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After dinner, the guests dispersed to various rooms in the house—the music room, the front parlor, the Wingthorn Hall portrait gallery. The rain had picked up, and it beat hard against the roof and windows. People were going to be trapped at the house until the storm was over.
“Aphrodite,” Lia muttered on her way to the music room, “you are useless.”
“Watch out. She probably heard that.”
Lia spun around and found August walking behind her.
He grinned and caught up to her.
“Stop eavesdropping when I talk to myself,” she said. “It’s rude.”
“You were talking to Aphrodite.”
Lia glared at him. “Don’t be right when I want you to be wrong, please.”
He laughed, low and throaty.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“The music room.”
“May I join you?”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t.”
“I’ve offended you.” He didn’t look hurt by this realization. Lia was annoyed to find he looked rather pleased with himself. He leaned back against the wall, hands in his trouser pockets, looking the very picture of casual elegance.
“No, I just don’t like parties very much.”
“Why not?”
“The usual reasons. Strangers. Awkward chitchat.” She was the madam of an illegal escort agency, and her parents had unwittingly invited three of Lia’s escorts and half their client list.
“Let’s go and have some unawkward chitchat.” He nodded toward the morning room.
“I need to mingle,” she said. “Sorry.”
She turned away from him and started down the hall again, toward the music room. August, of course, walked right at her side.
“We need to talk.” His tone was no longer flippant and flirtatious. In fact, he sounded almost scared. “Please believe me when I say it’s important.”
“Leave your card with the butler,” she said. “My visiting day is the fifth Tuesday of every month.”
“We could be friends, Lia,” he said. “We have a lot in common, after all.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“You have wealthy, powerful parents. I have wealthy, powerful parents. You love Greek mythology. I eat, sleep and breathe Greek mythology. I’m handsome. You’re beautiful. We’re practically twins.”
“We are not amused.”
“Will you at least open your gift?” This man was determined. She gave him credit for that.
Lia looked at him. “Now?” This was her graduation party, not a child’s birthday party.
He nodded. “It’s nothing indecent, I promise. You’ll like it.”
“And you’ll stop flirting with me if I open it?”
