The Wedding Party Collection. Кейт Хьюит
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that idea, Betsy took a big bite of her slice of pizza and washed it down with a sip of soda. “Ryan told me Tripp should be back in Jackson next week.”
“That’s what he told me, too,” Adrianna said in an offhand tone.
Intrigued, Betsy lifted a brow.
“Tripp called this morning and mentioned he was relocating. Because I know Jackson Hole so well, he wanted my help and thoughts on various rental possibilities.”
“Why would he need your help?” Betsy pulled her brows together. “The guy grew up here.”
A deep red inched its way up Adrianna’s neck.
“It’s been a long time since he’s been home,” Adrianna responded, then promptly changed the subject. “What shall we do tonight? Do you have any thoughts?”
“A movie?”
“We could.” Adrianna expelled a sigh. “But there’s not anything good playing right now.”
Wally’s Place was an option. Until this moment Betsy had planned to keep Adrianna away from the popular sports bar because she knew Ryan would be there. But perhaps she needed to rethink her strategy. As long as Ryan thought he was in love with Adrianna, any feelings he might be developing for Betsy wouldn’t stand a chance.
He needed to be around Adrianna so he could see just how incompatible they were....
Risky. But deep in her heart, Betsy believed she stood a chance. A good chance. When they were slinging snowballs and insults at each other today, she’d felt a connection. The look she’d seen in his eyes told her he’d felt it, too.
“We could check out Wally’s Place.” Betsy’s casual tone was at odds with her racing heart. “They have a live band tonight.”
Adrianna took another bite of pizza, thought for a moment, then nodded. “Sounds like fun.”
“Would it make you uncomfortable if Ryan were there?” Betsy had to ask. Adrianna didn’t appreciate surprises.
“What makes you think he’ll be there?”
“From what he’s said, he usually goes there on the weekends.”
“Ah, now I understand.” A knowing look filled Adrianna’s eyes. “This is all part of some grand plan, isn’t it?”
Betsy simply smiled and let her beautiful friend draw her own conclusions, praying this “grand plan” wouldn’t blow up in her face.
* * *
“Sure you don’t want to come with me?” Betsy asked with a smile so appealing that Ryan was almost tempted to agree. Emphasis on the word almost. He didn’t like Benedict Campbell enough to go three feet, much less push his way through a crowded room simply to greet the guy.
He lifted his glass of beer. “I’m a little busy.”
Betsy rolled her eyes and pushed back her chair. “I guess that means I go by myself.”
She pretended to be irritated with Adrianna, who’d also refused her request. But Ryan wasn’t fooled. It was obvious she’d set it up so that he and her friend could have some time alone together.
He cast a sideways glance. As always, Adrianna looked stunning. Tonight she wore a green sweater and jeans that hugged her slender curves and made her legs look as though they went on forever. The overhead light played off the auburn highlights in her hair. Her cherry-colored lipstick emphasized her full lips.
The strange thing was, Ryan felt no urge to kiss her. It must be because they were in a bar. He’d never been into public displays of affection.
“How’s the baby business?” he asked when she continued to sit there sipping her martini. If it had been Betsy, she’d have been talking a mile a minute by now. Ryan had to admit that it had taken him a while to get used to the nonstop chatter, but now it felt odd to be sitting in silence.
“It’s been surprisingly busy lately.” Adrianna turned in her chair to face him. “More women are choosing to have their babies at home. It’s a great way for other family members to be a part of the birth. After all, it’s a completely natural experience.”
Ryan’s smile froze on his face. Was she saying that the kids were there for the birth? He couldn’t imagine if his mother had wanted him in the room when his little sister was born. He might have had to run away from home. “How nice.”
She returned her attention to her martini.
He shifted his gaze to Betsy, who now stood next to the prominent surgeon. Like Adrianna, Betsy wore jeans and a sweater. Unlike her friend, Betsy had a girl-next-door prettiness that made the whole room light up. She was laughing and talking with the doctor as if they were old friends.
“She’s really coming out of her shell.” Adrianna leaned closer.
Her perfume seemed almost cloying tonight. He sat back. And he didn’t appreciate her comment.
“I didn’t know Betsy was ever in a shell,” he said, rising to her defense. He would have said more but a hand slapped him on the back.
“Why did I know I’d find you here?”
Ryan recognized the voice immediately. He turned in his seat, rising as he did. “I thought you weren’t getting into town until next week.”
Tripp Randall laughed. “Can’t a guy be spontaneous?”
His friend’s blond hair was covered by a ball cap. A hint of a scruff dotted his chin. He cast a curious glance in Adrianna’s direction. “Aren’t you going to say hello?”
Adrianna rose in one smooth movement, stepped forward and gave their new guest a big hug. “Welcome back to Jackson.”
Tripp looped an arm around her neck in a friendly gesture. “Now, that’s more like it.”
Ryan shot him a pointed glance. “If you’re expecting a hug from me, you can forget it.”
“Mind if I sit?” Before Ryan could answer, Tripp pulled out Betsy’s chair and plopped down.
“That spot is taken, but I guess you can sit there for now.” Ryan slanted a sideways glance at Adrianna. “Unless you prefer it be just you and me?”
Her eyes widened and she looked shocked.
“Just kidding,” Ryan told her.
Tripp stared at him and Adrianna. “Are you two a couple?”
“Us? No,” Adrianna said, a little too quickly for Ryan’s liking, despite the fact that issuing a quick disclaimer had been the first thing that had come to his lips, too.
“Actually, I’m here with Betsy.” Ryan pointed to where she stood with her hand on the doctor’s arm. “She’s the one in the blue sweater. And I’m also with Adrianna.”
“Two women. You’re moving up in the world, boy,” Tripp said with an easy smile. “I don’t believe I know Betsy.”
“Keenan McGregor’s sister,” Ryan said. “I recently hired her as my legal assistant.”
“Betsy’s a sweetheart,” Adrianna said loyally.
For some reason, Ryan didn’t want to talk about Betsy with Tripp. He knew his reluctance made no sense. After all, he’d promised Betsy he’d try to get the two of them together. Of course, he reasoned, first he had to make sure his friend was worthy of her. That might take some time.
“How long are you in town?” Ryan asked.
“Depends. Through the holidays, for sure.” Tripp’s expression turned serious. “Hopefully longer if the job I want comes through. My dad isn’t doing well. Because I’m here, I’d like to spend as much time with him and my mom as possible.”
“I