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Travis looked at me, and I could see a hint of a smile on his face as well. He nodded to the man next to him. “This is Brandon,” he said. “Brandon, this is my assistant, Molly Malone, and her best friend, Poppy.”
“Nice to meet you,” Brandon said. His green eyes barely glanced at myself and Poppy as he nodded.
He didn’t hold out his hand, either, and I wondered what his deal was. He was a really attractive guy with dark hair and hazel-brown eyes. He looked to be very thoughtful.
“Nice to meet you, Brandon,” Poppy said, beaming at him.
His eyes flickered to her face for a couple of seconds, and he nodded. I looked over at Poppy, who gave me a look.
“What’s his problem?” she mouthed.
I shrugged. “Hi, Pascal,” I said, looking at the model-turned-actress. She looked me up and down, her eyes registering the designer dress I was wearing. Then she looked at Poppy, and her eyes widened even more.
“Well, well, well,” she said, “the ugly stepsisters are ready for the ball.”
I bit down on my lower lip to stop myself from responding, but Poppy spoke up. “We’re the ugly stepsisters?” she said, laughing as she stared at Pascal and her friends. “I think you’re mistaken there.”
“I don’t think so,” Pascal said, tossing her long blond hair over her shoulders. “I’m Cinderella, and you two are my…” She laughed daintily. “Helpers.”
“Helpers?” I said. “Now what exactly are we supposed to be helping you with?”
“Anything I want. You are Travis’s assistant, are you not?”
“Yeah, I am his assistant. But what’s that got to do with you?”
“Well, I’m his guest, so if I’m in need of anything, you should be the one to help me.”
I looked over at Travis, and he nodded slowly. I couldn’t believe it. “I mean, that is true, Ms. Malone. You are working tonight, are you not?”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
I knew that this was what I wanted. I wanted him to treat me as the help so that no one would get suspicious. But the fact he was agreeing with Pascal and her condescension just irked me.
“Is there anything you’d like, madam?” I said to Pascal, my lips pressed together.
“I would like some champagne, but I’d fear you’d get me some cheap plonk.” She stared at me for a couple of seconds.
“Mr. Covington, do I have time to go and get madam some champagne?”
“No.” He shook his head. “The cars are waiting outside for us.” He looked over at Pascal. “You know Expo will have all of the finest champagne and alcohol. You can wait till we get to the party, can’t you, Pascal?”
“I guess so, Travis. Do say I’m sitting in your limo. We haven’t had time to catch up yet, and well, I’ve missed you, big boy.”
I turned to look at Poppy, who was rolling her eyes at me. “She’s the biggest bitch I’ve ever met in my life,” Poppy said under her breath, and I grinned at her.
“Don’t let her hear you say that.”
“I don’t care,” Poppy said, though I noticed she lowered her voice a bit more.
“Come on, everyone, let’s go.” Travis ushered everyone toward the front of the hotel. He walked slowly and stopped next to me. “Hey, are you okay?” he said.
“I’m fine, sir. Thank you for asking.” I continued to look straight.
“You’re not mad at me, are you, Molly?” he asked, and I glanced up at him.
“Why would I be mad at you, Mr. Covington?”
“You wanted me to treat you like my assistant, and the fact of the matter is Pascal was right. My assistant would ensure that my guests are taken care of.”
