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The other has dark hair cut close to his head. His wire-framed glasses are the perfect complement to his square jaw and high cheekbones.
“Good god. Are all the men beautiful?” Ames smiles like a fox in a henhouse. “Never mind about grabbing me. I think I’ll be perfectly fine if you leave me here.”
Just as she says that, the man with blond, shoulder-length hair turns to glance down at us as they reach the top of the stairs.
He bumps his shoulder with his friend and angles his head toward us, both slanting a look our direction before they stalk off down a hall.
Great, I think. Ames will eat those men alive if they’re not careful.
“I mean it,” I remind her. “Behave. We’re not staying long.”
“I will, even if it ruins all my fun.”
“You’ll have enough fun at the club tonight,” I answer, my eyes scanning the foyer.
Unfortunately, Governor Callahan isn’t in the immediate vicinity, so I’ll have to walk around to find him.
“Try to stay where I can find you. No sneaking off with beautiful men.”
“No promises,” she says with a wink.
Laughing, I shake my head and walk off to make my way through the house in search for Governor Callahan, my eyes scanning small groupings of people.
Not finding him inside, I walk out back, stopping in place for only a brief moment to admire the grounds.
White tents are placed sporadically throughout the large backyard, the trees strung with lights that glimmer like stars.
Soft music carries on the wind, and as I step out farther, I notice the man I’d seen arriving earlier walking toward me, his date in her gorgeous ombré gown beside him.
She doesn’t look happy to be here, her expression tight as she glances over her shoulder.
Following her line of sight, I spot Ivy in the distance, her face pale where she links an arm with a red-haired woman.
As the man and his date pass, he scans me with dark green eyes, a chill running down my spine. For what reason, I’m not entirely sure. I get the sense he’s not one to mess with, not that I have time to play around with arrogant jerks. School keeps me far too busy these days.
A few quick steps and I’m off the back patio, weaving a slow trail through the crowd. A hand touches my shoulder, and I spin to see Governor Callahan staring down at me.
“Brinley. I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
I glance around, my cheeks heating because I’ve crashed his party.
“I’m sorry. I was supposed to be here yesterday, but—”
“It’s not a problem at all,” he grins, the practiced expression charming.
It’s impossible to deny that Governor Callahan is a good-looking man, but also gross when considering he’s the same age as my father. Still, his dark hair is full for his age, his body fit.
“Come inside,” he says, his hand closing over my elbow. “We’ll go up to my office to talk.”
Led inside, I search the room for Ames to make sure she hasn’t run off with one of the many beautiful men wandering around the mansion.
We reach the base of the stairs before I finally spot her leaning against a wall with a glass of champagne in hand, a mischievous glimmer in her eye as she smirks at a passing couple.
People can’t help but stare in her direction, not that Ames is unaccustomed to the attention.
Even Governor Callahan notices her.
His eyes are locked on her as we climb the first step.
