Page 29 of To Catch a Latte Thick as Thieves

“Are you all right?” she asked again.

“Nice legs,” he said between chuckles.

She felt her face grow hot and she straightened her back, striving for dignity. “Thank you,” she said stiffly.

“No, thank you,” he roared.

Annie reached out and grabbed the door, slamming it in his face. Men! Couldn’t live with 'em, couldn’t shoot 'em.

“This is absolutely my last wedding,” she grumbled as Fisher got beside her.

“Until you get married yourself,” he said, starting the car and heading toward the Desert Country Club where the reception was to be held.

“Ha!” She snorted. “No way. Not me.”

“Don’t you plan to have kids?” he asked.

“You don’t have to be married to have kids,” she argued. “People do it all the time.”

“It’s not right,” he said, turning into the resort’s drive.

“Why?” she asked, forgetting her annoyance. She sensed this issue went deep with Fisher and she couldn’t deny her curiosity.

“It just isn’t.” He shrugged.

“But...” she began to protest.

“Look, we’re here,” he interrupted as he parked.

Annie frowned. The man was dodging the issue like a bullet and it was becoming a very annoying habit of his. Perhaps some champagne would loosen his tongue, she hoped.

Annie and Fisher found themselves seated at the head table beside another bridesmaid and her husband. When the new Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Iannocci were announced to the crowd, they all stood up and cheered.

The newlyweds looked radiant. Halfway across the room, Tony swept his bride into his arms and began to waltz around the room with her.

“Oh, aren’t they perfect together?” another bridesmaid asked at Annie.

“Yeah, perfect.” Annie sniffed and Fisher handed her his handkerchief. “Don’t laugh at me.”

“I wouldn’t think of it,” he whispered in her ear and she felt the hair at the nape of her neck prickle. She glanced at him and saw the twitch of his lips that belied his words, but she didn’t call him on it.

“Softy,” he teased.

“I’ve been called worse,” she retorted, pulling her gaze away from his. Those chocolate-brown eyes of his were as lethal to her presence of mind as Godiva chocolates were to her thighs.

“I doubt it,” he said, leaning close. “You’re too nice to inspire any derogatory comments.”

“You don’t know me very well,” she said.

“I know you better than you think,” he returned.

Something in his tone caused Annie to turn away from the waltzing couple and study him. When he turned to meet her glance he wasn’t smiling. Annie felt her heart skip a beat. It was as if he were looking into her very soul. He did know her.

“No, you don’t,” she argued, refusing to believe it. To prove her point, she said, “After all, you think I want to marry and I’m telling you I don’t.”

“No, I think you should marry,” he argued. “I also think you will marry when you meet the right guy.”

“If I were to judge by my parents, it would be right guys,” she said.