Rescuing the Bad Boy (Second Chance #2)(87)

Gloria Shields had taken the stage early in the evening to introduce Evan and Asher, who were autographing copies of The Adventures of Mad Cow. She announced a painting of the illustrated cartoon characters, Mad Cow and Swine Flew. Her tone was a little more strained and a lot less relaxed when she announced the next auction item: a private performance by Asher Knight and the rest of the band from Knight Time. Whatever had happened between Glo and Ash, Sofie guessed it would be a while before those wounds were mended.

If at all.

Proving relationships sucked basically everywhere, Faith, in an attempt to be cordial, was enduring—if not humoring—her ex-fiancé. Michael had shown up to represent Abundance Market, which Faith and Sofie agreed was respectable. Faith wasn’t quite ready to forgive and forget the whole “Cookie” incident, but she admitted to Sofie that if he managed not to be a complete jackass while they were in the same room, she would see about forgiving him.

And here she came now, striding over on heels not as tall as Sofie’s, but still she towered over her. At five-feet-ten, it didn’t take much for Faith to tower. She handed over a pink drink garnished with a cherry and a slice of fresh pineapple.

Faith elevated her own glass. “Who knew something called ‘Swine Flew Fizz’ would taste as good as this delectable beverage?”

“Where is Michael?” Sofie sipped her own drink.

“I don’t know.” Faith rolled her eyes.

“Smile, beautiful ladies.” Charlie appeared in front of them, camera raised.

Faith and Sofie pressed their cheeks together and grinned.

After the shutter clicked, Sofie said, “You should be about done, right? Have a drink with us.”

Faith raised her glass. “They’re better than they sound.”

“I didn’t intend for you to work the entire evening,” Sofie told Charlie. “I’m sure you have enough photos to supply Open Arms and me with plenty of advertising and fundraising shots.”

Charlie examined the screen on her digital Nikon. “I don’t mind. Plus, my fiancé is busy writing his name in children’s books.” Her smile was proud, and when she locked eyes with Evan, Sofie watched Charlie’s smile turn lusty.

Ah, amore.

“Maybe I should forget Michael and take a stab at Asher,” Faith joked, sipping her Fizz and angling a gaze at the rock star.

“Trust me, sweets,” Gloria said in that droll I’ve-seen-it-all manner she’d perfected, “you do not want a piece of that.”

Faith choked, startled to find the raven-haired literary agent standing behind her.

“Gloria.” With great effort, she cleared her throat. “I hope you know I was kidding. I know Asher is off-limits.”

“He’s not off-limits to any other female on the planet. Or in his tour bus,” Gloria grumbled. “I don’t know why you should apologize.” She jerked her chin to a group of suits in the corner. Hot men with dashing smiles. “Get you one of those. Millionaires, billionaires, that’s the way to go.”

“Yes,” said Kimber, joining their little group. “Because men with lots of money have zero problems.” She winked good-naturedly—the way Kimber approached everything, Sofie had noticed. Gosh, she liked her. Why didn’t she live closer?

“Landon just needed a good woman.” Gloria elbowed Kimber in the arm.

Evan’s oldest brother stood across the room, glass of scotch in hand, his other hand in his pocket. His hair was cut short and neat, a lighter shade of brown than Evan’s. The man looked hot in a tux and stylish black glasses. Kimber was equally gorgeous in a chic black dress with a hint of vintage lace along the arms and hemline.

Crickitt August stepped up behind Kimber now, pink drink lifted to her lips. Sofie had met Crickitt earlier. The curly-headed beauty was married to Shane August, Landon’s business partner and CEO of August Industries. He was the broad-shouldered drink-of-water standing next to Landon. A head full of wavy, dark hair lay against his head, and Sofie would be lying if she said she hadn’t taken an appreciative gander at the way his pants cupped his butt. The man was not hard to look at.

“It’s true, Shane is perfect and has never done anything wrong.” Crickitt tossed her chin-length curls with one hand and winked at the group. “I’m sure Charlie would agree Evan is similarly fault-free.”

“Oh yes,” Charlie said, laying the sarcasm on thick. “We most certainly did not have an argument this morning about who put the nearly empty cereal box back in the cabinet.”

“We went to the mat over where to eat dinner last night,” said the very petite, curvy blond bombshell who stepped into their inner circle next.

“Sadie,” Crickitt introduced. “These are the girls.”

After names were given, Sofie’s eyes went straight to Sadie’s shoes. “I love those.”

“Jimmy Choo. Forty percent off.”

Oh yeah, they were going to become fast friends.

“Who won the dinner debate?” Kimber asked.

“Me,” Sadie announced proudly. “Because he got his way about bringing the bike here.”

Kimber’s eyebrows lifted. “You rode from Osborn to Evergreen Cove on his Harley?”

“We did.”

Yes, the Downeys—and their cousin, Shane, an honorary Downey—had heard of the charity dinner and swarmed. Like a troupe of well-meaning bees. Evan’s sister Angel and her husband, Richie, made the trip up from Tennessee. Sofie talked to the sassy brunette at the start of the evening.