Page 5

Chapter Five

IZZIE

I ’ve been working at the party for a couple of hours, and so far it’s been drama free. Lydia is behaving, for what I can tell. Paco gave her and Mari Carmen plenty of work to do, and he’s been keeping an eye on them. But I know she’s waiting for a moment of distraction to make her escape.

I spotted Jackson Darcy earlier and made sure I didn’t go near him. I want to maintain a positive vibe tonight, and that won’t last if I interact with the man. The party is being held mostly in the garden area of the mansion. There are a few bars spread around, and both high and regular tables covered in white cloth, sofas with Miami Lions branded pillows, and a stage where a band will be playing later. Currently, a DJ is providing the background music.

Suddenly, the DJ stops playing, and a ripple of excitement rolls through the crowd. I halt in my tracks, and from the corner of my eye, I see Jane’s flamenco group move toward the wooden platform installed especially for their performance. There are five dancers, plus the guitar player and the singer.

I put down my empty tray and move closer so I can see her better. I love to watch Jane dance. Our mother used to be a professional flamenco dancer as well, and she taught all of us the art. I wasn’t as good as Jane, so I only learned the basics and how to dance Las Sevillanas, which is akin to learning to ride a bicycle if you’re from Seville, where Mom is from.

I quickly search the perimeter for Jane’s secret fiancé. I bet he’s seen Jane dance before, but if he hasn’t, he’s going to fall even harder for her. She’s mesmerizing. I spot him right at the edge of the performance area, and next to him, Jackson Darcy.

Jane and the other dancers get into their positions, and when the music starts, they begin moving. All the dancers are playing castanets, which makes everything more enthralling. I wish I was a better dancer, because flamenco is so beautiful.

I watch Jane perform for only a few minutes. I know the performance will go on for another twenty, and Paco isn’t paying me to watch my sister dance. Before I resume my duties, though, I spare another glance toward Chad. He only has eyes for my sister and doesn’t notice me staring. His friend, however, does. Our gazes connect and, despite the distance, I know he recognizes me, because he’s glaring in my direction.

Fucking fantastic.

I return to our mobile kitchen, which is hidden from view from the main party area. It’s a modular construction that can be assembled for events and contains everything a catering company needs. It was provided by the client. Usually, we would work from the house’s kitchen, but it’s too far from the party area, and by the time we’d reach the guests, the appetizers would be cold.

Paco put Lydia and Mari Carmen in charge of refilling the trays, but I don’t see either of them in the kitchen.

“Where are the girls?” I ask.

Head chef Julio replies, “They went to watch the flamenco performance.”

Shit. There’s the opportunity Lydia was waiting for. There’s nothing to be done about it now. I have to keep working. I take a refilled tray and return to the party. While I serve guests with a fake smile on my face, I search for my sister. Unfortunately, I don’t see her or Mari Carmen anywhere.

My tray is almost empty, and I’ve begun to walk back to the kitchen when a tall and attractive man draws my attention. “Miss, don’t go yet.”

I stop. “Sorry. I didn’t see you.”

“It’s all right. I haven’t eaten all night, so I figured if hovered near the path to the kitchen, I’d increase my chances.” He scoops up the last canapé from the tray and swallows it one bite.

“I’m sorry we’ve missed you.”

“No worries. It’s my fault. I was busy networking. Would it be considered a faux pax if I followed you?”

“Uh… you can follow me, but my boss probably won’t like it if you come into the kitchen with me.”

“Right. Well, maybe I can wait outside?” He gives me puppy dog eyes, which makes me smile.

“Sure.”

“So, do you do this often?” He walks next to me.

“Work events? No. I usually bartend at Triana.”

“We were just there the other night.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, after we won the Eastern Conference Cup.”

Realization dawns on me. “Oh, you’re a hockey player.”

“Yes. You don’t sound impressed.” He laughs.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound judgmental.”

“Hmm… it seems to me like you’ve had a bad experience with a hockey player in the past.”

I really don’t want to talk about Jackson Darcy with this guy. He seems nice and all, but Darcy is his captain.

“I plead the fifth.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Oh my God. I know exactly who pissed you off. It was Jackson Darcy, wasn’t it?”

“No one pissed me off,” I lie.

“You don’t need to pretend with me. There’s no love lost between Darcy and me. He’s an ass.”

“Well… I don’t really know you.” I stop just outside the mobile kitchen.

“We need to fix that. I’m Gavin Wickham. Now you tell me your name.” He smiles, and the corners of his eyes crinkle.

He’s a bit cocky, but funnily enough, his attitude doesn’t get on my nerves. Maybe it’s because he’s already professed his dislike for Darcy.

“I’m Izzie Bennet.”

“Nice to meet you, Izzie.” He grins from ear to ear, showing perfect white teeth. I doubt they’re real. Losing front teeth seems to be a rite of passage for most hockey players.

“Nice to meet you, Gavin. I’d better go inside and refill my tray.”

He rubs his hands together. “Please do. Bring me something delicious.”

“Everything we’re serving tonight is delicious.”

His stares at me as if he likes what he sees. “I believe you.”

My cheeks warm. I’m not used to receiving this kind of attention from men who look like Gavin. I hurry inside the kitchen before he notices my reaction.