Can't Stand the Heat by Shelly Ellis Page A

living room.”
    Stephanie nodded and walked inside before strolling past the winding staircase.
    â€œTry the cabernet!” Tisha called after her. “We had it shipped in especially from Napa!”
    Stephanie made her way through the nicely dressed crowd, who sipped from wineglasses and shared polite conversation while mellow jazz music played in the background. This certainly wasn’t a “down-home” house blessing by any estimation. If anyone got the Holy Spirit, Stephanie was sure a crowd like this would be aghast and disgusted. They’d probably faint.
    Though not all partygoers were local, Stephanie spotted an assortment of the upper crust of Chesterton around the room: the business leaders, lawyers, and doctors who held the most power (and money) in their small town. Stephanie glanced inside her purse and discretely made sure her business cards were handy. She could very well find several new clients this afternoon.
    She smiled at a group of men who were huddled in one of the living room corners, behind the sofa. One of the men—a tall, handsome brother with a goatee—looked up at her and smiled back.
    Maybe I’ll find a lot more than a client today, she thought as he tipped his wineglass to her.
    Stephanie was always on the lookout for a new man— especially if he was a rich one.
    Mr. Goatee murmured something to his friends before walking toward her, but then he stopped. His eager smile disappeared. She watched, confused, as he veered in another direction and walked off.
    Well, what the hell was that about?
    Stephanie didn’t have any further chance to speculate on his sudden loss of interest. She felt someone grab her by the elbow. She turned in surprise to find James Sayers, of all people, grinning down at her.
    â€œSteph! Hello, gorgeous! I didn’t expect to see you here. How are you?”
    Stephanie cringed. She was well aware of what James had done to Lauren. She had seen the bruises, scratches, and blood that November night. She, Dawn, and Cynthia had tended to Lauren’s wounds. Lauren had even stayed with Stephanie for a few weeks before she found a place of her own.
    Like Lauren, none of them had chosen to take a public stand against James. Their little sister wanted to keep quiet the story of what he had done to her. He was just too powerful in town, Lauren had argued. Stephanie respected Lauren’s decision. It was her choice. But just because Stephanie didn’t openly show her distaste for the man, didn’t mean she had to like him or be around him. He made her skin crawl.
    â€œHey, James,” she said flatly, pulling out of his grasp.
    â€œI haven’t seen you in quite a while, Steph.” He shoved one of his hands into his pants pocket and drank from his wineglass. “It’s been . . . I don’t know . . . more than six months.”
    â€œYes, it has.” She looked away, pretending to be fascinated with one of the modernist paintings on the wall, hoping he would take the hint.
    â€œYou and your sisters used to visit all the time.” He chuckled. “You were at my place so often, I was going to charge you rent!”
    â€œWell, now that Lauren no longer lives with you, there’s no reason to visit, now, is there?”
    He finished what was left of his wine. His cordial smile disappeared. “Speaking of Lauren . . . how is your lovely sister? Doing well, I hope.”
    Stephanie slowly turned away from the painting and narrowed her eyes up at James.
    This guy has got some huge balls, she thought angrily.
    â€œShe’s fine, James. Just . . . fine.”
    â€œThat’s good to hear. Can I speak with you privately for a second?”
    James didn’t give her a chance to reply. He dropped his hand to her back and steered her to one of the empty corners of the crowded room. Again, she tried to ease out of his grasp, but this time, he linked an arm around her waist. His hold tightened. Stephanie