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“You make it sound like the whole room is a big pile of insecurity.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Including you?” she asked, although she couldn’t imagine Stuart ever having a reason to be insecure.
“I’ve had my moments. Hard not to when you’re raised by Theodore Duchenko.” His eyes looked down at the glass in his hand, studying the contents. “My grandfather would make anyone feel insecure. He was what you’d call ‘larger than life.’”
She was beginning to think life under Theodore Duchenko wasn’t much of a picnic. “And step-grandma?”
A shadow crossed his features. It might have been a shadow from one of the people in the crowd, but Patience couldn’t be sure. Whatever it was, the passing left his expression darker than before. “Gloria is a case unto herself.”
What did that mean? Before she could ask, he was steering her toward a group of tables lining the side wall on which were displayed a collection of wrapped baskets, photographs and other items. “The infamous silent auction,” Stuart announced. “Everything a person couldn’t want, dutifully accompanied by a heaping serving of guilt.” He pointed to an easel next to the table where a large poster sat. Above the photograph of a big black Labrador, a caption read, “He’s got so much love to give; if only someone would love him back.” The dog’s big brown eyes grabbed Patience’s heart and squeezed.
“Admit it,” Stuart said. “You want to adopt a puppy now, don’t you. Or at least bid on a membership to the wine-of-the-month club.” Patience took a long drink from her glass. The puppy and the wine weren’t the only things she wanted and couldn’t have.
The two of them spent time reviewing the various items up for auction, with Stuart predicting how much he thought the final bid would be for each one. Despite his sarcastic commentary, he too bid on a few items, including a customized kitty tree for Nigel and, to Patience’s surprise, a braided gold bracelet. “This is for Ana right?” she teased. “Because I’m not sure your assistant’s husband would like you giving his wife jewelry.”
“Who says I wasn’t planning to give the bracelet to you?”
She laughed. Wistful quivers aside, that was hardly likely. “Exactly what you give the girl you don’t trust.”
“You don’t think I would?”
“I think...” His eyes dared her to believe his offer. “I hope you’re joking,” she said.
“You’re not into expensive jewelry?”
Not if it came with strings attached, and that was the only kind of expensive jewelry she knew of. “I think Ana would enjoy the gift more.”
There was something very off-putting about the way he reacted to her response. Rather than laugh or look disappointed, he gave her one of those soul-searching stares.
She was about to ask him if she’d said something wrong when Ethyl Calloway reappeared with a silver-haired gentleman behind her. “This is Bernard Jenkins from WZYV,” she said, stepping in front of Patience—again. “He’s emceeing tonight’s award presentation. Since you’re accepting Anastasia’s award, I thought you two should meet.”
On the emcee’s arm was the most statuesque blonde Patience had ever seen without a stripper pole.
The woman introduced herself as a Natalie Something. “We met last year at the bar’s program on the revised probate laws,” she said, pumping Stuart’s hand with enthusiasm.
“That’s right,” Stuart replied. “You’re with Ropes Prescott. Good to see you again.”
The conversation moved into a mishmash of names and companies Patience didn’t know. She could see why Bernard became a deejay. The man knew how to talk. And talk. Patience put on a pretend smile and used the time to examine the lovely Natalie. Her little black dress was current. In fact, Patience was pretty sure she’d seen a picture of the dress in a fashion magazine last month. The woman knew all the “in” jokes too. Every time she laughed, she would toss her mane of blond curls and let her fingers linger on Stuart’s jacket sleeve. Patience squeezed her glass. She’d wanted to know what kind of woman Stuart would date. She had a pretty good idea now. Her stomach soured.
Meanwhile, Bernard Jenkins gave her a wink.
“Excuse me,” she murmured. Without bothering to see if anyone heard her, she slipped away in search of a few quiet moments in the ladies’ room. The draped tables used for guest check-in were empty save for a solo volunteer who was packing unused papers into a box. She smiled as Patience walked by, the first smile she’d received outside of Stuart’s all night.
