Page 29 of You Found Me
Greg scanned the remaining line, and the corners of his mouth flexed in a grimace.
“Okay so I don’t know all their names,” she admitted. “But a lot of them have been on set when we’ve visited Piper or Marshall. I think.”
She actually wasn’t sure about that. Many of them seemed familiar, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she’d seen them in a movie, if she’d actually met them, or if they just looked like someone she knew.
She knew a lot of people. Her warden hadn’t been wrong about that. Not many of them were what she’d call intimate friends, though.
She put a comforting hand on Greg’s arm. “Stop worrying. Marshall knows what’s going on, and he wouldn’t bring anybody he thought was an issue.”
“Uh-huh.” Greg cast a doubtful gaze at the line of cars.
A group of three men caught her attention as they wound their way around the cars now blocking the drive. They were already dressed for the pool in swim trunks and T-shirts.
All three could have been cover models, but one dark-haired fantasy stood several inches above the others. He had a body that shouted “Touch me” and an infectious laugh that called to her from across the drive.
Della eyed him with interest. “There’s someone I’d like to know better.”
Greg pointedly didn’t comment.
“Hi,” she said as soon as tall, dark, and insanely seductive was close enough. “Have we met?”
“We have now.” His smile was an open invitation that she wanted to accept. “Scott Baldwin.”
She gripped his hand, appreciating that he didn’t give the dead fish shake so many men used when greeting a woman. “Della Bellamy.”
“I’ve seen you on set with Blake and Marshall.” He put his other hand over hers. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet.”
Della’s smile widened so far it started to hurt. “Pleasure’s all mine. Go on in, make yourself at home.” She liked the way his gaze lingered on her mouth before he went inside with his friends. “Oh yeah, I definitely want to know him better.”
“Is he one ofthoseBaldwins?” Greg asked.
“Does it matter?”
He huffed out a snort.
Saying hello to a sea of friendly faces filled all the empty spaces inside her that three weeks alone had caused. That made everyone here instant friends as far as she was concerned.
Music started up behind her with a dance beat she couldn’t ignore. “I’m going to head on back and get the party started. You stay and make sure the rest look like they belong here, okay?At least with everybody nearly naked, you know they’re not carrying weapons, right?”
Greg grunted his acknowledgment, but he had frown lines around his eyes. “Ward’s not going to like this.”
“That’s why we’re not going to tell him about it.” Della gave him one more reassuring pat on the arm. “It’ll be fine.”
She hurried through the house to the backyard, where her prison had been transformed into a paradise filled with partygoers having a good time.
The mouth-watering scent of roasted pork wafted out of the kitchen, and The Bellamy Sisters’ latest hit came on loud enough to shake the neighborhood.
It seemed like whoever had taken control of the playlist wasn’t above flattery, and she was not above liking it. She laughed and waved at the crowd.
“Let’s get this party started!” Her shout was filled with all the exuberance she’d kept locked up since their last concert.
The crowd answered her with shouts and cheers and splashes from the pool.
She soaked it all in. There was life all around her again. Finally. It was heaven. Heaven filled with music and laughter and sun and people. Lots and lots of people.
Someone nearby called her name. A muscled man in long dark red trunks and mesh shirt. He held up a beer in tribute. “Thanks for the invite!”
Several others joined in the chorus of thanks.