How the Light Gets In (Cracks Duet #2)(35)

Even in Yvonne’s lucky red dress, I still felt intimidated when we arrived at the hotel where the event was being held. With Dylan’s hand in mine, I looked around, taking it all in. What was it about rich people that somehow made them look glossier than us regular folk?

Money, probably.

“It’s all those face creams with the baby foreskin mixed in,” Dylan replied, because yes, I’d asked the question out loud. I screwed up my mouth in disgust.

“Is that actually a thing?”

He shrugged. “Might be.”

“Ugh. The saying is true that some people have more money than sense.”

He chuckled low. “That they do.”

“I’m a little nervous,” I confessed.

Dylan came and caught my chin between his fingers, then laid a soft kiss on my lips. “Have I mentioned how beautiful you look tonight?”

“Maybe. But you can mention it again if you like.”

“You’re beautiful, Evelyn.”

“Why, thank you,” I said and linked my arm through his. “Now let’s go get some food. I’m starved. They better have good appetizers at this thing.”

“For twenty thousand a table I’m sure they do”

“Twenty K a table? Wow. Some people really do have more money than sense.”

“It’s for charity, Ev.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “You all just like to swish around in fancy getups and feel like you’re making the world a better place.”

He cast me an amused look. “You’re in a sassy mood tonight.” He moved closer, his lips at my ear when he breathed. “Maybe later I’ll fuck it out of you.”

My breath got stuck in my throat, butterflies flitting around in my stomach. I swallowed and mustered a bold expression. “Will you now?”

He didn’t answer, only smiled with confidence, took my hand and led me farther into the event. Pleasurable goose bumps danced along my neck.

A little while later, we were seated at a table. Dylan and I sat with a few other people from his company, including Conor. I was surprised he came without a date, then wondered if he’d asked Yvonne. That wagon better not have turned him down. I knew she wanted him, she just wouldn’t allow herself to have him.

“That dress looks way better on your aunt,” he commented as though reading my mind. I stuck out my tongue.

“Well, of course you’d think that.”

Dylan chuckled and took a swig from his glass. “Don’t listen to him. You look amazing.”

“Hello, Mr O’Dea. Mr Abrahams.”

All three of us turned to see Laura standing by our table. She wore a sparkly black dress that made her red hair appear particularly striking, her lips coated in a dark matte lipstick. The look was very femme fatale, and very geared towards impressing Dylan, I imagined. I couldn’t help the way it made my gut tighten with envy. She looked incredible.

Her eyes wandered from Dylan and then to me, lingering a moment on the way his hand rested on my thigh. There was a brief flash of jealousy in her gaze and then it was gone.

“Laura, you look well,” Conor said.

“Yes, good to see you,” Dylan added stiffly.

After our conversation the other night, he knew I was wary of their past. I felt like he was being careful not to do or say anything that might make me suspect he still liked her. And that made me feel bad, because I didn’t want him walking on eggshells.

“I really like your dress,” I said kindly, hoping Dylan saw it as a sign that I didn’t mind her being here. If they were over, there was no need for any weirdness. This thing between us was so new, there was no point being uptight.

She cast a glance my way. “Thanks. Yours is very . . . red.”

Well, at least she didn’t call it slutty. There wasn’t really any response I could give, so I simply smiled politely and sipped my wine.

Laura took her seat on the other side of the table and chatted with some of her colleagues, but every once in a while, her eyes landed on me. Although she put on a good mask, I could see her displeasure. And I couldn’t even blame her for hating me. If I’d had Dylan as a temporary bedfellow, I’d be dreaming up notions of more just the same as she was.

I made a mental note to talk to her later, clear the air somehow. If she was going to be working at Dylan for the foreseeable future, we needed to at least be civil.

My chance came when she headed for the bathrooms. I excused myself to Dylan and followed after her. She went inside a stall, but didn’t notice me. I dawdled by the sink, and checked my appearance while I waited for her to emerge.

I felt odd waiting there, but this needed to be done. Other than her fondness for Dylan and dislike of me, she seemed like a decent person.

I pretended to wash my hands when she came out. She looked up, halting a moment when she saw me, then continued to the sink.

“Hi, Laura,” I said, trying to sound friendly. “Are you having a good night?”

She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. “Yes, I’m having a lovely night, Evelyn. Thank you for asking.”

If I wasn’t mistaken, her tone was a smidge tetchy.

“Well, I’m glad.”

“And I’m glad that you’re glad,” she snipped, not bothering to hide her displeasure now.

I was above replying with, I’m glad that you’re glad that I’m glad.