LITMIR.BIZ

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my uncle Lou’s sister Margie—my mom—and two years later they got married. John is two years older than me.”

      “So I guess your two families get along really well.”

      “Best friends all around.” He smiled. “I’ve never heard one cross word between them.”

      “Now you’re the lucky one.”

      “Oh? Your family doesn’t get along?”

      Claudia shrugged. She didn’t want to get into her family’s dynamics. Couldn’t if she hoped to keep the Hathaway Baking connection a secret. “It’s just normal stuff. Dad drinks too much. Mom is controlling. That kind of thing.”

      Philip obviously sensed her reluctance to say more for soon after he changed the subject. They were deep into the respective talents of Sheryl Crow versus Shania Twain when Philip pulled up in front of a small bungalow in an area he identified as the outskirts of River Oaks. “I don’t know if you know anything about River Oaks?”

      “Just that it’s a really high-rent district.”

      “Yeah, it is. Jen doesn’t own this place, though. She and a girlfriend—a co-worker, actually—rent the house.”

      There were already a dozen or more cars parked along the street. Philip pulled into the driveway, saying, “Family has its privileges.”

      “Will your parents be here tonight?”

      “No. We’re doing the family thing tomorrow at Jen’s parents’ house. Tomorrow is actually her birthday.”

      “So both families live here in Houston?”

      “Yep. Native Houstonians all.”

      As they walked up onto the small front stoop, Claudia could hear laughter and music inside. Philip rang the doorbell, then without waiting for someone to answer, opened the door and gestured her inside.

      A pretty dark-haired young woman in a red sundress that showed off a golden tan walked toward them. She smiled at Philip. “Hey, cuz, you made it.”

      “Happy birthday, Jen.” Philip leaned down and kissed her cheek.

      “Thanks.” Her dark-eyed gaze moved curiously to Claudia. “Hi. I’m Jennifer, Philip’s cousin.” She extended her hand.

      “Hi, Jennifer. I’m Claudia. Claudia Hathaway.” They shook hands.

      “I’m glad you could come.” Jennifer’s smile was warm and friendly.

      Claudia knew instantly she would like this woman. Suddenly she was very glad she’d accepted Philip’s invitation. “Me, too.”

      Claudia and Philip followed Jennifer into the living room were several groups of young people stood talking. In rapid succession Jennifer introduced them in a blur of names Claudia knew she wouldn’t remember. Most seemed to be Jennifer’s co-workers at the TV station.

      “Where’s John?” Philip asked Jennifer when she’d finished with the introductions.

      “Out back, I think.”

      “Come on, Claudia. Let’s go out. I want you to meet John.”

      Giving Jennifer a smile, Claudia let herself be led through the house and out the back door where several young men stood drinking beer.

      “There you are!” Philip said.

      The men turned around.

      Claudia stared in disbelief.

      For walking toward them with a huge smile on his face was none other than Jason Webb.

      Chapter Two

      John couldn’t believe his eyes. Philip’s date was the blonde! The one John had met in Austin.

      She’d recognized him, too. He could see the surprise in her eyes.

      “John,” Philip was saying. “Hey, man, it’s good to see you.” John returned Philip’s hug, but all the while, his mind was spinning.

      Releasing John, Philip proudly drew the blonde forward. “John, this is Claudia Hathaway, the new prof I was telling you about. Claudia, my cousin, John Renzo.”

      She tilted her head, studying John. “Actually, I believe we’ve met.”

      “You’ve met?” Philip looked from one to the other.

      “Yeah,” John said, nodding agreement. “You’re right. We have met.”

      Now Philip was frowning. “But you never said anything.”

      John shrugged. “I didn’t know her name.” He couldn’t stop staring at her. God, she was even more gorgeous than he’d remembered. Tonight, in that black clingy outfit, she looked fantastic. Although she was lean, her body was sexy, with curves in the right places. And she was the wonderful Claudia that Philip had been talking about for weeks? How was that possible?

      Philip gave Claudia a puzzled smile. “How did you two meet?”

      “We kind of bumped into each other. At a restaurant in Austin one weekend when I went in to meet Sally. I told you about Sally—my college roommate?”

      “I nearly knocked Claudia over,” John said. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

      Philip smiled. “Typical.” Turning to Claudia, he added, “John’s always been accident-prone. As a kid, he kept falling out of trees or running into walls.”

      John grinned. “Hey, I was adventurous. I liked to take chances.” He still couldn’t get over the fact that the girl he’d thought about so many times over the past month was actually standing there. In the flesh. In the gorgeous flesh.

      “That’s true,” Philip conceded, “I’m a much more careful sort. I prefer not to take unnecessary risks.”

      “Which is why you have the kind of job you do, and I have the kind of job I do,” John said.

      “I’m afraid I’m more like John,” Claudia said. “When I was little, I always had a black-and-blue mark or a scab somewhere.”

      “Then I balance you out perfectly,” Philip said happily, putting a possessive arm around Claudia.

      John knew the hot stab of jealousy he felt was beneath him. He should be glad for Philip. Claudia was the kind of girl any man would love to claim, and if she liked Philip, then good for him. But even as he told himself this, he wished he could trade places with his cousin. He wished it more than he’d wished anything in a long time.

      “Hey, you two, quit monopolizing Claudia.”

      All three turned at the sound of Jennifer’s voice. “Claudia,” she said, “come with me. Some other guests have arrived that I’d like you to meet. Anyway, once these two get together, they forget anyone else is around. Let’s let them talk for a while.”

      “All right.” With a little wave goodbye, Claudia followed Jennifer into the house.

      Once they were gone, Philip said, “What’s the real story here?”

      “What do you mean, real story?”

      “You know. The real story about what happened between you and Claudia.”

      “Nothing happened.”

      “Yet you remembered her, and she remembered you.”

      “Wouldn’t you remember her if you’d met her casually? Hell, she’s gorgeous. Besides, one of the guys I was with mentioned how she kind of resembles Meg Ryan. That really planted her in my mind.”

      “I’m surprised you didn’t ask her out.”

      “Maybe I did.” Seeing the look on Philip’s face, John laughed. “Don’t worry. She said no.”

      Philip

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