Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Her eyes jump to mine in surprise, and then she squares her shoulders, those diamonds winking at her neckline, and nods once.
“You’re right. Thanks for the reminder.”
“Let’s go find our seats.”
The ballroom is fancy. It seems tonight is the night for that term, because I can’t think of another one. The crystal chandeliers hang low over round tables dressed in crisp, white tablecloths covered in silver and crystal.
A string quartet plays live music as we wander through the room.
London smiles and greets everyone who approaches her, remembering their names and little tidbits about their lives, which surprises me.
“Oh, hello, Marshall. It’s so lovely to see you and your wife, especially after that nasty spill you took on that ski trip last year.”
“Nancy, you look marvelous. How is that new puppy settling in?”
“Greg, you’re as handsome as ever. How are you and your husband getting on? I keep meaning to invite you over for dinner.”
She’s flawless as she moves through the room, making small talk. You’d never know that she was a ball of nervous energy just thirty minutes ago.
When we make our way to our table, I’m relieved to see my uncle Will and my aunt Meg already seated, and walk over to say hello.
“You’re so damn handsome,” Meg says as she pats my cheek and smooths down the lapel of my jacket.
“And you’re gorgeous. What are you doing with a dud like him?” I gesture to Will with my thumb as he grins widely next to me.
“He charmed me with his rapier wit.”
I snort at that and turn to shake my uncle’s hand. “No one else is here yet?”
“Henry and his wife should be here soon.”
I nod. Henry is a defensive line coach and has become a friend of mine over the past few months.
London makes her way to my side, and I smile down at her. “Meg, have you met London Ambrose?”
“Briefly,” Meg replies and reaches out to shake London’s hand. “It’s great to see you again, London.”
“You, as well. That gown is beautiful. Blue is your color.”
“Thank you.”
“There’s my girl.”
I feel London stiffen beside me, but she pastes on a smile and turns at her father’s voice.
“Hello, Dad.”
“You’re a vision,” he says as he leans in to buss her cheek. “But you look like you might be putting on a few pounds.”
Appalled, I glance over at Will, who shakes his head. Don’t respond.
“Actually, I’m down five,” London retorts. “But who’s counting, right?”
“Felix joined me this evening,” her father goes on, not even missing a beat. Chandler Ambrose is an ass. “He said he saw you this morning.”
“He interrupted my day, yes.”
“Come, sit with him, and you two can get things sorted out.”
“Not on your life.” London smiles up at her father, who’s raised an eyebrow at her. “I will not now, nor ever, sit with him and sort anything out. But if you would like him to be your friend, that’s your choice.”
Will clears his throat, and Meg looks down at her drink, but I don’t move my eyes from Chandler.
“I believe our seats are right over here,” I say, gesturing to two chairs on the opposite side of the table from Chandler and Felix, and London smiles up at me as if I just cured cancer.
“I’d love to get to know you more, Meg,” London says as she turns her back on her father and sits next to the other woman.
“It won’t last,” Chandler says to me in a low voice before walking away to try to charm someone else.
Meg and London are already chatting about music as Will gestures me over as he stands.
“What’s going on here?”
“It looks like we’re on a date.”
Will’s eyes narrow. “I thought you didn’t like her.”
“Feelings can change. I like her just fine.”
He exhales and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Be careful, Drew. Chandler isn’t exactly the man you want to try to go toe-to-toe with.”
“I’m not trying to do that.”
He nods and then takes his seat next to his wife. I glance up and see Felix watching us with an angry, narrowed gaze.
I lean over and whisper in London’s ear. “I’m going to be very attentive tonight because that asshole over there has wolf written all over him.”
She laughs, playing the part, and cups my cheek in her hand. “I don’t mind. But we should probably talk about all of this later.”
“Later. For now, just play along.”
Chapter 4
London
I’m freaking exhausted. It’s been three hours of smiling and pretending. Talking and remembering small, insignificant tidbits about acquaintances so they feel special.
The hardest part, though, is keeping a smile on my face, even when my father is acting like a complete ass. He’s embarrassing.
Always has been.
He’s so arrogant and thinks he’s the most beloved, most important person in the room. And usually, he is. He’s charming, and people like him.
But more than that, he’s rich. Beyond rich. And because of that incredible, unreal wealth, people gravitate his way.