Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
She laughs. “You mean my audacity?”
“Laurie, audacity is often required to get ahead in any area. I’m pretty audacious myself when it comes to business.” And other things, but that’s none of her concern.
“I had to try. Are you enjoying the gala?”
“I am,” I say. “I may make a few bids.”
“One of our senior partners, Jack Carter, is on the MADD board, but he had a family emergency earlier.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes. One of his kids was in a car accident, but she’s just scraped up a little.”
“Good to know.”
“That’s why I’m here. I’ve been his associate for the past five years, and he asked me to come in his place.”
“Lucky you.”
She smiles. “I enjoy dressing up and getting wined and dined. After working seventy hours a week, it’s a nice break.”
Laurie Simms is quite beautiful. Tall, with honey-blond hair in a loose knot, blue eyes, and fair skin. Another time and place, I’d probably consider seeing her outside of business.
But I only have eyes for Skye Manning tonight.
“Did you bring anyone to the gala?” she asks.
I clear my throat. Not technically, but, “Yes, she’s in the ladies’ room. Skye Manning.”
Laurie cocks her head. “That name sounds vaguely familiar to me.”
“She works for Addison Ames.”
“Right!” Recognition dawns on Laurie’s pretty face. “Her assistant. I remember now. Addie and I have lunch from time to time.”
“Oh?” Clearly Addison never mentioned her past with me to Laurie. Good thing.
“Yeah. I interned with Brock Ames when I was in law school. I worked in the legal department for the hotel chain.”
“How did you end up with Carter and Amos?”
“Actually, I—”
I stop listening.
Skye and Tessa have reentered the ballroom and are only a few feet away from the table.
And Skye’s jaw is dropped open.
Chapter Eighteen
Tessa drops her purse on the table and heads to the dance floor while Skye brings her jaw back in place, returns to the table, and smiles. It’s a fake smile, though. She’s jealous. Jealous that I’m sitting with another woman.
Nice. I don’t mind a little jealousy. Not at all.
I stand. “Skye, meet Laurie Simms.”
Skye holds out her hand and glues on the smile once more. “Skye Manning.”
Laurie takes Skye’s hand and gives it a strong shake. “Braden was just telling me about you. You work for Addison Ames?”
“I do.”
“She’s a doll,” Laurie says.
I resist an eye roll. “Doll” is not a word I’d use to describe Addison Ames.
“Please have a seat,” Laurie continues.
Except Laurie is sitting in the seat Skye vacated only minutes ago. I hold out the chair on my other side, and she sits. The extra bourbon I brought for her is within reach. She grabs it.
“Addie and I go way back,” Laurie says. “I used to work for her father.”
“Oh?” Skye says. “What do you do?”
“I’m an attorney.” She slides a card toward Skye.
Nicely done. Skye probably has no need for a corporate attorney, but Laurie’s thinking bigger. She’s getting her name out everywhere she can. I admire that.
“I interned with Brock Ames when I was in law school,” Laurie continues. “He got me set up with my current firm.”
“So how do you two know each other?” Skye asks sweetly.
“We don’t, actually,” I say.
“Oh?”
“Shameless self-promotion.” Laurie smiles. “Of course I recognized Braden and had to come introduce myself.”
“As I said, Ms. Simms, I’m happy with my current representation.”
She stands. “Can’t blame a girl for trying. Nice to meet you, Skye.”
“You too.” She smiles back. This time it seems more genuine.
Skye has a beautiful smile. Her whole face lights up, and her lips… I resist the urge to cup her cheek right here in the middle of the MADD Gala.
“Thanks,” I say.
“For what?”
“For getting back here. Seemed like you were gone forever. When I’m alone, people pounce. Laurie is the umpteenth person who came up to me while you were gone.”
“Were the others beautiful females as well?”
I smile. “Does it matter?”
She looks at her drink. “I suppose not.”
“One was Peter Reardon. Apparently he was waiting outside the ballroom, and when he saw you and Tessa leave, he came back in and sought me out. He apologized for dancing with you.”
“Oh, for God’s sake. That’s ridiculous. He had a perfect right to dance with me. I enjoyed his company.”
“I’m sure he enjoyed yours as well. He just didn’t know you were with me.”
“I wasn’t with you.”
“You are now, and I aim to keep it that way.”
She squirms in her chair. I can’t tell if she’s angry or turned on by my comment. Most likely both, which is exactly what I was hoping for.
“Have you thought any more about coming back to my bed?” I ask.
“I don’t want to talk about that here,” she says.
“Why?”
“Why? Because we’re nearly screaming at each other to be heard above the band.”
She’s exaggerating a bit, but I’ll indulge her. “Let’s go out to the lobby, then.”