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In his career, image was important, Brian had often told her. It was the main reason he went to these parties—to project a good vibe, hobnob with connections who might be valuable later. And as his date, her behavior and appearance were a reflection on him.
Yes, the more she thought about it, the more it seemed best to skip the party altogether. Just as the conviction settled into her mind, Brian arrived in the doorway, tugging on his navy bowtie and whistling a catchy tune. His eyes gleamed when he saw her.
“Hey, baby.” He sidled up to her and grinned. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he looked her up and down. “Wow. You sure look hot tonight. That color suits you, all right.” Without waiting for a response, he leaned forward and kissed her on the neck, snuggling her into his chest.
“Thank you.” His words didn’t leave Addisyn glowing and giddy, the way they once would have. Why couldn’t Brian compliment her every now and then on something besides her appearance? A feisty surge of irritation surprised her.
But she couldn’t waste this opportunity. Now was the time to ask—while he was in such a good mood and happy with her. Addisyn took a deep breath.Here goes!“Brian, could we—well—would you mind if I stayed home tonight?” Seeing his frown, she rushed her next words. “I mean, you could still go, of course. I wouldn’t mind. I just—just don’t want to go out right now.”
With a grimace, Brian pulled his arms from around her waist and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his Calvin Klein suit. “Look, baby, I know you’re still upset over the competition and all, but don’t you think a night out might help you?” His voice changed, the way it always did when he was pleading with her—forsaking the annoyance and taking on a cajoling tone. “I don’t want to go all by myself. No fun that way.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Anyway...” he reached for her hands, lacing his fingers through hers and tugging her closer to him. “It doesn’t look right, us not going together. Makes people talk.” His breath on her face smelled like mint. “Come on, baby, you know how people talk.”
“But, Brian—”Never mind.Addisyn clamped her mouth shut. Any protest would only put him in a foul mood. “All right.” She nodded meekly. “I’ll go.”
“That’s my girl.” A satisfied grin spread over Brian’s face. “Ready?”
Without another word Addisyn took Brian’s arm and prepared to follow him outside. Time to put her smile on and be Brian Felding’s girl.
THE ROOM WASmuch too warm. Addisyn took a deep breath, trying to find fresh air somewhere that wasn’t suffocatingly heavy with the aromas of cologne and champagne.
She glanced at the stylish mirrored clock on the wall. She’d been there for half an hour, with probably another two hours to go. The thought of spending another two minutes at the party, never mind two hours, made her feel as if she might scream.
She’d spent the time since she’d arrived gliding across the room attached to Brian’s arm, mingling with the other distinguished guests. Like a parrot, she’d said every perfect thing to every perfect person and somehow said nothing at all. Now Brian had excused himself to look for a colleague, and she’d immediately sought refuge in the shadows created by the potted palm in the corner. Finally, a moment of relief from the mental exertion of maintaining her mask.
It was hard to believe now that there had ever been a time when she’d found these parties wonderful—the height of excitement and enjoyment. But she had, when Brian had first ushered her into his world. The glitz and splendor had been intoxicating to a girl who’d grown up poor on New York’s Lower East Side. She had felt like a princess come home to the enchanted castle—introduced to a life she could have only dreamed of while she pinched pennies with Avery in a one-bedroom flat. She’d been impressed by Brian’s affluent, successful friends, captivated by their luxurious surroundings, and thrilled with the rush and twinkle of social life.
Of course, she’d also been fascinated by Brian himself. Maybe it was the glitter and glamor of being in love that had made everything else so titillating—and maybe everything was fading now because her hypnosis with Brian was waning, a candle burning ever and ever dimmer.
Guilt over her recent irritation with Brian heated her cheeks. He loved her, that’s what he said. He claimed she just had unrealistic expectations. Which could be true. After all, she couldn’t explain why his caresses had begun to annoy her. And was it very kind or realistic of her to expect him to forgo his dinner plans just because she was upset? Maybe she was being too hard on him.
And Brian was such a wonderful guy, most of the time. Sure, he lost his temper some, but apart from that, he was impeccably charming. And he was as devoted to her career as she was. She reminded herself that she’d be nowhere if not for his patient tutelage and support.
Perhaps none of this was Brian’s fault—just a natural reaction to the letdown of Sectionals. Given the stresses they’d both been under, it was no wonder their relationship was tense. For crying out loud, she’d probably been pretty hard to live with herself for the last few weeks.
Yes, that was all. Addisyn stepped out from behind the palm with a renewed determination to give her boyfriend the benefit of the doubt. She needed to find him and be with him. He was probably wondering where she was. Addisyn glanced around the room and finally spotted Brian talking to a few other men. She edged her way through the couples until she was close enough to hear their conversation.
“...one of the best in the field,” Brian was saying. He nodded seriously at the other man. “Definitely, if you can get her case, take it.”
“I’m just not sure about the opportunity cost.” The man rubbed his chin. “I have a full caseload already, so...”
Brian never looked around. Addisyn waited a few moments and then turned away. They were engulfed in the business conversation, and evidently her disappearance wasn’t bothering Brian in the least. Annoyed, she made her way through the room, weaving among the tables covered with dainty white tablecloths.
The weight of disappointment flattened her own defense of Brian’s character like the flimsy barricade it was, powerless against the rush of strong emotions. Really, it had been downright inconsiderate of him to insist on going to this party tonight. Never giving her feelings any priority. Only focused on what he wanted. Addisyn was no expert on happy couples—goodness knew her mom and dad hadn’t given her any role models—but still, even she figured that a good partnership required some give-and-take from both sides.
Instead, she was doing the giving, while Brian enjoyed the taking. Like tonight. She didn’t want to be at this party. Certainly not. Yet here she was, plastered against the wall, waiting for her wonderful boyfriend to notice she wasn’t around.
All of this was too much to try to ponder right now, when the room was full of chattering elegant people. Addisyn drifted over to the table of hors d’oeuvres, an elegant arrangement complete with effervescent puffs of red tulle and live flowers. An array of alcoholic beverages sat nearby, some already poured into glasses. Addisyn glanced at the labels—cabernet, bourbon, pinot noir, champagne. She didn’t drink, except at dinners or parties like this one—Brian had always told her that waiting until twenty-one to drink was a senseless formality, as long as you didn’t overdo it, but she still had reservations. Residual outdated morality from Avery, probably. But tonight she needed something to help her survive this ordeal. She selected a glass of the champagne and took a pungent sip as she glanced around the room.
Perfectly paired couples dotted the grey-veined marble floor, talking and laughing in the stringently choreographed dance of social etiquette. Occasionally a man’s hearty voice or a woman’s rippling titter would rise above the general murmur of conversation. In the far corner, a chamber quartet provided a soothing string number while a handful of couples danced slowly.
For a moment, Addisyn experienced a surge of insecurity, strong enough that she glanced down at herself, with the sinking fear that she had been so distracted by her emotional turmoil that she’d neglected some aspect of her personal appearance. No, on the outside, she looked impeccable—flawless makeup, beautifully tailored dress, glistening stiletto heels.
It was more about her heart than her body, a sudden weariness of this life of the rich and famous, a floundering feeling that she didn’t belong. Like a tap on the shoulder from a voice inside her spirit. Deep inside, where a girl had once lived who was radically different from the Addisyn of today.
Stop it!Why was she having such troubled feelings tonight? What a rollercoaster her mind was! At a Valentine’s party to boot. Addisyn sighed and took another sip from her glass.
“Miss Miles?” A voice sent her ramshackle thoughts scattering in all directions. Startled, Addisyn turned to see an older gentleman standing at her elbow. His neatly combed silver hair reminded her of an old silent film star, but the lines about his eyes seemed less than open. Immediately she donned her most charming smile—more out of habit than anything else. “Yes, sir?”
He held out his hand, and she quickly switched her glass of champagne to the other hand so she could daintily offer her fingertips. “I’m Martin Moorehouse, Marty Moorehouse, they call me. I heard you were looking for a new job, and I think I just might be able to offer you one.” The man smiled in a pleasant, grandfatherly way. As though he expected her to be overjoyed by this news.
