Get Bunny Love (26 page)

“What was it she wanted, Thurston?” Lovey asked.

“Positive chi,” Thurston snarled. He gave Martha a disgusted scowl. “Ruined my tennis game. That’s the kind of nut job you’ve got running the show.”

Martha pasted on a phony smile, frenzied thoughts whirling through her mind. “I’m sure you’re mistaken.” Was Bunny more than a personal distraction for Nate? Was she a professional one as well? “Excuse me.” She stepped away before the Monroes had a chance to spot the angry flush spreading up her neck.

Martha scanned the room, taking in the ridiculous decorations and the huge martini glasses positioned for the dogs. Apparently she could have saved herself several conversations with Armand. It appeared Bunny had been quite capable of ruining the event with no additional outside help.

She searched the room one more time. Where in the hell was Nate?

o0o

Jimmy Monroe and Bertha stood at the bar, surrounded by a group of friends. Bunny kept a tight grip on Tilly’s arm.

“I want you to meet someone. I think you’ll like him.”

“Bunny.” A bright smile lit Jimmy’s face as they neared.

A stunning German Shepherd sat by his side. The dog gave Bunny and Tilly a thoughtful gaze from beneath the bill of a leather cap. A red bandana knotted around the dog’s throat accentuated his stunning tan and black markings.

“Who’s this?” Bunny bent at the waist, offering the dog her hand. The canine sniffed then slapped a large paw into her palm.

“This is Harley.” Jimmy’s chest puffed out. “My pride and joy.”

“He’s a beauty.” Tilly patted the dog’s head.

“He’s a bitch.”

Tilly’s face crinkled with delight. “Well,
she
has the aura of a winner.”

“Gonna be a good show.” Jimmy winked. “It’s in her cards.”

“You read?” Tilly’s voice squeaked with excitement.

“Twenty years.”

Tilly grabbed Jimmy’s hand. “A kindred spirit.”

Bunny gave herself a mental pat on the back. Something had told her these two would hit it off. She sized up the rest of Jimmy’s gang. They ran the gamut from short and gray to tall, dark and handsome. “Friends of yours?”

Jimmy rubbed his chin. “Mainly family. Rode in to catch Harley’s show.” He patted the dog’s head. “Always nice to have the support of loved ones.”

Yes it was. Bunny scanned the crowd for any sign of Nate, wishing fervently he’d arrive before Thurston and Martha had too much time to talk.

“I’m a big believer in positive chi,” Jimmy continued.

Bunny refocused on Jimmy, clasping a hand to her chest. “Me, too.”

He winked. “Knew there was a reason I liked you, even if your dog took a piss on my bike.”

“Near your bike,” Bunny corrected. “And I am sorry. Not that excuses make piddle acceptable.”

Jimmy’s rich laugh filled the air. “Acceptable piddle. I’ll have to remember that.” He leaned against the bar. “I just ordered up a pot of chamomile. Why don’t you ladies join us?”

“We’d love to,” Tilly cooed.

“Well.” Bunny turned, letting her gaze take in the roomful of dogs and people. “I’d better mingle. Don’t want to get caught taking a tea break in the middle of my first event.”

An ornery light flickered in Jimmy’s eyes. He nodded toward one corner of the room. “Seems one of your guests is relieving himself in your plant corner.”

Bunny’s heart gave a jolt. She pivoted quickly, following the direction of Jimmy’s nod.

“Well, at least it’s a four-footed guest,” Tilly snorted.

“Great,” Bunny grumbled. “Maybe I should have given the watering stations a bit more thought.”

The shrillest whistle she’d ever heard pierced the air. The dog stopped mid-spritz, scampering back toward his owner.

Jimmy’s rich laugh sounded again, smoothing the rough edges of Bunny’s nerves. “When in doubt, little lady, whistle.”

Bunny shot him a narrowed look. “Whistle?”

He nodded. “Sure. These here are trained champs. They know a whistle when they hear it. The louder, the better. Stops ‘em in their tracks every time.”

“A whistle,” she muttered to herself as she walked away. She’d have to remember that one. But first, she needed to find a mop, and, judging by the size of the offender, a big one.

o0o

Nate spotted Bunny the instant he entered the party. He smiled as she crossed the crowded space, gracefully winding her way through the room. Her requisite black cocktail dress hugged her figure, skimming her knees with a ruffled edge. His stomach tightened. There sure as hell was something enticing about the way the woman wore a set of ruffles.

Aunt Martha stepped into his path, eyes blazing.

“Aunt Marth-”

She jabbed a finger into his chest. “She has absolutely no credentials, does she?”

He stiffened. “Who?”

Her artificial blue gaze narrowed. “You know who.”

“No.” He gave her a nonchalant chuckle. “I don’t.”

“Miss Bunny Love.” She planted her fists on her hips. “Or did you think I wouldn’t find out she’s not an event planner?”

“I hired Bunny because she was well qualified to learn.” He swept his arm to one side. “Look at this party. Cocktails for dogs.” He grinned. “Genius.”

Martha pursed her lips. “A cocktail party for dogs is asinine. And McNulty Events is
my
business. Not yours.”

“No.” Nate blew out a breath. “McNulty Events was never your business. It was my Uncle Arthur’s business and my father’s business before that.” An invisible weight lifted from Nate’s shoulders. He’d never realized the enormity of the chip he’d carried all these years. “They would have loved this. It’s inventive.” He arched a brow. “Unique.”

“It’s bourgeois,” Martha hissed. Her acrylic nail drove into his chest. “And don’t you forget who controls the firm. Don’t make me-”

“Don’t you get tired of the threats, Aunt Martha?”

Her surprised eyes popped wide.

“If this business makes you so unhappy, why don’t you give it up?” He leaned near. “Turn the control over to me. Let me live. Let the firm live.”

Loud voices rang out from the other side of the party. Nate squinted to see what was going on. Bunny stood in the midst of a heated discussion between a man and a woman. A long-nosed dog cowered behind Bunny’s back. This couldn’t be good.

“If you ever speak to me like that-”

“I’ll talk to you later, Aunt Martha. Have a drink. That always soothes your nerves.”

He stepped away before she could utter another syllable.

o0o

Martha stood flabbergasted, watching Nate walk away.
Let me live. Let the firm live
.

That would be the easy way out, wouldn’t it? She could walk away from the responsibilities that had weighed so heavy for so long. She’d done nothing but worry about the boys since their parents died. During the past year, she’d done nothing but wonder if stress would take the same toll on Nate as it had on her dear Arthur. Maybe she’d wash her hands of the entire situation. Move to Florida. Hell, maybe she’d seriously take up her pen and inks again.

She eyed Nate’s face as he watched Bunny with rapt attention. He was the image of his father at the same age. Ready to rebel. Ready to self-destruct.

No. She couldn’t walk away now. She’d shoved her dreams down for years and could do so a while longer. The day Nate and Jeremy’s parents had died, she’d vowed never to let the boys make the same mistakes. She’d be damned if she’d start now.

o0o

Bunny had grown tired of waiting for a break in the verbal sparring. “What about the breathing?” she interjected. “Have you been practicing your breathing?”

Mitsi and Timothy Goodloe turned on her as if they were rabid. The noise of their argument had stopped every conversation in the room. Bunny had scrambled to diffuse the situation as soon as she’d spotted their negative body language. Somehow she was sure quarreling guests were not listed in Nate’s decorum handbook.

“Breathing?” Mitsi spoke so forcefully she spit.

“We’ve moved way beyond breathing,” Timothy bit out.

Okay
. So much for upper-class refinement. Poindexter pressed against the back of Bunny’s knees, hiding as much of his lanky body as possible.

“Do you see the effect your negative energy is having on Poindexter? How do you think this will affect his performance this weekend?” She planted one hand on the dog’s head, the other on her hip. “Hmm?”

The Goodloes fell silent, considering her words with tense expressions.

“You need to remember why you’re here, and you need to stop worrying about who slept with whom, or who didn’t sleep with whom, or who’s going to sleep with whom. Focus on Poindexter.”

Timothy’s mouth gaped open. Mitsi frowned. “Miss Love is right,” Mitsi said, her voice soft for a change. “This is Poindexter’s weekend and all we’ve done is argue.”

“Loudly,” Bunny added. “So loudly I heard you from the other side of the room.”

Timothy winced. “Do you think anyone else heard?”

“Yes.” Bunny smiled inwardly. It was amazing how much blue bloods worried about appearance. “I suggest you take a few cleansing breaths, drink some wine, apologize to Poindexter and enjoy the rest of your evening.”

The Goodloes fell silent.

Bunny scrutinized their expressions. “Questions?”

They shook their heads.

“All right. Let’s breathe, shall we?”

“Mind if I join you folks?” Jimmy’s gravely voice rang out from behind Bunny.

Mitzi looked at her feet while Timothy shook his head.

“Of course not,” Bunny chirped. “We were just discussing the power of yin breathing.”

“So I heard.” Jimmy stepped close to the Goodloes, so close Mitsi stepped backward, obviously startled by his sudden, gruff appearance. “Have you considered yang breathing?”

Was he questioning her abilities? Bunny’s pulse quickened. “I’m trying to calm them, not energize them.”

Jimmy ran a hand over his beard. “You know you can’t go wrong with your yang breathing in domestic situations. Soothes the soul and sparks passion.”

Mitsi stiffened. “I’d hardly call this a domestic sit-”

“Now I’m not trying to be a buttinski,” Jimmy interrupted. “I only want to determine whether you’re utilizing the best tools available.” He held his hands in the air like a symphony conductor. “Let’s try something, shall we?”

The Goodloes stood slack-jawed, obviously not experienced in handling meddling biker breathing experts. Bunny held her tongue, deciding to let Jimmy get his words of wisdom out of his system.

“Let’s stick with the slow inhale,” Jimmy instructed. “But let’s try four short puffs through the mouth for the exhale.”

Try as she might, Bunny couldn’t stay quiet. “I don’t think that’s what Mr. and Mrs. Goodloe need.”

Jimmy held up one hand to cut her off. She narrowed her gaze, biting back what she really thought. Talk about cramping someone’s energy field. Where were Chablis and Chardonnay when she needed a good distraction?

“And in.”

Mitsi and Timothy cut their eyes to Bunny. She shrugged and nodded. They inhaled slowly, as she had taught them.

“And out.” Excitement tinged Jimmy’s words. At least the man interfered passionately. “Puff. Puff. Puff. Puff.”

He led them through the exercise three times.

Bunny pressed a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing. She dropped it in astonishment when wide smiles spread across both Mitsi and Timothy’s faces.

“Well?” Jimmy urged.

“Amazing,” Mitsi cooed. “Better than a seaweed wrap.”

Timothy nodded. “I hate to say it, Miss Love, but this method eased every muscle instantly.” He beamed. “Yet I’m totally energized.”

Bunny plastered on a fake smile. “Great,” she chirped. “I’ll leave you both in Jimmy’s capable hands, then. Remember. The watchword is decorum.”

She knew where she wasn’t wanted. Hmph. Yang breathing to end an argument. Of all the ridiculous ideas she’d ever heard, this was the worst.
Amateur
.

She pivoted on one high heel, slamming right into the broad expanse of Nate’s chest.

“The watchword is decorum?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Nate wrapped one arm around her waist to steady her, grinning. “The watchword is decorum?” he repeated, his tone teasing and light.

“When in Rome.” The heat of a blush fired in her cheeks.

“Nice party, by the way.”

Bunny longed to plant a kiss on his lips, but pushed away, putting some distance between their bodies. “Where’ve you been?”

“Got held up at the office.” He tipped his head toward the entrance. “Then Aunt Martha blindsided me.”

Bunny grimaced. “I saw her talking to the Monroes. What do you think Thurston said?”

“That you have no experience.” He gave a slight shrug. “Although, I don’t think he mentioned catching me in your building this morning.”

Bunny’s heart slapped against her ribcage. “He saw you?”

Nate nodded.

“Cripes.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

“What about Martha? What did she say?” Fear gripped Bunny’s heart. If she lost her job now, her mortgage application would fall through with the speed of light.

“She’ll get over it.” Nate glanced around the crowded room. “I was wondering what you had on under that ruffle.”

His words kick started her libido.
Zing
. She planted her hands on her hips and grinned. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

One of the caterer’s assistants approached them, her features twisted into a worried mess. “Miss Love?”

“Yes.” Bunny squinted, not wanting to hear whatever it was that had caused the girl’s facial expression.

“There’s been an incident involving a Great Dane and a tray of bacon-wrapped scallops.”

Bunny and her libido stifled a sigh. “Duty calls.”

Nate was still shaking his head as she walked away.

o0o

Nate and Bunny’s body language ratcheted Martha’s fears to the next level. Too close and too familiar. Frustration simmered in her veins.

“That’s another thing I forgot to ask you.” Thurston Monroe appeared at her side, a partially empty martini glass in his hand. He followed her gaze. Bunny stepped out of view as Nate stood staring at her departing backside.