Page 41 of Just My Luck

Since he didn’t fill my glass, I poured myself a little and took a sip. Glancing at the bottle, I whistled. “I thought this tasted familiar,” I said, smoothly. “My mother’s favorite.”

Kit’s eyebrows rose again. “I’m very sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I hope your family is well.”

“Thank you, we are each handling it in different ways.” It was the best response I had come up with in the month since Dad’s passing. When I just said we were all well, people tended to feel put off.

“Good,” Kit said, motioning to the waiting staff that we were ready for our first course.

“You can see your new site from here,” Nova pointed out, motioning toward the horizon.

Kit glanced over and, for the first time, I saw pride flash behind the man’s eyes. “Yes.” Kit shifted to look. I followed their gaze.

The construction site was illuminated, no doubt to be on display for tonight’s festivities.

“Wow, it’s come so far since the last time we were here.” Nova shifted slightly.

“The latest estimate is that it will be completed in fall of next year,” Kit answered. “But how about we keep the work talk to a minimum?” he said smoothly. Clearly his main goal for tonight had been to win Nova over, and he didn’t want her distracted by work talk.

“What do you like to do during your free time?” Nova surprised Kit by asking.

“I, um, have several interests,” he answered.

We both waited. He took a sip of his drink and glanced at me.

“I play polo and golf and fly in any spare time I have,” he finally answered.

“How exciting. Jax plays polo as well. He was on his high school polo team and now takes part on our country club’s team. He has also won several local and state golf tournaments.” She beamed. I held in a chuckle.

In the last year I had skipped the polo team since I’d been too busy at work, and golf was more of a leisure activity now than a sport. Those golf tournaments were back when I was in high school. I suppose my father’s health slipping had caused me to spend more time at work than outdoors like I’d wanted.

“How interesting,” Kit said dryly.

“Do you have your own plane?” Nova asked.

“I have several.”

“I took a few lessons a few years back. Small single engine,” she said. “I lost interest in it pretty quick after hitting a gust of wind that almost took us down.”

I remember being thankful that day that she’d decided it was no longer for her.

For the next few moments, while we enjoyed our salads and soup, they talked flying and planes.

Then the main course arrived—filet mignon on a bed of fresh spinach and whiskey glazed shrimp, along with bacon and parmesan au gratin potatoes. The conversation turned to local politics somehow.

From the first few moments of the conversation I understood that Kit’s family was well embedded with Nevada’s political elite.

I loved listening to the small little jabs Nova made at the man, who was either willfully ignorant to them or too obtuse to understand clearly.

By the time desert rolled out—chocolate souffle with a fresh raspberry sauce and cream on top—I could tell Nova was bored and over playing games.

“I know the board wanted a quick meeting with you sometime tomorrow,” Kit said once our plates were removed.

“Yes, we have a ten o’clock meeting scheduled,” I answered.

“How about I take Nova over to the site and show her around? She didn’t get the full tour like you did on your last trip.”

“I’d like that,” Nova jumped in, her eyes returning to the lighted building. Then she glanced over at me and I nodded.

The board had specifically requested a meeting with me for the following day, and Nova had suggested she take the time to do some shopping or sightseeing.