Page 49 of To Steal a Heart

“That’s a good point.” Not only was Charlie the scholar in the family, but also the humanitarian. It made sense that she would gravitate in that direction. She was studying anthropology, after all. Arden’s goal was to conquer the world. Charlie’s was to save the world. Mom’s ambition was to offer a sense of class and refinement to the uncouth of the world. Sadly, Mom’s misguided sense of responsibility extended to her pet projects—Sylvia and Wesley Laramie. As far as Arden was concerned, Mom was facing an uphill battle with those two. Money didn’t always equate to good breeding.

“Have you been up to see Naomi yet?”

Arden couldn’t help but grin at how Charlie’s dark eyes shimmered with excitement. Arden dearly loved her niece and was looking forward to spending time with her, but Charlie took her responsibility as an aunt to the next level. She absolutely adored Naomi. Charlie was always posting pictures of her niece on social media, and she went home as often as her classes would allow to see Naomi.

“I haven’t.”

Charlie linked her arm through Arden’s. “You should go up before Effie puts Naomi to bed.”

“Gladly.” Arden didn’t want to spend another minute at this lame party.

“Looks like you’ve got some competition,” Charlie observed with a sly grin.

Arden glanced at Crew and Forge. “I’m not surprised. Those two are scarily alike.”

“I like him,” Charlie said decisively. She giggled. “Although Forge is right. Crew is pretty.”

Arden groaned. “I know. Dang it. He is pretty. I wasn’t supposed to fall for a pretty boy.”

“It happens to the best of us,” Charlie sighed with a dreamy expression.

Arden whipped her head around. “Are you involved with someone?”

Charlie’s cheeks turned pink. “Who has time to date? It’s Harvard, remember?”

She studied her little sister. Charlie was definitely hung up on someone. “Fine, keep your secret,” she pouted, still smarting from Crew’s evasiveness. “I don’t wanna know anyway.”

“Oh, stop being petty,” Charlie shushed like she was the older sister instead of vice versa. “You don’t have to be in the know about every little thing.”

“Oh, yes I do,” Arden asserted.

Charlie just grinned. A second later, she tugged on Arden’s arm with an impatient, “Let’s go.”

“Okay.” Arden looked at Crew. “I’m going up to see my niece. You wanna come?”

“Sure,” he answered.

“Nah, man,” Forge protested. “Hang out here for a while. This conversation was just getting interesting.” He pointed to the tables. “Let’s go grab us a seat.”

“See,” Charlie taunted in Arden’s ear, “competition.”

Crew gave Arden a sheepish grin. “Do you mind?”

“Not in the least,” she chimed. She’d known that Forge and Crew would get along wonderfully and was glad that they were getting a chance to talk. Crew was a marvel. She grinned inwardly, thinking about how he’d torn up the dance floor. His steps were so flawless and fluid that he put even Wesley Laramie to shame. And the thing with Grandmother. Just thinking about that Costco wisecrack made Arden smile. Crew might just have enough torque and finesse to win Grandmother over. He was one in a million, that was for sure. Her thoughts went back to the waiter. She’d most likely seen some guy who looked like the thief. However, it would niggle at her until she at least checked the kitchen to see if she could find him. “Hey,” she said casually to Charlie. “Let’s swing by the kitchen on our way up. I’m hungry but don’t want to fill up on all of these high-calorie appetizers. Surely they must have some fruit.”

“I’m sure they do. You look fantastic, by the way. Whatever you’re doing is working.”

“Thanks,” Arden chimed. “You look great too. As always.” Charlie had been blessed with Dad and Grandmother’s genes. Tall and lean, Charlie could eat whatever she wanted and never gain an ounce. Arden, on the other hand, took after Mom’s side of the family. Mom was petite and curvy. Although thanks to a rigorous yoga and cardio routine, she was as trim and fit as any thirty-year-old. If only Arden could be as disciplined as Mom, then she might get sleeky thin. Nah, it wasn’t worth it. She’d just be happy with the size she was now.

They picked their way through the guests. All the while, Arden kept her head on a swivel, looking for the waiter. He was nowhere to be found. They went into the mansion and made their way to the large kitchen. It was buzzing with an army of waiters, along with a staff of caterers who were preparing food as fast as they could. Arden surveyed the faces, not seeing anyone who remotely resembled the waiter. Where had the guy gone? Had her eyes played a trick on her? A middle-aged woman with short silver hair stood at the island. From the way she was barking orders, Arden assumed she was the one in charge. “Do you mind if I grab some fruit?”

“Take all you want,” the woman answered brusquely as she turned her attention back to the bread she was slicing.

Arden went over and grabbed an apple from the wire basket on the counter. “Do you want one?” she asked Charlie, who was standing against the wall.

“No, thanks.”

Arden turned to the silver-haired woman. “Do you, by chance, have a waiter who’s part American and part Hawaiian?”