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A waiter offered us champagne or cider, but Abel and I declined.
Several sorority girls I’d pledged with came by, and we chatted while Abel spoke with a fellow senior I’d never met before. Kailey and Ella scooped in behind me, and Kailey wrapped me in a big hug.
“You look gorgeous. New dress?” Kailey spun me around.
Laughing, I tried not to fall from my heels, which I still hadn’t grown accustomed to. “Yes, this was Abel’s trip. This morning, we went shopping, and he bought me a whole new wardrobe.”
“You bitch! You didn’t take me. I’m your shopping guru.” Kailey pouted.
“It wasn’t planned. I had no idea until we arrived. Blame Abel for not including you.”
She threw her hair over her shoulder, tipped her head, and rolled her eyes. “No, you had a Pretty Woman moment with your guy. How can I be too mad about it?”
Abel started chuckling and ran his hand along my spine, then subtly patted my butt a couple of times while never stopping his discussion with the other guy.
What was up with everybody and the Pretty Woman references? I couldn’t decide if I should be amused or insulted at them.
The waiter from before came around again and offered everybody a glass. Kailey took a champagne while Ella took a sparkling cider, I declined the one he handed me.
“Ladies, you both look beautiful.” Kailey had the poise from her high-class upbringing and radiated beauty as always, while Ella had the adorable, sexy little kitten thing going on with her evening dress.
“Thank you,” Ella said bashfully, and her discomfort emanated in how she struggled to maintain eye contact and stayed close to Kailey and me. Typically, I held the title for the most awkward, but Ella took the prize. Kailey, our little group’s clear extrovert, made sure neither of us were left out and introduced all her sorority sisters to Ella.
We girls chatted, and Ella’s lukewarm but kind attitude made me want to talk with her because something had been off for so long that I worried it hindered our growing friendship.
Kailey took over the conversation, ensuring no discomforting lags progressed, and mentioned how late Ella ran to get ready since Kailey invited her yesterday as her plus one.
Ella’s social smile was strained. “The roommate from hell struck again. I swear she has a screw loose. Ten years from now, I wouldn’t be surprised to find her face on Dateline as a Black Widow or something. She constantly locks me out and invades my space. I put my chair in front of my bedroom door every night to make sure it stays closed or at least to give me some warning. She also keeps yelling at me for eating her food when I haven’t touched a morsel of anything she owns since I moved in. She’s a nightmare I can’t ever wake from.”
Ella had always had a problem with her roommate since I’d first met her, and I hated how much trouble she had with her. It explained why she had been distant. I didn’t know it was so bad with her roommate. Without thinking, I said, “Why don’t you come and stay in Kailey’s old bed for a few nights? It’s not like it’s being used. The school never did give me a new roommate. Plus, I’m not there all the time anyway.”
Kailey wiggled her brows. “Of course you’re not.”
Bumping her shoulder with mine, I blushed at the suggestive display. However, when I looked at Ella, she didn’t appear as excited about the idea as I did. I stared at her, but she didn’t meet my gaze.
Before I asked her what she thought about my idea, Abel wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his chest. “Baby, come on. We need to mingle.”
With a quick parting, Abel swept me away. “Sorry I talked with Hunter for so long, but he’s the son of the NRA president, and I had several questions for him.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I watched Ella as she kept her eye on Abel. When she caught my gaze, she gave me a one-sided smile and joined Kailey in a conversation. I didn’t have time to ponder her reaction when I got introduced to a couple of other people. Abel happily mentioned one was the district attorney’s daughter and the other a son of a sitting senator.
“How’s your mother’s term going as senator? Didn’t you mention she thought about running for governor? Is that still the plan?”
The questions coming from Abel shook me. Was this what people like Malum students discussed at functions like this? If so, I was well out of the loop.
Gradually, we moved along and met a few other people, sons and daughters of prominent people who held much influence in governing our country and negotiating with other countries.
“Hartford, my man. How’s it going?” A tall guy with blond hair and a clean-shaven face reached out and shook Abel’s hand.
“Wellington, good to see you.” Abel flashed a big grin. “I want you to meet my girlfriend, Chantilla Montgomery. Chan, this is Tucker Wellington.”
“Hello, Miss Montgomery. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard great things about you.” He shook my hand, and a twinge tickled in my bones. My instincts were telling me this man needed to be watched. The air around him exuded power. “You must be a remarkable woman to stay with this guy right here.”
We chuckled politely in response.
Abel and Tucker chatted about locations in several parts of the country. I watched them closely, especially Abel, and everything came together for me. This party was nothing but a calculated move. Everybody Abel had been chatting with and introducing me to were ways for him to advance.
“Call me next week, Hartford, after you review the proposals. Miss Montgomery, a pleasure.”
