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A delicious warm sensation rolls through me. “You’re not bad yourself.”
His gaze sweeps over me, his throat visibly working. “Let’s go before I change my mind about the party.”
“After how long it took me to get ready? Not a chance.”
13
Hunter
“Is that an ice sculpture?By the exotic fruits and appetizers?” Britney asks, tilting her head in the direction of the long, lavish buffet. Around us, people gather and stroll, and waitresses serve scotch and a variety of wines to the guests.
“Yes,” I answer. Our arrival at the party thirty minutes prior made me realize bringing her here was a good idea. I can look at the world through her untainted eyes, and it’s a lot more fun and positive.
“Cool. I’ll go take a couple of selfies by it and will be right back,” she says, kissing my cheek softly then sashaying to the direction of the buffet.
Mesmerized, I watch her, smiling to myself.
The way this blue dress fits her body sets my pulse skyrocketing each time I look at her.
“Hunter?” Clive, a tax attorney, says, coming close. “How are you?”
“Good, how are you?” I say, giving him a quick firm handshake.
“Not as good as you, obviously.” He discreetly points at Britney, snapping pictures by the over the top sculptures. “Have you joined those sugar daddy sites? I keep seeing ads for Sugar & Silk everywhere.”
A lump lodges in my throat. Since our arrival, my coworkers have been cordial, but I guess I should have counted a douchebag like Clive to come and spoil the fun. “No.”
“Then where did you meet her, if I may ask? She’s a bombshell.”
“She’s my girlfriend,” I say, with a possessiveness that elevates my body temperature. I don’t appreciate the hunger in his eyes as he looks at her.
He lifts his hands in mock surrender. “Sorry, man. Seems like she’s friendly too.” He cocks his head, and I look at Britney, who’s chatting with Dan and taking a picture with him.
“Dan’s a friend of hers. He happens to work at the firm.”
“Sure. And he’s also her age… but I love your confidence, man.”
“Clive, stop playing games. Why are you saying those things?” I never shit on his crappy dates. Couldn’t care less, really.
“Maybe she has some… female friends to introduce to me.”
I chuckle, thinking of Cat, Britney’s friend who couldn’t stand me when we met. She’d probably snarl at Clive, who, besides all his success, didn’t look attractive to most women of all ages. “I’ll let her know,” I say, just to end this awkward conversation.
He pats my back. “Thanks, man.”
I turn a few feet from him, and am about to head over to Britney when a group calls my name. I glance at Britney again, and she’s chatting with Dan. I wave at her, and she waves back. I’m here to shake hands, so I acquiesce and join the circle of lawyers who have just laughed at something the human resources director said.
I sigh. Networking is a bitch.
14
Britney
I gulpdown the glass of champagne a waiter just handed me not long ago. For the past ten minutes, I’ve been pretending to look at the impressionist paintings framing the walls. Dan had to go do something, and Hunter was in the middle of a lively group.
I want to stop hiding and go there, sneak up by his side, but what if everyone grows quiet when I join? What if they ask me questions I can’t answer just to make me feel inadequate?
Ever since we’ve arrived, I felt attention directed to me. Even feigned indifference. I don’t blame them—some of the women had to be friends with Sue, and here I am, younger and bolder, dating him. Do they know I slept with him while they were still married?
