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Unlike Mags. The woman might be rich in dollars, but when it came to kindness she was flat broke.
“Well, of course you think so. Eleanor was the one who took you in after your parents gallivanted off to another part of the world. I’ve always thought it would be wonderful to do whatever you wanted in life without worrying about consequences. If that’s what you’re doing with Gavin, honey, my blessings.” She waved a taloned hand. “Be careful, though. Consequences have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them.”
Hallie’s face grew hot as a dozen retorts piled up in her throat. Thankfully Gavin approached at that moment, two glasses in his hands.
“There he is! The life of the party. I’m glad to see you with a refill for this one.” Mags shot a thumb in Hallie’s direction. “She’s falling asleep. Liven her up.”
With that, she returned to her party, loudly commenting to someone as she went, and likely ruining their day, as well.
“I see she hasn’t changed a bit,” Gavin said with a headshake. “When is she going to realize that being famous and being infamous aren’t the same thing?”
He handed Hallie a glass of champagne and she swallowed a hearty gulp.
“You didn’t take whatever she said to heart, I hope.” He touched Hallie’s shoulder, concern evident on his face.
Tears burned the backs of her eyes. “You didn’t hear everything she said.”
“I can imagine. Every word rolling off her forked tongue is thoughtless and mean.”
True. Mags probably hadn’t given much thought to the things she said. But what she’d said to Hallie held an undeniable nugget of truth. Hallie’s parents had gallivanted off to another part of the world, leaving Hannah and Hallie to be raised by Eleanor. And Gavin was the life of the party.
Who did Hallie think she was, trying to convince herself she was a fun, rule-breaking maven? Had she been trying on a new personality, like the red gown, to see if it fit? Mags had seen through Hallie easily. Hallie knew deep down she and Gavin were an odd couple, which was why Mags’s pointing it out hurt so much.
If it was obvious to Mags that Gavin and Hallie didn’t belong together, it was probably obvious to a lot of other people, too. For all her shortcomings, Mags Dumond had told Hallie the truth. Hallie knew she wasn’t supposed to care what other people thought, but part of her did. She and Gavin were cut from two very different cloths—his vibrant red, and hers boring beige. She had been playing a part by wearing this dress and showing up on his arm tonight. Who did she think she was trying to pass herself off as carefree?
“I’m tired,” she said, and wasn’t that the truth. She was absolutely beat.
“Okay, well, we can leave.” Her handsome, accommodating date cupped her elbow with one hand. “If you’re sure you’re ready.”
“I’m sure. It’s been a long day and this party has been particularly draining. I’ve talked about myself enough to last two lifetimes.”
They said quick goodbyes to her sister and friends and his brothers. Thankfully, no one guilted them into staying for one more drink. Once they were on the road, Gavin turned toward his own house instead of hers.
“Where are we going?”
“My place. I have a hot tub with your name on it.”
“I’m better off alone.” She hated how true that sounded. She was used to being alone, to handling emotional pitfalls by herself. As much as she wanted to lean on him, it seemed foolish to get used to his being around.
“I respect that, Hals, I do. But you can be alone at my house. I’m not taking you home when you don’t feel well. I hate the idea of you there without me.”
“That’s...actually really thoughtful,” she admitted.
He gripped her hand. “Don’t start that rumor, whatever you do. You’ll ruin my cutthroat-lawyer reputation.”
She was too tired to laugh, but she did spare him a smile. He wasn’t the problem tonight. Maybe she had taken what Mags said personally. Maybe she’d wake after a good night’s sleep in Gavin’s arms and feel completely refreshed.
Back at his house, they stripped out of their evening attire and stepped onto the balcony overlooking the private lake. The wind was crisp, but the water in the hot tub was warm and silky. She eased into the bubbles and took her first full breath in hours.
“You sound better already.” He smiled, relaxed as per his usual. “Come here.”
She slipped through the water and he pulled her onto his lap.
“Do you feel better, too?” His arms cradling her, he kissed her temple.
“Much.”
“Told you.”
