"So what can I get you guys? Colin?" she asked first, obviously attempting to change the subject.
"Do you have any bottled water? Emma's getting tipsy and Logan wants to dilute her wine."
Rina furrowed her eyebrows. "Emma doesn't drink. She's up to something, so you'd better keep an eye on her. Better yet, keep an eye on poor Stan. The man has his hands full." She turned to her brother. "And you? Isn't your wife waiting inside?"
"As a matter of fact, she wants to know if you have any celery."
Rina crinkled her nose. "Cat's hot appetizers are so good. Why would Brianne want celery?"
Jake rolled his eyes skyward. "As if I have a clue what women think."
"Hmm. That might be a good subject for my next series of articles. How to get inside a woman's head." She grinned. "I like that."
"Works for me," Jake muttered.
Colin swallowed hard and remained silent.
"Brianne also wants peanut butter," Jake said. "And some raisins if you have them. Oh, and she'd like a large glass of milk."
Colin grimaced. "That's what I call disgusting."
"It's what I'd call a craving," Rina said, her eyes opening wide.
"What?" Jake walked over to Rina, obviously picking up on her choice of words. "What are you talking about?"
"Brianne's got odd cravings. Could there be any special reason for them?" Rina wiggled her eyebrows knowingly while Jake, the macho cop, suddenly looked green.
"To hell with the celery," he said, and bolted for the other room to talk to his wife.
Rina laughed. "Mission accomplished. Jake's out of here and we can squeeze in a minute alone."
"You went to all this trouble, arranged this party, all for me. Do you know how lucky I am to have you?" He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. She smelled like Rina, an arousing floral scent that seeped into his bones. He smelled it in his sleep.
"Mmm. As long as you know how lucky you are, that's all that counts." She linked her hands around his neck and pulled him into a hot, tongue-tangling kiss.
But before things could get any deeper, a ringing cell phone interrupted them. With a groan, Colin reached for the phone clasped to his belt while Rina stepped back, resigned.
"Hello?"
"Merry Christmas, Colin." He recognized Corinne's voice.
His heart clenched in fear. "Same to you. Is Joe okay?" he asked, knowing she wouldn't call without good reason.
"Actually, he's doing well today. Holiday spirits and all that. He'd like to see you."
Fear turned to anticipation. "I'd planned on coming to the hospital after dinner."
"Could you make it before then? Actually, can you make it now? Joe's strength is up and it's a good time for the two of you to talk."
"Go," Rina whispered, obviously having overheard. "I understand."
He didn't want to leave, if only because he didn't want to walk out on her again. But he needed to see Joe and he couldn't let the opportunity slip by. "Tell him I'll be there," he said to Corinne.
"Thanks."
Colin hung up and slipped the phone into his pocket, shooting Rina a regret-filled look. "I wish-"
"Shh." She put a finger to his lips. "It's Christmas. You should be with Joe. I'd go with you but I have a houseful of people."
He placed his hand beneath her chin, tilting her face up toward him. "You thought about going with me. That means a lot."
He bent to kiss her and, as usual, the kiss flared out of control. She teased him with her tongue, tracing the seam of his lips and darting inside before she pulled away.
"Just wanted to give you a taste. Come back tonight and I'll give you even more." A wicked gleam flickered in her gaze, making him laugh. He'd already grown hard with wanting her.
Getting through the day, his desire unrelieved, would be hell. Dealing with Joe and the subject of family, the paper and Corinne would be even worse.
"Hey you two, quit necking and get inside for a toast." Emma said, banging on the wall by the kitchen, making her presence known. "It's rude to make out when you have company waiting. I, on the other hand, do not have company. So would you mind pointing out the least trafficked area so I can get my dear Stan alone?"
Colin rolled his eyes.
Rina laughed. "Probably the bathroom, since this is a small place. Sorry, Emma, but today won't be the most romantic day you'll ever spend."
She wagged her wrinkled finger at Rina. "That's where you're wrong. It's the person you are with, not your surroundings that matters. Now get inside. Your brother wants to make a toast."
And then he'd head over to the hospital, Colin thought, uncertain of whether to dread or look forward to the meeting. As they stepped inside, Jake tapped a knife against a glass and the talking dwindled. "I'd just like to say a few words. First, I don't know most of you, but thanks for taking care of my sister since she's moved here."
Colin squeezed Rina's hand tight.
"Second, I want to toast her determination to make a new life and her success in going after what she's always wanted. My sister is now a newspaper columnist and happier than I've ever seen her. Here's to health and happiness, Ri."
Rina blushed, an adorable shade of pink. But with every one of Jake's words, Colin's gut twisted tighter. Because he knew he was heading over to the hospital to finally discuss the paper's financial situation and future with Joe. A future that might not include Rina.
She wanted to continue her column and live life on her own terms the way her ex-husband had never allowed her to do. Could Colin destroy her dreams just so he could achieve his own goals? January 1 was around the corner, and even if Colin managed an extension, it would only delay the inevitable. Unless he came up with another solution or performed magic. Neither seemed likely.
"And lastly," Jake said, bringing Colin back to the other man's toast, "I want to let all of you in on the fact that my beautiful wife and I are officially expecting a baby, something I just discovered myself. So cheers, everyone, and Merry Christmas." He raised his glass and everyone toasted, clicking glasses and murmuring good wishes.
Colin glanced at Rina's wide smile. "You don't seem surprised by this news. You weren't fishing when you sent your brother out of the room earlier?"
She shrugged, looking like the proverbial cat who ate the canary. "I had a very strong hunch. I'm just glad to be right. I'm going to be an aunt!" Her voice rose in excitement as she glanced back at her brother and Brianne.
"You like kids, huh?" Now, where the hell had that come from?
"Is this a trick question?" She met his gaze, a wry smile on her lips. "I say no, you think I'm a witch? I say yes, you run for cover before I can con you into having one? It is every single man's worst fear realized, right?"
He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. "Until he meets the right woman." And then before things could get too serious, he said, "I have to get going."
She nodded. "I know talking to Joe won't be easy, but you need to do what I said. You need to be true to yourself."
His heart constricted at her serious words and earnest gaze. She cared so much and gave even more. But she had no idea just what her advice would cost her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
RINA LOVED the holidays. The music, the festive cheer, the people surrounding her. She just wished she'd been able to help Colin more, but maybe meeting with Joe would do the trick.
Emma tapped her foot impatiently against the floor and Rina realized she was being chastised. She also knew what for. "What would you like me to do?" she asked, meeting the older woman's annoyed gaze. "I can't just take off after Colin."
Much as she'd like to. She didn't want him to be alone when dealing with Joe, in case the older man's explanation provided more hurt than solution.