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when we met, you didn’t seem like an erotic romance type of guy. And don’t forget all those sandwiches I fed you. I’ve never met a man with such an appetite. I needed a vacation after I nursed you back to health.” She put her hand on her hip.
    “Serves you right for almost damaging the most beautiful jade eyes you’ve ever seen.” He’d heard her telling one of her friends that little tidbit on the phone one day. “Your words, not mine. I think you were talking to your friend Wendy.”
    She bit her lip. “So you were an awful patient and nosey. I did everything but give you sponge baths.”
    Channing’s mouth went dry. Why didn’t he think of a sponge bath? Tyler had given him the idea to milk the injury for all it was worth, and it had worked like a charm. There was no harm in telling her the truth now.
    “I have a confession to make. My eye wasn’t hurt that bad. It was fine after about two days.” He scratched at his beard.
    “What!” Her eyes widened.
    “Hold on now.” He didn’t like the way she was gripping that champagne flute. “You were taking such good care of me, and I…liked it.”
    “I was scared you were going to call your mama on me. As you threatened to do many times like you were five years old.”
    “Well, it worked.”
    “You are a class-A jerk and a mama’s boy.”
    Channing moved closer to her and ran his thumb along her jawline. “My stunt did get you to spend some time with me.” When she looked up into his eyes, he swallowed hard. Those doe eyes got him every time. “Want to tell me where you disappeared to last year?”
    “Why do you want to know? Did you miss me?” Cassidy looked up into his eyes.
    “As a matter of fact I did.” Channing kissed her with such wild abandon that he thought the earth had moved. Cassidy slid her hands under his suit jacket and gripped his shoulders. He put his hands on her petite waist and pulled her closer. She smelled fantastic. He could feel the softness of her body as she pressed against him.
    “There you are.”
    They pulled apart when they heard a familiar voice from the terrace door. Channing turned to see Hannah standing in the doorway. Channing couldn’t believe his eyes when Emma came up behind her wearing a black cocktail dress.
    “I knew he was around here somewhere,” Hannah said, then went back to the party.
    He furrowed his eyebrows. “Emma, what are you doing here?”
    “I thought I’d surprise you. You said you were going to be in DC so I thought I’d come join you.” Emma came over. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
    “Emma, this is my friend Cassidy. Cassidy, this is Emma, an old friend from Texas.”
    Channing saw the disappointment flash in Cassidy’s eyes as she plastered on a smile and shook Emma’s hand.
    “Nice to meet you Emma. If you’ll excuse me, I promised Hannah I’d help her in the kitchen.” Cassidy shot him a dirty look, then scurried off.
    “She’s seems nice,” Emma murmured.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “I thought it would be a nice surprise. Aren’t you happy to see me?” She ran her hands along the lapel of his jacket.
    “I told you I’d be in touch when you got back to Texas.” He pulled her hands off.
    She sighed. “I thought this would prove to you that I’m serious about having a relationship with you.”
    “Did you ever stop and think if that’s what I wanted?” He glared at her.
    Geoff came out onto the terrace. “I told your friend Emma you were still here. It was good she could surprise you and make it to the party. I was hoping you didn’t leave without saying good-bye.”
    “Of course not,” Channing said, forcing the smile into place. “I’m so happy for you and Hannah. You two deserve all the happiness in the world.”
    “Thanks. Listen, I’ve been playing host all evening. I feel like we didn’t really get to talk. I wanted to get together with you before you left to catch up.”
    “How about lunch at the Cannery tomorrow? My