Falling For The Right Brother. Kerri Carpenter

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СКАЧАТЬ A party,” he stated. His mother could justify giving a party more easily than some people could drink a glass of water. Although Lilah Dumont was so much more than a party-loving socialite. She could make just as many deals as his father simply by schmoozing during a black-tie event. Where Collin Dumont was old-school business etiquette, Lilah was about face-to-face interaction. Underestimating either her intelligence or business savvy had been the web that caught more than one misjudging fly.

      “Social media is an inexpensive way to throw a party,” Jasper contributed from the corner. “A virtual party. Keeps costs in check, connects you with the right people.”

      “Why not be personal? Why does everything have to be over the computer or smartphone or Instagram?” his mother asked. “People like personal interactions. That still means something.”

      Cam thought he would try and back his brother up. “Jasper does have a point. Perhaps we need to cut down on the amount of parties?”

      His mother looked indignant. “Everyone loves our parties. You know that.”

      “Isn’t less more in this situation?”

      Lilah rolled her eyes. “Less is never more. I despise that saying.”

      On this one topic, his mother and father were in agreement. Cam had to suppress a groan. If another Dumont party was on the horizon, that meant he would have to take out his tux—again—and put on a happy face—again. Two things he hated almost as much as his mother’s parties.

      Jasper appeared to have forgotten his earlier hurt and turned to Cam. “Why aren’t you working your butt off somewhere? Aren’t you usually covered in dirt and sweat by this hour?”

      “I had a meeting with a client earlier this morning.” He grabbed an apple from a large display of fruit placed in the middle of a marble table. “You’ll never guess who I picked up after that.”

      “It’s bad enough that you drive that thing instead of a real car,” Jasper began.

      “Hey, I like my truck. I’d like you to know that Lamborghinis are not the only car available. Anyway, I did a favor for Ted Owens this morning.”

      “His doctor’s appointment,” his dad said from his chair. “I need to give him a call later and see how that went.”

      There were a lot of things that could be said about Collin Dumont, but one area Cam thought his dad did right. He respected his staff, his friends and the other citizens of Bayside. He’d been friends with Ted for years, and Cam heard the note of concern in his voice.

      “Right. He had an appointment, so I had to pick up his daughter.”

      “Ellie?” his mother asked. “She’s back from Italy?”

      “Who’s Ellie?” Jasper wondered.

      Sometimes Cam didn’t know if he should be appalled by or jealous of his brother’s ignorance.

      “You’ve gotta be kidding me, right?” Cam said. “Ellie Owens, the daughter of Ted, former chief of police.” At Jasper’s blank stare, he continued. “You were in the same class in school.”

      “Did we date?”

      Their mother let out a loud chuckle. “Oh, most certainly not.”

      “She was in love with you,” Cam said loudly and slowly, to get through to Jasper.

      “Didn’t she make some video about you that got played at your prom?” their father asked from behind the iPad he was now reading.

      Cam tensed. He’d never understood why Elle had made that video in the first place. The whole thing was out of character. Feeling oddly protective, Cam decided to steer the conversation away from the video talk. “She’s back. I’m not sure for how long, but she’s here now for her dad. She looks amazing, by the way. All grown up.”

      “No kidding?” Jasper’s tune changed quicker than he could get his Lamborghini from zero to sixty.

      “Apparently Europe agreed with her.”

      “Good for her,” Mrs. Dumont put in as she poured more lemonade into her glass. “I always thought she was sweet. And everyone knew how smart she was. Top of her and Jasper’s class. Or she would have been...”

      “Didn’t she throw herself in the bay after that prom?” Collin asked.

      Another aspect of that story that had never made sense to Cam. Supposedly, she’d been so upset after the video aired that she’d pitched herself off the dock into the bay. Some called it a last-ditch effort to get Jasper’s attention.

      “Oh, yeah,” Jasper replied.

      The thing about attempting to drown yourself was that people who did so usually couldn’t swim, Cam thought. Elle had been a great swimmer. He shook his head. A mystery for another time.

      “Invite her to the party on Friday,” Collin contributed, still reading his iPad, no doubt having pulled up the Wall Street Journal.

      “Great idea,” Lilah added.

      “Um, I don’t know if that’s...”

      “I’m willing to extend the olive branch to a hot girl,” Jasper said.

      Cam ignored his brother’s wink. “Did you say Friday? The party is happening this Friday? It’s Wednesday.”

      “Invitations went out two days ago. What is life without a little surprise and excitement?” His mother’s eyes sparkled.

      “I didn’t get an invitation,” Cam said.

      “That’s because I didn’t want to give you a chance to RSVP no.” Lilah beamed at him.

      Cam clenched his teeth. He’d had plans to quit work early on Friday and take a couple of his employees golfing. “What’s the reason for this party?” he asked.

      They all looked at each other for a split second before his mother said “April,” with a definite nod.

      At the same moment his father said, “Flag Day.”

      Cam rolled his eyes, not sure where to start.

      “Oh, who cares why,” his mother called out. “It’s a party, not a funeral, so get that stick out of your a—”

      “Ah, that’s enough,” Collin said, as Cam tucked his tongue in the side of this mouth.

      “But you are expected to be there,” Lilah said, using her I-raised-two-boys-so-don’t-even-think-about-messing-with-me tone.

      “Seriously, Mom.” Cam put his glass down on the table a little harder than he’d meant to and returned the uneaten apple, as well. The sound of heavy crystal hitting marble echoed throughout the room. For a moment, no one spoke. Then Collin looked up from his iPad.

      “Just because you didn’t want to work for the family doesn’t mean you’re not part of it.”

      Cam СКАЧАТЬ