“Let me help you.” He grabbed for my arm, but I stepped out of his reach.
“It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
I turned and walked away as fast as my heels would allow me, without drawing too much attention.
I hugged myself, now uncomfortable and self-conscious in my skin. How would I handle the entire night knowing Elijah already disapproved of me?The thought brought tears to my eyes.
He hurt me. Mortified me.
I only wanted to make Elijah happy, to see him smile, and to be proud to have me on his arm.
But then you’d be a pretty bird in a gilded cage. Growing further away from who you really are.
After getting myself a vodka cranberry, I searched for a corner to hide in and lick my wounds.
I found an exquisite balcony overlooking the ocean and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the salty sea. The sun was still high on the horizon, and its beams danced along my arms.
The breeze was welcome against my warmed skin as I leaned against the railing, staring into the water and watching the waves roll in. It was comforting, standing there surrounded by the quiet.
When someone came up beside me, I tensed. I didn’t have any friends here. Out of the corner ofmy eye, I glimpsed salt and pepper hair with the matching goatee of an older man. He wore an expensive looking tuxedo, par for the course of this type of event, and stood too close to me. Close enough I could smell the cologne he’d spritzed before arriving.
“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here all by yourself?” he asked.
I stepped away. “I’m not alone. I’m waiting for my husband Elijah to return with my drink.”
“Hmm. I see a full glass and no ring.”
“My wedding ring is at the shop getting a bigger diamond put in.” I hoped to sound as arrogant and pompous as the other women who attended these things. “As for my drink.” I put the glass to my lips and tilted my head back, draining it. “It’s empty.”
Desire flashed in his gaze as he watched me, and leaned forward. “Well, sweetheart, a ring never stopped me before. I’m not afraid of a husband. You look like you’re worth the risk.”
I took another step back and another before I ran into a solid body. I turned, terrified I’d run intoanother creepy old man ready to proposition me. Instead, relief washed over me, weakening my knees.
“Elijah, thank God,” I whispered. I clung to him, wanting this nightmarish exchange to end so I could forget about it.
“Can I help you, sir?” Elijah’s eyes darkened as he pushed out his chest.
The man smiled. “I was just having a conversation with this lady here. Nothing to worry about.”
“Except this lady is my girlfriend. Not someone you can take home tonight.”
“Girlfriend?”
The man’s gaze flicked to mine as he smirked. Elijah stiffened next to me. Probably assuming I told that perv I was single. “I said I was married. To you.”
I must have earned brownie points for that answer, because Elijah wrapped a protective arm around my shoulder. “I think it’s time you leave. In fact, if I see you approach her again this evening, I’ll make sure you can never show your face in Charleston again. Understand?” Elijah’s words were light, but the threatening tone behind them was unmistakable. He seethed with an anger that radiated from his body. But that anger was my protection, and I welcomed it. “Let’s go.”
I let Elijah pull me through the glass doors of the balcony and into the gala. He said nothing as he walked toward the dining room and found our seats.
“I told you that dress was asking for unwanted attention,” he whispered as soon as we sat, his words harsh in my ear.
“I didn’t ask for that to happen. I was minding my own business until he came up.”
All I’d wanted was to ground myself. To reach inside and find the Cadence who’d walked into this gala. The one who didn’t give a shit about what other people thought about her.
“You shouldn’t leave my side for the rest of the night. You’re a walking target.”
I huffed, crossing my arms like a scolded child. I wasn’t even surprised he thought it was somehow my fault. As if I’d told that man to hit on me and I’d pretended to be grossed out, all for agood laugh.
