Dating Games(63)

“No more fantasies,” I repeat, a pang in my heart at the idea.

“No more fantasies,” he says once more, then pulls back, smiling a small smile. We return our attention to the party, everyone oblivious to our emotional exchange. Resuming the roles we’re here to play, he links his hand with mine. When a waiter carrying a tray of Champagne passes, Julian swipes two flutes, handing me one.

“For the record…” He lifts his glass and I do the same. “I know you’ll soon meet someone who will give you the trip to Paris you deserve.” He sips the effervescent liquid, his eyes unwavering as they remain glued to mine.

“I hope so,” I murmur absent-mindedly.

“Evie!” an excited voice exclaims as I’m about to take a sip.

I search for its source, seeing Sadie and Christopher gliding toward us. That’s exactly what it looks like. As if Sadie is walking on air, everything about her poised and put-together. She looks as stunning as I expected she would, wearing a pale white silk gown that hugs her slender frame. Her brown hair is pulled into a bun at her nape, a few strands framing her face. And around her neck is a dazzling diamond necklace that must have cost a small fortune.

“Oh, my goodness…” Grabbing my hand, she spins me around almost in the same fashion as Julian did earlier. “You look incredible. This dress…” She shifts her attention to Julian. “Dana?”

“Who else?” he answers with a laugh.

“Who else indeed. She truly is the best. You’d better keep your eyes on this one tonight, especially around Ethan.” She laughs, indicating she’s simply making a joke, but Julian knows it’s not.

He shifts, wrapping an arm around my waist. For once, I’m certain it’s not just for show but his innate need to protect me. The fear streaming from his eyes when he saw Ethan around me last night was far too real to simply be an act.

“He has a thing for the ladies. That’s probably why Sonia left him.”

This is news to me. I wonder if Chloe knows. “She did?”

A smirk forms on Sadie’s lips as she leans closer, her eyes brimming with excitement. She would get along famously with Chloe, both of them bonding over a shared love of gossip. Maybe that’s why I’ve formed such a strong bond with Sadie after only a few days. She reminds me so much of Chloe.

“It’s quite the scandal,” she whispers. “Last summer, after the Fourth of July, she was mysteriously absent from all festivities, forcing Ethan to attend alone. Then, earlier this year, she was rumored to have been staying with another man while on location for an upcoming movie that was shooting in Vancouver.”

“That’s not exactly a scandal, Sadie,” Christopher interjects, rolling his eyes.

“That’s not the scandalous part,” she insists, her gaze floating to his before returning to mine. I’m with Christopher. Two celebrities ending their relationship isn’t newsworthy these days. “It’s rumored this man was a male escort.”

My interest piques at this tidbit of information.

“Which sounds ridiculous. I mean, why would someone like Sonia Moreno need to hire an escort? Any man would love to be with her, so why should she pay someone to sleep with her?”

“Maybe it’s not about sex,” I argue, my own words surprising me. All eyes instantly zero in on me, so I explain, using information I’d gleaned from my brief conversations with August Laurent. “Men and women are programmed differently. As such, they typically hire escorts for different reasons. Yes, most men do so in order to have a quick romp in the sack. Women are different, and I would argue far superior to the male species.” I wink as I bring my Champagne flute back to my lips, taking a sip.

“I won’t argue with that,” Christopher quips. “Not if I want to sleep in the same bed as Sadie tonight.” He looks to Julian. “And I wouldn’t argue if I were you, either, not if you want to share Evie’s bed with her.”

“Duly noted.” Julian’s eyes find mine, wistful and eager. A part of me wonders if he wishes he could share my bed, too.

“As the superior gender,” I continue, tearing my gaze from Julian’s, “our reasons for hiring an escort are much more complicated than simply wanting to get laid. We do so to feel a connection, to feel adored, to feel beautiful.”

The instant I say the words, the air is sucked from my lungs. That is precisely what Julian’s done for me. After only twenty-four hours with him, I’m no longer clinging to a life I may never have again. All because he made me feel beautiful. And if Julian, an amateur, can make me feel like this, I can only imagine what August Laurent could do for someone over the course of a month.

“If it’s true, I understand why she did it. An escort is discreet.”

“Especially this one,” Sadie says. “Apparently, he’s the most sought-after escort in the country.”

My eyes practically bulge out of their sockets as I choke on my Champagne. “August Laurent?” I cough out.

She smiles deviously, waggling her brows. “You’ve heard of him.”

“Evie’s working on a story about him for her magazine,” Julian explains, his tone boastful. “She hopes that giving the world the inside scoop on the elusive escort will land her a promotion to assistant editor.”