Get Bunny Love Read Online Free Page B

meek, “but we hadn’t set definite plans, Martha.”
    “Then it’s time you do.” Aunt Martha turned to Nate.
    “Well, yes, but there’s no need to rush-”
    “You’ve been seeing each other for years,” his aunt interrupted. “There are appearances to be considered.”
    Melanie leaned toward Nate, her slender fingers pressing lightly against his hand. “She’s right. What will people think if we don’t announce our intentions soon?”
    His mind raced. There had been others before Melanie, but their involvement had lasted the longest. Probably because they had known each other since prep school and because what they shared was...comfortable. Straightforward. Refined.
    He looked from Aunt Martha’s expectant face to Melanie’s. They were both right, of course. Polite society expected a decision, and McNultys respected the dictates of polite society.
    He nodded. “Fair enough.”
    “It’s settled then.” Aunt Martha raised her glass. “To Nathan, Melanie, and a lifetime of joy and happiness.”
    Nate plastered on a smile as the three clinked glasses. Was it his imagination, or had Melanie gone pale? He truly cared for her, but did he love her? Would he know true love if it hit him over the head? Perhaps this thing called love was nothing more than a myth propagated by legions of romance novelists.
    “Nathan McNulty.”
    His aunt’s sharp tone cut through his rambling thoughts. “Yes?”
    “I’m speaking to you.”
    “Yes, I’m well aware of that.” Quite frankly, he hadn’t heard a thing.
    “You haven’t answered my question.”
    He narrowed his eyes. “About the engagement?”
    “No.” Aunt Martha let out a small sigh. “About your staffing. Are you prepared to handle an event like the Cup? You know, if you’d give up the firm and accept the position at Brittingham Insurance with Melanie’s father, you’d never have to worry about staffing again.”
    Nate bristled. “You want me to sell insurance?”
    Her expression grew serious. “Insurance is safe.”
    Nate had been hearing the safe lecture as long as he could remember. “You can’t blame a motorcycle accident on the family business.”
    “Your father and mother were rebelling against stress.”
    Nate paused, not wanting to revisit the tired topic. Someday he’d prove his aunt wrong, but for now he decided to refocus their discussion to The Worthington Cup. “I hired a new coordinator late this afternoon. She starts tomorrow.”
    His aunt pressed her palms together. “I’d love to meet her. How about lunch Wednesday? You’ll clear your schedule?”
    “Absolutely.” Nate ignored the dread pooling in his stomach. Hopefully Miss Love had learned her lesson where chi, or whatever it was she had called it, was concerned. “Her name is Beatrice Love and she comes highly recommended.”
    Aunt Martha’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not familiar with that name. Is she new to Philadelphia?”
    “No,” Nate shook his head, “just a well-kept secret.”
    “Is that the young woman I saw leaving your office?” Melanie asked.
    Nate choked again mid-sip. “You met Miss Love?”
    “Petite? White suit?” Melanie wrinkled her nose. “Not terribly graceful, though.”
    Nate pictured Beatrice Love’s wild hair, bright smile, and soft, warm touch. Sudden heat spread to his fingertips and toes, forcing him to recount the number of drinks he’d consumed.
    “Yes, that sounds like her.” He loosened his tie for the second time that day. What was wrong with the thermostats in this city? “I can assure you, Aunt Martha, Beatrice Love comes highly recommended and extremely qualified. We’ve got nothing to worry about.”
    He tossed back the last of his scotch and gestured to a passing waiter, all the while battling to keep Beatrice Love’s vivid blue eyes and soft vanilla scent out of his brain.
    No, he reassured himself. Nothing to worry about at all.
    o0o
    Later that night, Bunny spread out the Chanel for the next morning, her nerve