I finally break my gaze at her to glance at the guy I’m supposed to be having a conversation with. I clear my throat. “She’s my wife.”
The words don’t feel natural coming out of my mouth just yet, but the more times I say it, the more it’s starting to feel real.
“I’m Grayson Nash,” he says, introducing himself to Ainsley when she reaches us.
“Ainsley Ri—uh, Bradley.”
“How long have you two been married?” Grayson asks.
“A week today,” I admit.
“Well, congratulations to you both. Let me buy you a drink,” he says.
“It’s an open bar,” I say, and he laughs.
“Oh, right. Well, the tip’s on me.”
We head over to the bar for a second drink, and as promised, Grayson tips the bartender. We’re called to our seats for dinner then, and I lean in toward Ainsley as they serve the first course.
“What the fuck is this?” I ask.
She picks up a menu sitting on the table. “Truffle mushroom tartlet,” she reads.
“It looks like dirt. And bugs. I’ll pass.”
She giggles. “As appetizing as you made that sound, I’ll wait for the heirloom tomato salad coming next.”
“What happened to mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers?”
“You’re at a fancy charity ball, Dex. Remember?”
“Have you ever been to one of these?” I ask.
She gives me a funny look and shakes her head. “Not much opportunity for this type of event in the Riggs household. The fanciest dinners I had were the Monday night masterpieces at Casa de Bradley.”
I chuckle. “Ivy calls them that, doesn’t she?”
She nods. “What about you? Did you grow up around these things?”
“Yeah, pretty much. And I’d usually eat before I went.”
She looks surprised. “You would?”
I nod. “Yeah. I’d order mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, and a pizza.”
She leans in as the mushroom dirt thing is taken away. “Let’s order that when we get home. Except not jalapeño poppers. Breaded zucchini sticks.”
I make a face of disgust. “Zucchini?”
“Jalapeños?” she counters.
“Fine. We’ll get both.”
She giggles, and it’s that sound that’s becoming music to my ears.
Fuck. What the hell is wrong with me?
We don’t get much chance to talk more as the speeches from the charity officials begin. After that, there’s some dancing while guests are given another bit of time to finalize their bids for the silent auction items. We follow Grayson and his wife outside to the rooftop terrace and chat with them for before they head inside to listen to the winners of the auction since they bid on some of the items, but we stay outside, drinking in the view of the Las Vegas skyline.
