Page 103 of What About Us

The answers are always the same: I’m great, and Only time will tell.

It’s a diplomatic answer.

“And who is your gorgeous date?” the commentator from ESPN asks.

“This is Ivy, my girlfriend,” Xander replies, smiling down at me. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to get inside.”

Of course, we don’t get right inside because we’re stopped about six more times, but finally, I have a glass of champagne in my hand and we’re in the museum, which has been set up banquet-style with silent auction items along the perimeter and round tables for dinner spread out through three rooms. The flowers are gorgeous, and whoever the event planner was for this deserves a raise because the entire space is just stunning.

“Wow,” I murmur and glance up at my boyfriend.

Xander Hendrix is my boyfriend.

What alternate reality am I living in?

“It’s not bad,” Xander says with a nod, and I snort out a laugh.

“Right. Not bad. Yeah, okay.” I give his arm a squeeze, and that’s the last moment we get alone. He was right, players from all the professional sports are here, and it seems that I meet almost everyone. I’m a little starstruck, if I’m being honest. Because holy shit, that’s Nikola Jokić, who plays for the Nuggets, and I love the Nuggets.

He and his wife are both lovely, and then we move on to the next group of people to talk to.

Xander is charming. Quick to smile or joke, happy to pose for photos. And he never leaves me alone. He always has a hand on me or holds my hand, and it makes me feel . . . loved.

“Xander,” a blond woman says as she leans in to offer him a kiss on the cheek, but my man simply smiles at her and she flushes. “God, it’s been forever. You look so great. You’re not even limping!”

Ugh, I hate her.

“Does that mean you’ll be playing soon? It’s not the same to watch the games without you out there, you know.”

“I’ll be back sooner or later,” Xander says stiffly. “This is Ivy. My girlfriend.”

The woman’s eyes go round, and she swallows hard before offering me a fake smile.

“Oh, hello. I’m Bridget. So lovely to meet you.”

“Pleasure,” I reply with a nod.

“Well, I should just—” She leaves without finishing the sentence.

“So, just how many of your⁠—”

“Don’t even finish that question,” Xander mutters to me, and I smirk at him.

How many of his past hookups are here tonight?

“A warning would have been nice.” I shrug and snatch a fresh glass of champagne from a server. “But it’s fine.”

“Ivy—”

“Hendrix!”

“How are you holdin’ up, honey?” Britney asks as Xander is swept up in another conversation about the season and the fact that he’s not playing in it.

I hate this for him.

“I’m fine.” I grin at Brit, and she clinks her glass to mine. “It’s a lot of people.”

“No kidding. Hey, I really do want to introduce you to a few of the other girls, and I promise they’re all nice.” She waits for me to nod and then taps Xander on the shoulder. “I’m stealing her for a few, but she’ll be back.”