We all glanced at one another. Viv frowned. “I hope that’s not Piper, coming round again.”

I shrugged and crossed the room to open the door. I could run interference. I was good at that.

The handsome man standing in the hallway was unexpected. His dark hair fell over his forehead in thick waves. He was tall and trim, wearing designer clothes that fit his frame so perfectly I was certain they were bespoke. Normally, when I encountered a good-looking man, my default setting was to flirt. Not this time. There was a coldness in his brown eyes that made me back up a half step.

“May I help you?” I asked.

“Maybe,” he said. He grinned. It was a slash of white that didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m looking for Vivian.”

“And you are?” I asked. I had a feeling I knew, but I wanted it confirmed.

“I’m the man of the hour, of course, Dooney Portis,” he said.

Chapter 5

I don’t usually take an immediate dislike to a person. In fact, I generally like everyone, even the grumpies, but there was something about this guy that set all my internal alarm bells to clanging. Maybe it was because I knew about his history with Andre or perhaps it was the side part in his hair or the overpowering scent of his Oud de Carthage cologne. Whatever it was, I didn’t like him.

He took a step forward as if assured of his welcome, so I did what anyone would do in such a situation. I shut the door in his face.

“Just a minute,” I yelled through the door. I whirled around and saw Viv staring at me with round eyes and Andre silently laughing.

“Did you just slam the door on him?” he asked, wheezing a bit.

“Yup.” I looked at Viv. “Do you want to see him?”

She closed her book and set it aside. She studied her manicure. “I suppose I have to, given he’s the groom and all.” She turned to Andre and added, “But you don’t. Feel free to leave through my bedroom if you want.”

“Oh, I want,” he said. He turned and walked to her bedroom, then paused in the doorway. “Unless you two need me?”

“Nah.” I waved a dismissive hand at him. “We’ve got this.”

He glanced between us and then nodded. “I’m right next door, bellow and I’ll come running.”

“Why does Piper’s fiancé want to talk to you?” I asked Viv.

She shrugged. “I’m sure I have no idea and I won’t know until you let him in.”

I turned back to the door. I opened it, half hoping he’d gotten the hint and skulked away. No such luck. He was leaning against the doorframe as if he’d known it was only a matter of time before I invited him in. Annoying.