Reluctantly Yours(45)
“Twenty-five.”
“Well, I’m twenty-nine. So that’s done.” She threads her arm conspiratorially through mine and starts walking us around the room.
“When I heard Barrett was seriously dating someone, I was shocked. But now I’ve met you and it all makes sense.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. I appreciate the compliment but I also know there’s no truth behind it.
“So, bridal gowns? What made that your design focus?”
“I worked for DVF for a while, but every day wear wasn’t my thing. I love romance and what is more romantic than two people falling in love and getting married? I wanted to be part of that. I started Emma Belle Bridal last year and I’m planning to launch my full bridal line in Vegas next year.”
“That’s amazing.”
“Maybe you’ll be my first customer.” She lifts her dark brows knowingly.
I laugh at the notion that I could be getting married in a year. To Barrett. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“I’d love to beat you to it, but my boyfriend, Alec, is dragging his feet.”
“How long have you been together?” I ask.
“Two years.” She sighs. “He should know by now, right?”
“I’m not the person to ask. I’ve never even dated a guy seriously.” I catch my slip before she notices. “Before Barrett, that is.”
“Ladies.” A gorgeous, dark-haired man with a wide, sexy smile nods in our direction as he passes us. He tosses me a wink.
“Hunter.” Emma returns his nod, matter-of-factly.
He passes, and I turn to follow his form making his way through the groups of people.
“That is Hunter Cartwright. He’s a notorious bachelor and an incorrigible flirt. I’d tell you to watch out for him, but you’ve got Barrett and they’re friends, so it won’t be necessary.”
Emma walks us around, and introduces me to a few of her friends. “Besides the socialites and trust fund babies, it’s typically an older crowd at most of these things. Should we peruse the silent auction items?”
We exit the cocktail lounge and walk across the hallway to a smaller room where the silent auction items are.
Most are pet related, an all-expense paid trip to Bark Avenue Grooming, a posh doggy salon and spa, a photoshoot with your pet with renowned fashion photographer T.K. Lopez, and a year supply of top shelf premium dog food. There are other items, vacations, jewelry and even a car. None of it is of interest to me. Until my eyes snag on a poster for the Goldendoodle Foster Program of NYC.
“Aren’t they adorable?” Emma says, noticing where my attention is focused.
“And snuggly and lovable,” I say, thinking back to my conversation with Barrett yesterday in the car.
Pets aren’t allowed in my building, except for Ralph the mouse who has made himself welcome anyways. But Barrett’s home? That would be a perfect place for a sandy-colored curly-haired pup. Barrett would never go for it, though.
A chime fills the air. I look at Emma for understanding.
“That’s to let us know dinner is being served.”
My stomach falls, not because I don’t want to eat, but because I really don’t want to sit next to Barrett for the next hour. I know, it’s silly. WordIt is just a game, but it’s a small thing that gives me joy and he ruined it.
Emma and I make our way into the main room and find our table. It appears Barrett bought out a table with his company and we’re sitting together. I really like her. I hope she doesn’t hate me when Barrett and my fake relationship ends.
At the table, Emma introduces me to Alec, her boyfriend, and the rest of the group. A Wall Street broker, Derek, and his fiancée, Madison, who looks flawless in a red spaghetti strap gown.
“I can’t stop staring at her. Do I know her from somewhere?” I whisper to Emma.
“She’s a socialite, at the top of New York’s elite social circle.”
“And I’m eating dinner with her?”
Emma giggles. “There’s nothing to be stressed about. You fit right in.”
I doubt that, but Emma is at ease, so it puts me at ease. That is, until Barrett arrives. He shakes hands with the other men at the table.
“Emma.” He gives her a kiss on the cheek. “You look beautiful.”
I gape at the effortlessness with which that compliment fell from his lips. It has now been established that Barrett is in fact capable of giving compliments. If Emma wasn’t his cousin I’d be super pissed right now.
“Madison.” Barrett plants the same perfunctory kiss on her cheek. “You look lovely as always.”
Lovely as always? Lovely as always?! If the woman always looks this good it should not require a mention. What about me? I was primped up by Hans and Frans aka Will, the dynamic duo of all things hair and makeup, and I got nothing. Barely a glance before Barrett was out the door.
Barrett then has the audacity to slide one of his massive hands around my waist. His long fingers grip my hip bone. My brain scowls at his touch, but my body has amassed an entire cheering section and they’ve all gathered between my legs. They’re outfitted in Barrett St. Clair fan club gear.
“Chloe,” Barrett draws me out of my head, “this is Carl, he’s our in-house counsel at SCM.”