“That’s good, I guess. Though I haven’t seen him anywhere.”
“Maybe he’s in the den reading a book or watching TV.”
Her mother slanted her a look. “And miss a party? Davis never misses a good party. Besides, I already checked the den, and the pool house. He’s not there. I didn’t check the wine cellar, though.”
“I was down there earlier. He’s not there.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll take another look around, Mom. And stop worrying. I’m sure everything’s okay.”
Her mom patted her arm. “You’re probably right. Thanks for checking out the guesthouse, Bree.”
“Not a problem.”
“I’m going to stop worrying about Davis. Let’s go have some fun.” Instead of rejoining her friends, her mother led them over to the padded window seat, where it was just the two of them. She motioned to a crowd of guys, one of which was Tucker. “Why don’t you go chat up some of the very available single men here?”
Aubry laughed. “Mom. Seriously. You know I’m not dating anyone. Or looking to date anyone.”
Her mother graced her with a benevolent smile. “I know. That’s why I want you to go talk to some of the single men here.”
She linked her arm with her mother’s. “How about I hang out with you instead?”
Her mother sighed. “At this rate, I’ll never have grandchildren.”
Aubry laughed. “I’m only twenty-eight, Mom, and still in my residency. That’s a lot of stress. I don’t have time for men.”
“Oh, honey. There’s always time for men. Besides, great sex is good for stress.”
“Not having the sex conversation with you again, Mom.” She loved her mother, but sometimes the things that fell out of her mouth were appalling. And so embarrassing.
Maybe some daughters didn’t mind being frank with their mothers about relationships and sex. Aubry was not that daughter. She preferred to keep their discussions light and easy and about topics like television and fashion.
Not sex.
“I don’t know why not,” her mother said. “You’re a doctor for heaven’s sake, Aubry. You’ve talked about the most disgusting medical anomalies during dinner. Yet we can’t be open about your sex life?”
“There’s a big difference between my talking about what I do at work and what I do . . .”
Her mother graced her with a knowing smile. “At play?”
She rolled her eyes. “Something like that. Which I don’t, by the way.”
“Don’t what?”
“Play.”
“And that’s your problem. You’re not having enough sex, which is why you’re so tense all the time.”
Since when did her mother think she was tense? Which she wasn’t at all. “I’m not tense. I’m busy.”
Her mother arched a brow. “There’s a difference?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think so. Anyway, look at those men over there. I know Gavin Riley is married, and so is Dedrick Coleman. Garrett Scott is engaged. I think Jack Sanchez is single, though he has a very cute date with him tonight. But how about that hot one with the glasses? He is so attractive. Tucker Cassidy, isn’t it?”
Of all the men her mother pointed out, it had to be Tucker Cassidy. “Yes, he’s very nice looking.”
“I know he’s single. He’s only been with the Rivers for about a year, but oh, Aubry, he’s looking your way. And smiling. You should go over and talk to him.”
It was like the sixth grade dance all over again, when her mother chaperoned. Aubry wasn’t the least bit interested in the boys back then. Not because she didn’t like boys. She did. But she was way more interested in her math teacher, Mr. Griffin, who of course had been way too old for her—and married.
But she’d been twelve and more interested in math—and Mr. Griffin—than twelve-year-old boys who smelled bad and thought making fart jokes was hilarious.
Her mother hadn’t understood then any more than she’d understand now. She should tell her mom now about her infatuation with Mr. Griffin. Wouldn’t she be horrified? The thought of it amused her. Then again, probably not a good idea. Right now she had to dissuade her mother from trying to fix her up with any baseball players. And especially with Tucker Cassidy.
“No, Mom.”
“Would you like me to introduce you to Tucker Cassidy?”
“Uh, no. We’ve already met.”
Her mother shifted sideways. “Really. When and how?”
Now, that she wouldn’t explain. “I ran into him earlier tonight.”
“Is he nice?”
“Yes. He’s very nice.”
“Good.” Her mother stood, grabbed her hand and lifted Aubry out of the seat. “Let’s go talk to him.”
Aubry tugged at her hand. “Let’s not.”
But it was too late, and the one thing she’d known all her life was that Helen Ross had a very strong grip.
God, this night couldn’t get any more complicated.
TUCKER HAD SEEN AUBRY TALKING TO HER MOTHER. He saw her mother stand and take Aubry by the hand, and then the horrified look on Aubry’s face as they made their way over to him.
“Tucker Cassidy,” Mrs. Ross said.
“Mrs. Ross. How are you doing this evening?”
“I’m doing fine. My daughter here tells me the two of you met earlier.”