She turns to Hallie with an apologetic smile, her eyes glassy, making me wonder how many of the free champagnes she’s already taken advantage of.
“I’m sorry you have to hear about my brother’s slutty behavior. It’s the furthest thing from true love matches.” She wobbles in her heels. “Kind of makes a sham of it all when he sticks his dick in a different woman every week.”
“Sinclair,” I warn. “That’s enough.”
My daughter’s pained eyes meet mine and she fiddles with her diamond pendant. “I’m still holding out hope for you, Dad. Don’t worry.” She tips her empty glass toward the bar. “I’m going to get another drink.”
“Is she okay?” Hallie looks after her with concern. “I should?—”
“I’ll go,” Sullivan clips. “She had a run-in with another model at her shoot earlier. Accused her of stealing one of her scarves. She’s just letting off steam.”
He squeezes my shoulder. “You look after Halliday. Introduce her to the…appropriatewomen she’s going to set you up on dates with.” His eyes darken before he strolls away in the direction of the bar.
My grip tightens around my glass.
I’m a fool.
I have no right to tangle Hallie up in any of my shit.
My other hand leaves her back for the first time since we arrived.
It happens at the exact same moment Lavinia breezes over, her arms outstretched.
“Sterling!” She beams, pulling me into a hug.
She rests her palm on my upper arm as she assesses me, her eyes twinkling.
“Lavinia.” I smile. “I’d like you to meet Halliday Burton. She’s my?—”
“Divine power facilitator,” Hallie interjects, smiling brightly at Lavinia and offering her hand.
Lavinia takes it, her brow scrunching in confusion. “Is that a… life coach?”
Hallie tilts her head, her lips pulling to one side as she thinks. “I suppose in a way. I help people to recognize signs from the universe. To unlock magic and love.”
“She was my gift… From Sinclair,” I add.
Hallie glances at me before turning her attention to Lavinia. “I’m here to meet Sterling’s friends and get to know the people who are important to him. I can tell you more about my work when you have time tonight?”
Lavinia looks between the two of us as though she’s about to ask more. But she promptly returns Hallie’s beaming smile with a friendly one.
“How marvelous. I would love that. Why don’t I introduce you to some people now? Sterling, you’ll be okay?”
“Please, be my guest,” I reply, holding up a hand in invitation.
Hallie throws me an encouraging smile before Lavinia leads her off into the crowd with their arms linked.
I let my eyes leave her for the first time all evening and turn, surveying the crowd of people congregated around the long bar.
I spot my friend, Lawson, and make my way to him. He’s standing talking to Frankie Millington, a real estate agent with slicked back hair and receding morals. We’ve all known one another since college.
“Evening.” I tip my chin at them.
“Sterling.” Lawson’s face lights up as he spots me. “You can settle this one for us. Frankie’s got it in his head that Roman’s missed out on tonight because Nina’s got him on a tight leash.”
I chuckle into my juice as I take a sip. Our friend, Roman, closed one of Manhattan’s largest known deals on record for the sale of some commercial buildings. It’s all just legal paperwork and negotiations to Roman, a lawyer who specializes in business and property litigation. But to Frankie, he might as well have hung the damn moon.
“I think you’ll find he’s at his cousin’s wedding. And he asked Nina to go with him now that they’ve been dating awhile.”
