but none moved to make space. Clearly, the competition for Stella’s attention was fierce, and they no man dared losing ground by giving up his seat to Coco.

After a few minutes of being ignored by the group, Coco left. The thought of a warm cup of tea propelled her toward the kitchen. Meandering through the unfamiliar house, she turned a corner and ran smack into someone with a pool cue. Someone substantial.

“Hey, there. Care for a round of pool?” The guy grinned at her.

It took her a second before Coco recognized Alex Sheffield, dressed casually in jeans and a plaid shirt, a huge deviation from his usual suit and tie attire.

“Hello, Alex.” Coco’s achy head gave her a new round of dull throbs. “Are you enjoying the party?”

“Sort of. Lost twenty bucks to my brother at pool.”

“I’m sure Ross will let you win it back.”

“Ross sucks at pool just like he sucks at everything else. It was Cade.”

Coco’s thoughts scattered like beads on glass.

“Tsk, tsk, Alex.” Ross appeared at her elbow. “Talking trash about me behind my back?”

The pretty boy of the family, tonight Ross also looked a lot younger than his thirty-seven years in black leather pants and a tight black t-shirt imprinted with a confederate flag from armpit to armpit.

Alex’s eye gleamed with an unholy gleam. “If you hate what I’m saying, you really don’t want to know what I’m thinking.”

Coco chuckled, but her attention was no longer on the two men in front of her. Learning that Cade was here made her restless. She didn’t want to run into him. What if he looked like he had the last time, all fey eyes and broad shoulders? And what is she got ensnared again by his proximity, unable to think and unwilling to leave?

“It was nice seeing you, guys,” she quickly said. “I hope you win your money back, Alex.” She was leaving right now.

Wait, no, what was she thinking? She needed a ride.

Her head hurt something bad. She felt nauseous. “I’m going to try my luck and find some tea in Dan’s kitchen.” She did her best to smile.

“Tea? Are you sure you don’t want gin and tonic instead? It’ll perk you right up.” Alex gave her a concerned look.

“Thank you, but no. Maybe later.”

She made it to the kitchen without tripping over her own feet. Phone, phone, where was her phone? She couldn't remember where she left it.

She sank into a chair. Maybe if she sat there for a few minutes, she’d feel more like herself.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Coco started. She hadn’t heard Ross follow her to the kitchen.