I knew when he excused himself from our conversation that he was angry. A little warning bell went off in my head, telling me maybe I was pushing him too far. But it was too late to turn back. I was in this.
Rosalyn was actually a pretty down-to-earth girl for being a senator’s daughter. I actually liked talking to her. I saw the way she watched him as he walked away, her eyes following him until he was out of sight. He probably had, what, fifteen minutes tops with her? How in the hell did he manage to wrap her around his finger that fast?
Something had to be done about that.
Of course there were other people there vying for her attention. When her father called her name, she looked at me apologetically and I smiled. “Duty calls.”
She sighed. “I suppose so. I enjoyed talking with you tonight. I thought this event would be like every other one I get dragged to.” She stuck out her tongue. “But this one turned out to be pretty entertaining.”
I smiled again and turned to go when she caught my hand and pressed a business card into it. “Maybe we can have lunch soon?”
I guess I looked surprised because she made a face and said, “Most people I spend time with are, like, over fifty.”
I laughed. “I’m sorry. Sure, lunch would be fun.”
“Bring your brother, too.”
Oh, yay. She wanted me to bring Charming.
“Are you sure about that?” I asked, wondering if what I told her had fallen on deaf ears.
“A girl can never have too many friends,” Rosalyn replied. “Especially young ones.”
I gave her a wave and went off to see who Charming was torturing with his presence now. I rounded the corner in time to see him standing off by himself with this weird look on his face. Almost as if he’d seen a ghost.
And then the glass he held fell from his hand and shattered everywhere, causing everyone near him to flinch at the sound.
Waiters rushed to clean up the mess and Charming just stood there pale and staring at the staircase, unmoving.
I walked up to him and grabbed his arm. “What’s the matter with you?” I demanded. “Did you need some extra attention?”
He blinked and looked at me, his expression clearing a bit. “Did you see her?” he asked.
“Who?”
“The blonde in the gold dress…” He glanced at the stairs again. Without another word he took off, rushing up the stairs and out of sight.
A woman dressed in a black beaded lace gown came rushing over. “All guests are to remain downstairs,” she said, then looked down at the half-cleaned-up mess. “What happened?”
I don’t know why I tried to smooth things over. I wasn’t here to help him. But the words just came out anyway. “I’m sorry. I startled him and he dropped the glass.” One of the waiters looked up at me sharply. He knew I was lying. I gave him the evil eye and turned back to the woman who was likely hosting the party.
“I think he was embarrassed and just wanted a moment alone to compose himself.”
As if on cue, Charming descended the stairs, looking unruffled and polished as ever.
“I didn’t mean to cause a commotion,” I said, drawing away her stare. “This is a lovely event, one of the best I’ve ever attended. And your gown is just stunning. I bet that beading was all hand sewn.”
She straightened under the compliments and was about to reply when Charming arrived at my side. “Madam,” he said ultra smoothly. “Please allow me to pay for the broken glass.”
“That isn’t necessary. Accidents happen.”
He grinned, showing off his perfect white teeth. “Well, then allow me to make a second donation this evening. Would you care to lead the way?”
He held out his arm and she all but tripped, wrapping her wrist and arm around him. They began to walk away toward the donation table when he glanced over his shoulder. “Sister, dear,” he said, his voice sickeningly sweet. “Don’t go anywhere just yet.”
And that was my cue to leave.
I dug my coat check ticket out of my clutch and turned it in, wondering after several minutes if the guy decided to go to the store and buy me a new one because it took so long for him to bring it back. When he did arrive, I snatched it out of his hand and didn’t bother to put it on but went out the great double doors and onto the porch (if you could even call it that. It was bigger than my entire apartment).
