Page 13 of Make No Mistake

Five

I was silently thankingAubrey and my aunt for getting me this dress. Nothing in my closet could have been worn here. My nicest dress would look like a bathing suit cover up compared to the couture in this room.

We were in the ballroom of a chic hotel in Beverly Hills surrounded by the who’s who of society. I did a quick glance around the room and saw three starlets, the California governor, and half of the Lakers basketball team. All dressed and styled impeccably.

Jay offered his arm and I took it gratefully. “Take a breath. You look like you’re about to faint.”

I followed his advice and leaned into him and whisper-yelled, “This is insane!”

His body shook with his silent laughter.

“I’m serious, Jay. I don’t belong here.” I looked to my left and tripped over my own feet when I saw the star of a movie I had just seen the week before. This wasn’t real life. These people belonged on TV and movie screens not in the same room as me!

“They’re just people too.” He always seemed to know what I was thinking, but that didn’t change the fact that I was a normal college student surrounded by actors, models, and millionaires.

“You look so beautiful, Mckayla, they’re looking at you in envy.” He nodded in the direction of a group of women my age that were staring at us. One seemed to be checking out my dress, and the other my date. They didn’t seem threatening or judging, just appraising. Like they appreciated what they saw.

I smiled shyly and took Jay’s hand. He led me toward the center of the room where a large group had gathered. I was trying to figure out what we were headed toward when a distinct voice drifted above the crowd, making me cringe. He must have wanted to get this part of out the way early.

The crowd parted as Jay weaved deeper toward his father, leaving us exposed to him and his plastic girlfriend.

“James, there you are. I was beginning to think you’d forgotten.” I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Jay hated his given name, intensely, and of course his dad knew that. He must not be pleased we weren’t on time for the start of cocktail hour.

“Hello.” He nodded to his dad but made no move for a hug or even a handshake. “Hello, Christina.” He leaned down and gave his father’s date a kiss on the cheek.

When he stepped back next to me, I turned my head next to his and whispered, “I already forgot. Wife or girlfriend?” I needed an answer in the next few seconds before she greeted me.

Jay’s face reddened like he was trying to hold his breath, or laughter. “Wife,” he whispered the answer and rubbed his hand along his jaw, looking amused.

“Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker, so nice to see you both.” I plastered on my parent-approved smile and offered my hand.

Jack surprised me, and I’m sure everyone around us, when he stepped forward and pulled me into a hug. “My, my Ms. Mckayla, you’re just gorgeous. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. James must be trying to keep you hidden away.” He winked. “He’s been selfish keeping you to himself.”

I was frozen in shock. He’d never, ever addressed me in public, let alone hit on me!

I made sure my smile never faltered and thanked him, because what else were you supposed to do in that situation, and turned to his wife.

We did the air kiss routine, and I backed up against Jay, not on accident. I felt his hands slide over my hips and rest at my waist. Knowing he was near me and staking some sort of claim was the only thing keeping me running away from these people.

“Mckayla, darling, so good to see you!” Her overly-Botoxed face barely budged when she spoke. I was surprised she remembered me. We’d only met once, and it was back when she frequented the covers of magazines. A lot had changed in two years.

I found Jay’s hand and gave a quick squeeze. I didn’t know how to handle this situation.

“Good to see you, Christina. We’re going to make the rounds, but we’ll be sure to say bye before we leave.”

“Of course, darlings!”

Jay turned and pulled me with him. “She’s two years older than us. She can’t call us darlings.”