I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from telling him to fuck off.
“Thank you,” I stated, only making eye contact with my father.
“I’m very happy you came, sweetie.”
My head snapped back in surprise. I simply stared at my father. It was a rare occasion whenever he used any term of endearment for me, and the last time he’d done it, I was very young.
“Um, thank you. It looks great in here. The silent auction seems to be doing well.” I tipped my head toward the row of tables where people gathered, writing in their bids for items being auctioned off.
“Yeah, we hope so. I convinced Elliott to add a women’s shelter to the list of the donation recipients this year,” Marjorie interjected.
“That’s great.” I knew how much shelters could use the donations raised there that night.
“Well, you two must have some catching up to do,” my father mused, looking between Lamont and me.
I simply took another sip of champagne, wishing it was something stronger.
“Honey, Lamont and Chanel were really good friends in high school and college. Dated for a while too. For a second, I thought they’d wind up married. Would’ve been great to have a top NFL wide receiver in the family,” he laughed.
“Are you okay?” Marjorie and Lamont questioned at the same time as I choked on my last sip of champagne.
I held up my hand. “I’m fine,” I coughed.
“Honey, there’s someone I want you to meet,” my father said to Marjorie. “You two catch up. Chanel, I’d like to speak with you sometime before you leave.”
I squinted at my father, wondering what he’d want to talk to me about. Before I could get a chance to ask, he’d took Marjorie by the elbow, escorting her toward whomever he wanted her to meet. That left me alone with Lamont, who apparently didn’t have the good sense to leave when my father did.
“You look great, Chanel.”
I didn’t bother to thank him.
“I can’t believe how highly your father speaks of me sometimes. I mean, after what happened between us, you know.”
I finally did roll my eyes. “My father doesn’t know.”Not like he’d care anyway.Lamont was about to begin his eighth season in the National Football League and was one of the most notable players. He’d been a client of my father’s firm since his rookie season.
“You never told him?” The surprise in his voice made my hand twitch, wanting to smack him.
“Tell my father that my big-time football player boyfriend cheated and impregnated my then-best friend our senior year of college?” I felt satisfied as I watched Lamont’s face flinch. “No, I never told him that.”
“Why not?”
I frowned. I’d known Lamont since high school. He of all people knew the rocky relationship I had with my father. But I shrugged. “It never seemed to come up in friendly conversation, you know?” I gave him a deadpan expression. I stared at his sandpaper-colored face, strong jaw and thick frame. The years had been good to Lamont, if looks were any indication.
“Chanel?”
I closed my eyes, wishing for the ground to swallow me whole. I turned to see a hesitant-looking Larsa approaching me. Larsa was Lamont’s wife and my ex-best friend. She and I had been BFFs since grade school and even decided to go to the same college just to be close to one another. Observing her petite frame, glowing skin, and long dark hair, I could see the years had been good to her as well.Well, isn’t this just perfect.
“Larsa,” I greeted, taking another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.Why the hell don’t they have anything stronger?
“I didn’t expect to see you here. How are you?” she asked.
I wouldn’t have expected them or anyone else to think I’d be there. It'd been close to a decade since I’d attended one of these events.
“I’m well.”
Larsa paused, looking up at her husband. “Look, Chanel, I know—”
I held up my hand, not wanting to hear what I knew she was going to say next. “Don’t, Larsa. It’s been almost ten years. You both look happy. Congratulations and enjoy the rest of your evening.” I turned to walk away and smacked right into something solid and immovable.
