“What do you mean?” She caught at his sleeve. “We said no holding back. If you know something, have seen something, tell me.”

“It doesn’t always work like a perfect mirror of events. I know the person we’re looking for will be here tonight, and I’ll recognize who it is. We’ve played the game well so far, Mel. And we’ll play it out.”

“All right.” She took a deep breath. “What do you say, honey bun? Shall we go down and get ready to greet our guests?”

He winced. “Don’t call me honey bun.”

“Shoot, and I thought I was getting the hang of it.” She started down, then stopped with a hand pressed to her stomach. “Oh, Lord, there’s the bell. Here we go.”

*  *  *

It wasn’t really so bad, Mel discovered as the party flowed through the house and onto the deck. Everyone seemed to be having a dandy old time. There was some nice classical music—of Sebastian’s choosing—playing in the background. The night was balmy enough that they could leave the doors wide and allow the guests to roam in and out. The food, if she did say so herself, was excellent. And, if she didn’t recognize half of the canapés, it hardly mattered. She accepted the compliments graciously.

There was wine and laughter and interesting conversation. Which she supposed made for a pretty good party. And it was nice to watch Sebastian move through the room, to look over and see him smile at her, or to have him stop beside her for a touch or a private word.

Anyone looking at us would buy it, she thought. We’re the world’s happiest couple, madly in love with each other.

She could almost buy it herself, when his gaze moved in her direction and his eyes warmed, sending those secret signals up her spine.

Linda glided up, looking drop-dead gorgeous in a white off-the-shoulder gown. “I swear, the man can’t keep his eyes off you. If I could find his twin, I might give marriage another shot after all.”

“There’s no one else like him,” Mel said, sincerely enough. “Believe me, Donovan’s one of a kind.”

“And he’s all yours.”

“Yes. All mine.”

“Well, besides being lucky in love, you throw a wonderful party. Your house is beautiful.” And, Linda calculated, worth at least a good million on the market.

“Thank you, but I really owe you for recommending the caterer. He’s a jewel.”

“Anything I can do.” She squeezed Mel’s hand and gave her a long look. “I mean that.”

Mel was quick. “Do you … have you … Oh, I don’t mean to nag, but I haven’t been able to think about anything else for days.”

“No promises,” she said, but then she winked. “There is someone I’d like you to meet. You did say I could invite some people.”