Get used to it baby. His life was the National Enquirer on steroids. Dominic glanced at his watch. “We should be able to leave by nine. How’s that?”

“It’s fine as long as no one makes any remarks about—well… you know—us disappearing. Because that would be totally embarrassing.”

“Just stay next to me,” he said, squeezing her hand. “No one will say a word to you. And we’ll be walking out the door at nine—I promise. Now give me a smile. Forty minutes and we’re out of here.”

They stopped in the kitchen first, ordered two of Po’s martinis from the bartender, and while Kate was watching the bartender make the drinks so she’d know how to do it herself, Melanie came up behind Dominic and touched his arm.

He turned with a frown, his gaze on a sleek blonde beyond the kitchen lifting a champagne glass to her mouth. “Why is she here?” he asked in an undertone, lifting his chin slightly in her direction.

“Mother invited her.” Melanie spoke as softly.

“I wonder what Mother promised her?”

“Really? I don’t wonder for a second.”

Dominic shot his sister a black look. “She never fucking quits, does she?”

“Not this side of the grave.”

Dominic snorted softly. “Incentive to stay healthy and outlive her.”

“Or turn saintly.”

“That’s for people like you, sis. People like me wouldn’t recognize a saint if her halo was hitting me over the head.”

“Mother’s meddling aside, it looks like Charlie will be wasting her time tonight.”

“Tonight or any night. I took her out a couple times, that’s it. Why she’s never given up is beyond me.”

“You must have shown her a really good time.”

Dominic glowered at his sister.

“You could have told Julia not to hire her. You should have,” Melanie added firmly.

“Julia’s NGO was her business. I never interfered.”

“Except to fund it.”

He shrugged. “It made her happy.”

“You’re too nice, Dominic. You should fire Charlie. Or have someone in your organization fire her. She doesn’t have to work. She’s just hoping to get her claws into you and she’s willing to play her role as concerned citizen of the world while she’s waiting to snare your fine ass.”

“Good luck with that.” He glanced over his shoulder at Kate, waited to catch her eye, then blew her a kiss.

Melanie gave her brother a teasing look. “You must have had fun with all your freshening up.”

He turned back. “Off the charts. I’m a very lucky man.”

“Lucky about what?” Kate asked, coming up, carrying their drinks.

“Lucky that I found you, baby.” Taking his drink, he leaned in and kissed her. “I was just telling sis that we’re not staying long. After the chess game with Nicole we’re escaping.”

“You should say hi to Roscoe,” Melanie said. “He came in a few minutes ago.”

“I will before we leave. I’ll bring him one of these.” Lifting the glass to his mouth, Dominic drained it and handed it to a passing server.

Melanie said, “I’d like to steal Katherine for a short time so she can meet Gretchen. She’s my dearest friend,” she added, smiling at Kate. “Dominic, tell Katherine she’ll like Gretchen.”

Kate looked at Dominic, pretended to smile.

“You’ll like her. Really,” he gently said, putting his arm around Kate’s shoulder. “Gretchen’s a partner in a cyber security firm. Stay with me if you like, but you might enjoy talking with her. She was ahead of you at MIT.” He turned to his sister. “Gretchen’s closer to my age than yours, right?”

“She’s a year older than you. Give me five minutes,” Melanie coaxed Kate, recognizing her reluctance. “Just come say a quick hi.”

Putting his mouth to Kate’s ear, Dominic murmured, “I’ll expect you upstairs in five minutes.” Then he turned Kate slightly and kissed her under everyone’s fascinated gazes.

A small hiss ran through the crowd at the spectacle, because Dominic never engaged in open displays of affection. Caught up in the glow of the moment, bathed in happiness, Kate didn’t hear the soft whisper of sound resonating around the room. She only delighted in Dominic’s tender kiss—different from hot desire, sweet, almost wistful. “Okay,” she whispered when his mouth lifted from hers, “I’ll see you in five minutes.”

“I’ll be waiting.” He glanced at his sister. “Don’t keep Katherine too long.” Then he smiled at Kate. “Follow the noise when you get upstairs. They’re not a quiet bunch.”

Melanie led Kate through the crowd, avoiding all the guests who were interested in meeting her after Dominic’s very public kiss. Melanie merely nodded or smiled in passing, not slowing down to chat. “Most of these people won’t be of interest to you,” she murmured, waving at a couple who were openly staring. “Some are neighbors who’d be offended if they weren’t invited, some are my friends, some are Matt’s friends from work or play—he’s a sports fanatic. There isn’t a sport he doesn’t play. Dominic’s not much better. Then there are some of Mother’s friends whom I try to avoid, ah—there’s Gretchen.” Melanie drew Kate to a young woman who was standing at the windows, gazing at the lights of a ship coming into the bay. She wore a pantsuit, as if she’d come from work, her dark hair expensively cut so it swung in a sleek, ebony wave when she turned at Melanie’s greeting. A smile lit up her eyes. “Great party, Mel.” She held up her flute. “Great bubbly.”