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The charity gala was in conjunction with Lubbock Volunteer, an organization dedicated to helping those in need right here at home. Ashleigh was on their board—she sat on a dozen all around town so that she would be invited to every major event—and had helped plan this one. When she’d had it in the works, she had considered how best to help the vineyard—or so she’d said. She’d invited everyone who was everyone in wine to be involved. It still amazed me that she had been doing this kind of thing while at the same time trying to tank the winery. It was like she had a contingency to every plan. I didn’t know who she’d really been the whole time we were together.
I valeted the car and then helped Jennifer up the walkway and into the venue. Her breath caught at the interior of the gorgeous, new concert hall. I’d been to locations like this all over the Pacific Northwest, and even I had to admit that this was picturesque. Nothing else like it. The Wrights were bringing class to this burgeoning town.
“It’s amazing,” Jennifer whispered.
“Jordan really outdid himself.”
“He really did. Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I can’t believe this exists in Lubbock.”
We passed through to the main part of the hall. Three tiers of balconies overlooked the main stage. The curtains were closed, and a projector displayed the Lubbock Volunteer logo against the heavy drapery. Circular tables filled the perimeter, and an open space for dancing was already occupied by many of the guests. Twinkling lights made it look as if we were open to the cosmos.
Everything was glamorous and sophisticated. It almost felt like being back home in Vancouver. Jordan was the one who had been the face of the company with Dad and attended most of these sorts of events. I’d never had any real interest even though I’d worked there for several years right out of college. It hadn’t been my passion. Not like the vineyard was. I’d gone to events with Ashleigh, but it had always been a chore. I’d forgotten how much fun it could be.
“Well, well, well, look who showed,” Ashleigh said, materializing before us.
I wanted to clench my jaw, but I didn’t. I stayed as calm as I could. This was why we were here to begin with. This was why I’d asked Jen for a fake date. I had to deal with Ashleigh today, and that meant putting on a happy face and not pissing her off. I didn’t put it past her to sabotage this distribution agreement if she was pissy.
“Evening, Ashleigh,” I said politely.
Her eyes crawled my body. She loved when I dressed up.
She stepped forward, tugging slightly on the collar of my jacket. “This is new.”
Jennifer stiffened next to me.
I took a step out of her reach. “It is.”
“Well, what do you think?” she asked, unperturbed. She twirled in a circle. She’d gone all out in a pink silk number that flowed over her like water. It was a great dress. Too bad it was on a such a terrible person.
“I think it’s lovely,” Jennifer said before I could respond.
I glanced at her, but she was just smiling.
Ashleigh’s eyes narrowed. She’d been trying to pretend that Jen wasn’t there. “Don’t you clean up nicely?”
Jen’s smile widened. “I could say the same thing about you.”
Ashleigh arched an eyebrow. “Look who got some teeth.”
I was just as surprised that Jennifer was even talking to Ashleigh. Last time we’d seen her, she’d frozen up and then run out of the room. Was the difference that we were dating?
Jennifer shrugged. “No reason to be catty. We’re all here to have a good time.”
Ashleigh looked like she wanted to say something else with venom, but I stepped between them.
“We’re going to go get drinks. Have a nice evening.”
“I planned to introduce you around,” she said. “But if you’d rather play with your pet, then…”
“Ashleigh, can we just have a civilized night?”
She clenched her tiny little clutch until her knuckles went white. “Can we speak in private?”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to do this, but I worried if I didn’t have this out with her now, then the entire night, she’d hound us with her bullshit.
My eyes swept to Jennifer. “Will you be all right?”
“I’ll get in line for drinks,” she said easily.
She had her hands clasped together, but I could still see them shaking a little. She didn’t like this, and I hated putting her in an uncomfortable position.
“It’ll just be a minute,” I promised.
Then she did something that I never anticipated. She reached up onto her tiptoes and brought her lips to mine. It wasn’t a long kiss. Nothing more than that one perfect press together. But she looked up at me with such intimacy that my entire being shifted toward her.
