Tempting Fate (The Blake Boys Book 9) Read Online Free PDF Page B

walk in closet. “Does this tie go with this suit?”
    “Very nice. You look like a model.” Morgan gushed.
    “You look devilishly handsome.” Michelle smiled.
    “Not gorgeous?” He smirked.
    She rolled her eyes. “Your brother made me sign something stating I cannot say another man is gorgeous.”
    “Where are my brothers?”
    “Tyler’s on the phone having a strategy session with his pit crew, and Seth is playing a video game with the boys.” Morgan sipped a glass of wine.
    “So, why are you so dressed up?” Michelle quipped.
    “Some law school friends are having an engagement party.” He played with his cuff links.
    “Will Ms. Cassidy Shaw be at this party?” Morgan got closer to the screen.
    He was nervous enough as it was, he didn’t want to talk about it. “Thanks for the input ladies but I gotta go.”
    “But we have questions!” Michelle yelled.
    “Love you. Bye!” Channing disconnected the call.
    He was pretty sure that wasn’t the end of their third degree, but he’d worry about it later. Certain there wasn’t another thing he could possibly do to groom himself, he grabbed the keys to the Infiniti Q70 Hybrid he kept in DC and the engagement gift and headed out.
     
    * * *
     
    As Channing knocked on the door and adjusted his tie, his cell phone went off. He glanced at the display; it was an incoming call from Emma. He sent the call to voice mail and jammed the phone back in his pocket. He decided to wait until she was back in Texas next month to have a talk with her.
    “Channing! So nice to see you!” Hannah greeted him with a hug.
    “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.” Geoff gave him a hug as well.
    “And miss my favorite couple getting hitched? Congratulations.” He handed her the present. “You look great Hannah.”
    “Come on in here and get a drink.” Hannah waved him inside.
    Hannah thrust a glass of champagne into Channing’s hand then pushed him forward to a pretty brunette. He could smell the setup a mile away, especially when Hannah made introductions and gushed about how smart he was and that he was a real live cowboy from Texas. A few more presumably eligible women came over, and he felt like clutching the lapels of his suit jacket to prevent prying eyes from mentally undressing him. Finally he saw one of his buddies, Stewart, and made the gracious excuse that he needed to catch up, getting him out of the crowd of women.
    It was no surprise that Stewart wanted to know who in the group of women was single. Stewart always fashioned himself as a ladies’ man, and Channing had been his wingman plenty of nights at O’Dell’s, the trendy bar they hung out at after a long day. Soon a few more friends joined in the conversation, all happy to see each other. It was no surprise that Stewart, Keith, Tim and Esmeralda were working grueling hours at prestigious law firms, waiting for their chance to shine. They teased him that he was ordered to work a cushy job at his father’s company. It was common knowledge that once he finished school, he would be taking his place in Blake Enterprises. He took the ribbing in stride, knowing that couldn’t be further from the truth. J.J. didn’t pull any punches because he was family, and he was grateful for that. For the first three months he’d put in ten hour days, acclimating himself to the inner workings of the company.
    John Jacob’s vision to have his sons take over the family business was always an option, but never an ultimatum. He remembered his father’s words when he started law school. He’d told Channing his future was his own, and when he graduated and felt there was something else he wanted to do, he would understand. But now that grandchildren were in the picture, John Jacob Blake was determined to leave one hell of a legacy behind, and Channing wanted to get in the trenches and help.
    He kept an eye out for Cassidy. He’d been there a half hour, and he still hadn’t seen her. One of Hanna’s friends seemed