I turn to face him.
He lifts his champagne flute as a salute, but the gesture lacks sincerity. Like everything about him.
“Oh, hello––” I pause for effect. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.”Lie.
“It’s perfectly normal, we just met. My name is Potter. Potter MacCaak. I’m one of the board members.”
“Oh, yes.” I offer a tight smile. “There’s so much happening today, it’s hard to keep it all straight.”
“It’s understandable,” Potter says. His lips curl up, but the smile never reaches his dark-brown eyes. “It’s quite the party. Great turn out. A lot of notable people are attending.” The silver bearded fifty-something man who’s vocal, aggravating, and the most irritating thorn in Phoenix’s side gives off an air of superiority, staring down at us commoners from his long nose. I’d sooner trust a king cobra than this pompous jerk.
“I’m touched so many people came out for our big day.” I step into my starlet role before changing the subject. “Where are my manners? Potter, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Keira.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he says with a formal nod before extending his hand.
He’s weird.
“Pleased to meet you,” Keira says, shaking his hand.
“Have you known the lovely Michaela long?”
Keira’s cautious gaze slides from Potter to mine.
I keep a poker face.
“Michaela and I have an incredibly tight relationship,” Keira says. “She’s one of my favorite people.”
Great answer. She didn’t even have to lie.
“I see.” Potter nods again. “Do you also live in New York?”
“No, I live in LA.”
Potter frowns. “Really?”
I can see the wheels churning in his head, attempting to poke holes in our story.
“Thanks to modern technology, it’s like we live in the same city,” Keira says.
Potter’s focus swings to Keira. “Were you in the know about the secret relationship?”
“The whole point of something being secret is that, well, it’s secret,” Keira says. “But you know… girls talk. So, yes, I was in the know. It was like Fourth of July fireworks when Michaela and Phoenix first met. It’s no wonder they hadto get married.”
Bravo, Keira. Bravo.
She’s not lying. Explosions detonated when I barged into my husband’s office six days ago.
“Well, for the rest of us, the relationship came out of nowhere,” Potter says. “A bit suspicious, if you ask me.”
Good thing no one asked you.
“To answer your earlier question, Potter,” I say, “I don’t have second thoughts about marrying the man of my dreams.” I intend to drill this into his thick skull even if it kills me.
“Will the honeymoon be as speedy as the wedding?”
I glare at him.
Why is he being such a busybody?“You’re quite interested in our relationship. More than any other board member. In fact, more than anyone else here.”
