Reluctantly Yours(46)

I aggressively shake Carl’s hand, desperately trying to transfer my pent-up anger to someone or something. An elbow to Barrett’s ribs would have been preferable.

“And his girlfriend, Lindsay.” Barrett points to the blonde bombshell beside Carl.

I shake Lindsay’s hand, a little less aggressively.

“Nice to meet you.” She smiles kindly and I’m thankful I didn’t crush her hand.

Barrett leans in to give her a half body hug, since he’s only got the one arm available, and a kiss on the cheek.

“Did you get your hair cut?” he asks her.

“Yes. I’m surprised you noticed. It was only a quarter inch.” She laughs, then pats Carl on the arm. “Carl didn’t even know.”

“It looks great,” Barrett follows up and I think I’m going to lose my mind.

He observes a quarter inch of hair has been removed from a woman’s head that he doesn’t see every day, yet he can’t acknowledge the effort that I put into my appearance tonight? I know this is a fake relationship, but the effort to tape my boobs for the backless dress, ladies and gentlemen, was real.

A simple ‘you look nice’ or ‘that blue dress is pretty’ would have sufficed. He picked the dress out. He could have complimented himself with that one. Why is it so hard to say something nice to me?

I’m about to storm out but a waiter places a plate of food in front of me. It’s filet mignon and grilled shrimp. I drop into my seat so fast Barrett is startled.

During dinner I focus on eating the delicious food and talking with Emma and ignore Barrett, except when I have to smile at him adoringly, and that one time when I was lovingly patting his thigh but decided to pinch and twist instead.

By dessert, Barrett’s arm is resting over part of the back of my chair, which wouldn’t be a big deal except my dress is backless and I’ve now accidentally leaned into his hand twice. Those fucking hands.

When it happens again, I nearly jump out of my seat.

“I’m going to the ladies’ room,” I announce in monotone. Now who’s the robot? I feel like Barrett’s charm is wearing off on me.

“Hurry back. They’ll be serving dessert soon,” Emma says cheerily.

I don’t use the ladies’ room, but instead wander the hall. I take another lap through the silent auction.

“Anything interesting?” The male voice beside me causes me to look up. It’s the handsome man from earlier. Hunter Cartwright, Emma had said.

“Nothing I can afford.” I smile.

He laughs. “But it’s for the dogs.”

I laugh. “Yes, they are cute,” I say, looking at the poster for the Goldendoodle dog fostering program.

“Hunter Cartwright.” He extends his hand and I take it.

“Chloe Anderson.”

“Nice to meet you.” He smiles again, his blue eyes sparkling. “That’s some dress.”

“Yeah?” I say, surprised. “Thank you. My date has yet to comment.”

As soon as I say it, I hate that it is what has been bugging me all night. I shouldn’t care what Barrett thinks. I don’t need his approval. I don’t need him to tell me I look nice.

“He’s an idiot.”

“He’s actually a smart businessman.” I’m shocked the words fall from my mouth so easily. They’re true, of course, but I thought I’d be the last person to defend Barrett tonight.

“Chloe.” We both turn to find Barrett entering the room. His dark expression lightens when he sees Hunter.

“St. Clair,” Hunter extends his hand and Barrett takes it. They both pull each other in for a half shake, half man hug and pat on the back. “Good to see you.”

“I saw Hannah inside, she said you were here. We should grab lunch sometime,” Barrett responds.

“Sure. I’ll have Jeannie call Bea to set it up,” Hunter responds.

They smile at each other. Long lost brothers these two.

“So, you’re the idiot,” Hunter says.

“What?” Barrett questions.

“Chloe here is with some idiot that doesn’t recognize she’s the most beautiful woman at the event.”

Barret’s stare falls on me and I chuckle, shifting from foot to foot. That’s not really what I said, but Hunter seems to be enjoying ribbing Barrett.

A moment of silence passes before Barrett answers, “No one’s called me an idiot in a while and gotten away with it. I’ll take that out on you on the racquetball court.”

Hunter laughs. “Sounds good. I’ll see you two. Nice to meet you, Chloe.” He pats my arm and gives Barrett a nod before disappearing.

I expect Barrett to acknowledge what Hunter said, maybe say I look nice, even if it’s only because Hunter called him out. I guess I shouldn’t expect things from Barrett.

“Dinner’s over.” That’s what he says. “I’m going to find Fred before he leaves. Then we’ll go.”

“Sure,” I say, keeping my voice calmer than I feel.

I turn back toward the tables of auction items, and when I glance behind me Barrett is gone.

My eyes catch on that Goldendoodle foster program poster again and I get an idea. A feeling of true giddiness passes through my body for the first time since I walked down the stairs at Barrett’s house.