"Champagne?" I ask as we reach the bar.
"Please," she says, her eyes scanning the room with more confidence now. "This is actually less terrifying than I expected."
"You're a natural," I tell her, signaling the bartender. "People respond to authenticity. It's rare in these circles."
As the bartender pours our champagne, I feel a hand slide across my lower back—too familiar, too possessive.
"There you are." Victoria Chen appears at my side, her lithe body in a silver gown that looks painted on. Unlike Sophia, Victoria and I parted on relatively amicable terms after a brief, primarily physical relationship earlier this year. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."
Her hand remains on my back, a clear signal to Clara and anyone watching. I step smoothly away, breaking the contact.
"Victoria, this is Clara Benson. Clara, Victoria Chen, editor at Style Magazine."
Victoria assesses Clara with the brutal efficiency of someone who judges appearances professionally. "Interesting choice," she says, the words directed at me rather than Clara. "Going for the wholesome look this season? Or is this a business connection?"
Clara's cheeks flush slightly, but her gaze remains steady. I feel a surge of anger at Victoria's deliberate attempt to diminish her.
"Clara is my date," I say, my tone leaving no room for misinterpretation. "And the foundation's new dessert caterer, which makes her both a personal and professional priority tonight."
Victoria raises a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "How efficient of you. Two birds, one stone."
"I'd appreciate if you didn't refer to me as a 'bird,'" Clara interjects, her voice firm but not confrontational. "Or as a 'choice,' for that matter. I have a name."
Victoria looks momentarily startled. Few people challenge her directly.
"My apologies," she says with professional smoothness, though her eyes have cooled considerably. "Alex, when you have a moment, I'd love to discuss the feature we talked about for the March issue."
"Email Jennifer," I say, repeating my standard deflection. "She'll set something up."
Victoria lingers, clearly expecting me to make an excuse to speak with her privately. When I simply hand Clara her champagne and turn slightly away, Victoria finally takes the hint.
"Enjoy your evening," she says tightly before disappearing into the crowd.
Clara takes a sip of champagne, watching Victoria's retreat. "You seem to have a type," she observes. "Tall, model-thin, slightly terrifying."
"Past mistakes," I say, surprising myself with the blunt admission. "Nothing worth discussing."
Clara studies me over the rim of her glass. "They're all watching you, you know. Not just those two. At least half a dozen women have been tracking your movements since we arrived."
I shrug, genuinely disinterested. "Let them watch."
"Doesn't it bother you? Being treated like some prize to be won back?"
"No," I say honestly. "What bothers me is them interrupting my evening with you."
Her expression softens, vulnerability flashing briefly in her eyes before she masks it with another sip of champagne.
A server passes with hors d'oeuvres, and Clara's attention shifts immediately, professional interest piqued. "The pastry on those is undercooked," she murmurs, almost to herself. "The butter wasn't cold enough when they laminated the dough."
I smile at her unconscious assessment. "You can't turn it off, can you? The baker's eye."
"Can you turn off evaluating business opportunities wherever you go?" she counters.
"Touché."
As we continue circulating, I find myself focused entirely on Clara's reactions—her genuine delight at the ice sculpture, her thoughtful questions about the hospital's programs, her subtle critiques of the food. I'm vaguely aware of other women trying to catch my eye, of Sophia watching from across the room with poorly concealed irritation, of Victoria speaking intensely with several people while glancing our way.
None of it matters. For the first time at one of these events, I'm not thinking about business connections or strategic appearances or how soon I can reasonably leave. I'm simply present, watching Clara Benson navigate a world so differentfrom her own with grace and authenticity that puts everyone else to shame.
