Free Lush by Lauren Dane Page A

before giving Ryan a different sort of look.
    17
    They’d keep an eye on things, she knew.
    18
    Which was fi ne as long as they didn’t act like jerks.
    19
    “Gillian says they’ll meet us in the lobby in fi fteen minutes.
    20
    Miles is all over the Empire State Building idea.” Jules nodded
    21
    toward Daisy. “Did you bring your camera?”
    22
    Daisy, who loved to take pictures, held up her bag. “Brought
    23
    the little one for tonight.”
    24
    Mary had left hers at home, sitting on her dining room table.
    25
    Damn.
    26
    “Let’s get moving. I’ll treat you to a drink before everyone
    27
    meets us down there.” Cal linked his arm through hers.
    S28
    N29
    • 61 •
    9780425256084_Lush_TX_p1-308.indd 61
    9780425256084_Lush_TX_p1-308.indd 61
    23/11/12 12:24 PM
    23/11/12 12:24 PM
    Lauren Dane
    01

    • • •
02
    03
    “Hurry the fuck up.” Paddy’s driving left something to be desired.
    04
    He drove like an old woman, not in any great rush to get back
    05
    to Manhattan. They’d been out at the Hamptons looking at a
    06
    place they were thinking of buying and giving to their parents.
    07
    “You got a date or something? What’s the hurry?”
    08
    “As it happens, Mary just arrived and I want to have dinner
    09
    with her.”
    10
    “Oooh, the famous Mary. Can’t wait to fi nally see this chick
    11
    you’ve been mooning over.”
    12
    Vaughan shifted his legs. “Ignore him. He’s just jealous. She
    13
    sounds pretty fabulous. Gillian was talking about her last week.
    14
    Saw some pictures. Hot.”
    15
    “She is. Hot, that is. Smart too. Talented. Don’t tell Mom
    16
    but she’s the most amazing cook. Anyway, I like spending time
    17
    with her. Is that a crime?”
    18
    “No. Can we come to dinner too? I’m starving.” Vaughan
    19
    rubbed his belly.
    20
    “You’re always starving. But yes, you can come. I think Adrian
    21
    and their friends will be there too. I’ll get her alone later.”
    22
    They dropped the car off twenty minutes later and he called
    23
    to see where they were.
    24
    “We’re in the lobby still. Trying to get all these people mov-
    25
    ing is like herding cats. Poor Jules doesn’t deal with chaos well.
    26
    She’s the organizer of the group.”
    27
    He walked around the corner and saw her there, smiling at
    28S
    her friends as she spoke to him.
    29N
    • 62 •
    9780425256084_Lush_TX_p1-308.indd 62
    9780425256084_Lush_TX_p1-308.indd 62
    23/11/12 12:24 PM
    23/11/12 12:24 PM
    Lush
    “That works.” He hung up and tapped her on the shoulder.
    01
    “Hey there.”
    02
    Her confusion melted into a smile and he leaned down to
    03
    kiss her.
    04
    “Welcome to Manhattan.”
    05
    “Are you the offi cial welcome wagon? I can’t imagine the
    06
    budget for such a thing.”
    07
    He kissed her once more quickly because he had to taste a
    08
    little more.
    09
    “Just for you.”
    10
    “Aw, does that mean we don’t get to kiss her?”
    11
    He looked over his shoulder. “Don’t think so. Mary Whaley,
    12
    this is my older brother, Patrick, but everyone calls him Paddy,
    13
    and my younger brother, Vaughan. Guys, this is Mary.”
    14
    She shook their hands and made introductions as well.
    15
    “I’m so hungry. We need to go now. Take pity on me, please.”
    16
    She headed toward the doors and everyone followed. He took
    17
    her hand and she smiled up at him.
    18
    “Have you eaten at the Gramercy Tavern yet?” They’d eaten
    19
    there the last time he and his brothers had been in Manhattan.
    20
    He fi gured she’d love it.
    21
    Her face lit and he was glad he’d suggested it. “I’ve wanted
    22
    to but didn’t have time the last visit.”
    23
    “Since you’re so hungry would you like to eat fi rst? Then we
    24
    can head to the Empire State Building.”
    25
    Adrian nodded. “Good idea. Let’s get a cab over and I’ll see
    26
    if we can’t get a big table or one of their private rooms. Short
    27
    notice I know, but it’s a weeknight.”
    S28
    N29
    • 63