"Indeed, I didn't expect someone so…"
Choose your next words carefully,I advised her silently.
She finished with, "Esteemed."
Good choice, until she dipped her eyelashes at him.
"Mrs. Kohl," Forrest said politely. He slipped a possessive arm around my waist. "It's nice to meet you. Let me introduce my friend, Leif Larsen."
He nodded toward Leif, who grinned like he was at a three-ring circus, and everyone here but us were the clowns. I hated clowns. They were creepy as hell. Although right then I felt more like a tightrope walker, which wasn't much of an improvement.
"Please call me Camilla," she said smoothly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Leif." She smiled as though they were old friends. "My friends have told me all about you. Perhaps you could give me a few tips on how to decorate this place?" She phrased it as a question, but at the same time managed to insist.
"I'd be more than happy to," Leif said, offering her his arm. He started to chat with her about the things he saw as he led her away across the room, leaving Forrest and I to stand on the edge of the crowd.
On the outside looking in wasn't new for me. I suspected it was new for him, but he looked unconcerned. Of course he did. When did he not take things in his stride? I should learn to be as cool as he was.
"My father is over there." I nodded.
Benjamin Kohl stood near the fire, a glass of wine in one hand, regarding the room like he was a king surveying his lessers. His hair was the same dark shade as mine but with a lot more grey these days. He looked as though he hadn't shaved for a couple of days, which wasn't like him. He was usually immaculate. Something must be going on for him to skip his routine, but his expression gave away nothing.
Forrest squeezed my hip, "It'll be okay. I'm right here with you."
I glanced over at him and nodded, offering him a faint smile before I started to make my way through the crowds.
They parted to make way for us. A few people muttered as we passed, but no one tried to stop us or engage us in conversation. Mostly the vibe was, 'what the hell is he doing with her?' Whatever, I didn't need their permission or opinions.
"Hi Daddy," I said, leaning in to kiss his stubbled cheek.
"There you are," he said, kissing me back. "I was surprised when your mother said you were going to be here tonight. I thought you were busy."
Only years of practice kept my thoughts from showing on my face. Of course that's what he'd believe. That was what she told him, wasn't it? That she invited me and I declined, not that she hadn't invited me at all.
"Change of plans," I said quickly. "How could I miss this?" I gestured around the ornate room. There must be a couple of hundred people here, enjoying each other's company and drinking my parents' champagne. Seeing and being seen. Making plans. Tolerating the company. Probably hoping to get one or both of my parents alone at some point
"You've never been one for parties," he said.
The fact was, I didn't mind parties. I didn't like being put on display like some kind of doll or a decoration that belonged on the wall or sitting on the top of a tree. I was no angel, that was for sure. Not a star either, unless we're referring to the pointy edges that'd cut you if you poked hard enough.
"Judge Cross," Dad greeted Forrest.
"Please, call me Forrest." He offered his hand.
"Benjamin." No one ever called him Ben. If anyone had, they might have ended up out in the ocean with weights on theirankles. Just a wild guess; they didn't call this place Saltgrave for nothing.
"I'm surprised you don't know each other," I said, looking from one man to the other.
"I know of him," my father said. "I don't believe we've officially met."
"We haven't," Forrest said. "It was past time we rectified that." He snagged a couple of glasses of champagne from a server who walked past with a tray, before handing one to me.
"There you go, sweetheart." At least he had a genuine smile for me.
"Thank you," I said, playing the part of meek girlfriend once again, only the gun pressing against my skin reminded me I was still a badass. I could use a bit of courage right now though.
I took a sip that was a little too big and went down the wrong hole.
Forrest placed a hand on my back and rubbed it gently while I coughed. "Are you all right?" he asked.
