Page 68 of To Steal a Heart
“Thanks. What perfume are you wearing?”
“It’s something new—Moonflower.”
“I like it. Did your gown and mask come in?” When Arden left the house this morning for the hotel, Mom’s items still hadn’t arrived. Arden could tell that Mom was worried.
“Your dad sent me a text during your reading, letting me know that the gown and mask were delivered.”
“Thank goodness,” Arden exclaimed.
“I know.”
Talon made a fist and soft-punched Arden’s arm. “Well, Miss Reformed Treasure Hunter, your reading wasn’t half bad.”
“Hey,” she protested, shoving his arm. “I thought you said you couldn’t be prouder.”
“I can’t. But don’t let it go to your head,” he winked.
She laughed. “How could I ever get a big head when I have a brother like you who keeps my feet firmly planted on the ground?”
He tsked his tongue. “It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.”
Arden just shook her head and laughed. A second later, she winced inwardly when she caught sight of Wesley Laramie striding up with a mile-wide smile. “Hello, beautiful,” he said loudly as he stepped up to Arden and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry I’m late. I got held up on a call. You know how long-winded those Hollywood hotshots can be.”
Wesley claimed to be a movie producer, although Arden seriously doubted that Wesley had ever produced anything in his life.
Talon’s jaw hardened as he glared at Wesley. There was plenty of bad blood between the two of them. Understandably so. Talon’s first wife, Lina, had an affair with Wesley, who promised Lina stardom. Wesley liked to pretend that the unpleasantness of his affair was long forgotten; however, Talon would never forget. Arden didn’t blame her older brother one bit for holding a grudge.
Wesley was a womanizing pompous windbag who royally got on her nerves, especially when he hit on her. The only reason why Mom and Dad gave him or Sylvia the time of day was out of respect for their longstanding friendship with Carter and Lizette.
“What time should I pick you up tonight?” Wesley asked Arden.
Olivia threw Arden a questioning look. No doubt she thought that Arden had flipped her gourd. Arden had told Olivia mostly everything that had happened with Garrett. She left out the part about him breaking into her bedroom and adding the diamond charm to the bracelet. Nor had she told Olivia about Grandmother’s plan to smoke out the rat.
Mom’s eyes turned to saucers as she homed in on Arden. “Are you and Wesley going to the gala together?”
“We certainly are,” Wesley answered in a pleased as punch tone.
Heat crawled up Arden’s neck. “We both like to dance, so it seemed like a good fit.”
Talon’s face turned a shade darker as he turned to Arden. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
She shrugged, keeping her voice light. “It’s a friendship thing, right Wesley?”
His handsome face fell. “Yeah.”
Arden had to fight the urge to burst out laughing. Did Wesley actually think there could ever be something between them? Surely not.
“Grandmother set the whole thing up,” Arden pointed out.
All eyes whipped around to Josette.
“Why would you set Arden and Wesley up?” Madeline questioned, a furrow of disapproval forming between her brows.
In that moment, Arden learned a great deal about Mom. She didn’t care for Wesley either. She was simply trying to look after him since Carter was dead, and Lizette was in a mental hospital.
An undercurrent of red seeped into Wesley’s face. Even he could tell that Madeline didn’t think he was good enough for her daughter.
Grandmother smirked. “It’s just a gala. Like Arden said, she and Wesley both like to dance. There’s no harm in them going together.”