“The night will be over before you know it. Then the fun can begin,” Reagan replied with a wink.

“Looking forward to it.” Jill moved toward the dining room, playfully mimicking banging her head against the doorframe.

Reagan chuckled and waved her away. She turned to see Gwen rolling her eyes and grinning, and she smiled wide. “All set?”

“Yep. Soups are ready to go out. Can you watch the room for course change? Give us a five-minute warning so we can dress the salads.”

“I’m on it.”

She entered the dining area and stood to the side, her hands behind her back and eyes scanning the room. Watching people eat was boring as hell, but she didn’t mind this task as it meant she could sneak glances at Jill and take in how sexy she looked tonight. Reagan had figured she’d be in a dress, but she wore a burgundy suit and vest with a black button-up. Instead of her typical tight bun or ponytail, she had her hair down with loose curls.

Reagan stared so long she almost missed that most of the guests were finishing with their soups. She slipped into the kitchen to signal Gwen, but then resumed her position in the dining room.

When she caught herself staring again, Reagan took a breather in the kitchen, sitting on a stool at the island. “Big house, huh?”

“Oh yeah. Be happy you missed the tour. Maureen likes to brag about the extravagance of it all,” Gwen whispered.

“I can imagine.”

“Is Jill like that?”

Reagan crossed her arms. “No, she’s not. And don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re just waiting for me to see the light or something. That you think I need to come to my senses about Jill or that we’re wrong for each other. You honestly don’t know her.”

Gwen sighed and had the decency to look a little ashamed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I think I’m having a hard time separating all this from who you say she is, especially since she was raised by someone like Maureen.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “And I don’t know her, so let’s change that. Invite her out for drinks with us.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I’m not trying to be an ass, Reagan. I’m just looking out for you. Gotta make sure she’s worthy of you.”

Reagan walked around the counter and planted a kiss on Gwen’s cheek. “Thank you for that.” She looked up to catch a signal from their head server. “Looks like dinner is wrapping up. Time for cake.”

Reagan rolled out the cart holding the two-tiered chocolate cake to the front of the room where Maureen and Douglas were waiting. She held back a shudder as she felt Douglas’s eyes on her and stepped off to the side.