“Valerie.”Her father’s voice boomed.
“Hello, Father.This is Lucas Bryer.Lucas, my father, Bernard.”
“Mr.Ray.”I shook his hand as he looked me over critically.
“Lucas.What type of business are you in?”
Valerie grasped my free hand and squeezed.“I work in finance.That’s how I met Valerie.”
“You’re an accountant?”
I bristled at the disdain in his voice.As if being an accountant wasn’t a valid job.“Not exactly.I’m the CFO for a large corporation.”
“I see.Valerie, you could go to work for this corporation rather than that small outfit you’re with.”He turned back to Lucas.“She’s turned down offers of a job at my company.Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”
What a fucking ass.
“And I’ve told you multiple times I’d rather stay where I am, thank you.”Her tone was quiet, but firm.Good for her.
“But you could make so much more money with me.I don’t know why you’re not ambitious.”
My jaw almost dropped.
“Valerie.”A female voice squealed, interrupting us.Maybe that was a good thing, because I was about to take her father to task about money having nothing to do with ambition.
I glanced to my right to see a woman with fake blonde hair bearing down on us.Oh yes, I could tell fake hair when I saw it.
“Kendall.”
This was Valerie’s sister?I was expecting someone more like Valerie.Not this fake Barbie.
“And who is this?”She put her hand on my arm.
“Lucas Bryer,” I said before Valerie could, and I gently removed her hand.
“I’m Kendall.You are absolutely scrumptious.Save me a dance for later.”
Her voice was soft and flirty.I shivered, seeing right through the charade.Predator was written all over her face.
“Kendall—” Bernard’s voice had a warning in it.
“Chill, Dad.Valerie won’t mind.”
Bernard shook his head.“I’ll see you later.”He stared hard at Valerie before walking away.
“Please, go mingle.I’ll find you later for that dance.”Kendall turned and sashayed away after Bernard.
“Like hell.I value my life.”
Valerie giggled.“And there you have it.My family.”
“I think I understand better now.Why don’t we mingle for a while and see how soon we can escape.”
“Escape sounds like heaven.”
It did.I’d take us both out of here right now if it wouldn’t cause a scene, and I was sure it would because I could see Cora watching our every move.I wanted to do something scandalous but held back.Let’s see how long they kept their distance.
Almost two hours later, we’d mingled, had some wine, and eaten.It was mostly finger food, but enough to keep us going.A few people stopped and talked to Valerie and me, but mainly, we were ignored.Not that I minded.It gave me time to observe.
