I felt sorry for him. That statement sounded utterly lonely.
“We’re here,” he said, taking my hand to guide me up the stairs leading to the swanky entrance.
The tables had white linen tablecloths topped with candles in the center. Well-dressed people drank wine and talked about their stock portfolios, I assumed. Or their third vacation home and where to find the best fifty-dollar strawberry.
I had to stop being so judgmental. Tonight, I needed to be one of them. Country mouse needed to be city mouse.
It appeared we were fashionably late, since all the other guests at our table were already seated. Several older gentlemen in suits sat with women at their sides. I wasn’t sure who he worked with and who were the spouses. They really should have worn nametags for this meal.
Luke pulled out my chair for me near the head of the table, where a man with gray hair and red cheeks was glugging down wine like it was water. “Luke, my boy, is this her?”
Luke nodded as he sat beside me. “Yes, sir. Marshall Lipton, this is my girlfriend, Clara Snow.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” I said to him.
Marshall laughed. “No need to call mesir, little miss. We’re all friends here.”
“He says that,” Luke said with a grin to me. “But he’s on the board. He’s one of my bosses.”
I appreciated the heads-up. Marshall Lipton was one of the people I was there to impress. A woman sat beside him, who Iassumed was his wife. They looked about the same age, although she might have had some work done.
I shot him and his wife a mischievous smile. “In that case, I won’t tell any stories about Luke in high school.”
Luke stiffened like I’d shocked him with a cattle prod, but Marshall and his wife laughed. That seemed to loosen up my fake boyfriend.
“I like this one,” Marshall said.
“And who’s this lovely lady?” I asked, since no one had bothered to introduce the woman. She wasn’t furniture, for God’s sake. “Your daughter?”
More laughter. Luke reached under the table and gave my hand a squeeze. I looked at him, to see if he was telling me to rein it in, but his smile was grateful, relieved.
Damn right.
We talked a bit with the entire table, but eventually, everyone talked among their own little groups. We were chatting with Marshall and Kerri Lipton, having a lovely time. The conversation turned toward me, and Kerri asked me what line of work I was in.
I gave her the short version. “I’m a set designer for movies and plays, but I was recently let go. It’s a real shame, too, because I had come up with some amazing designs for our production ofThe Nutcracker. Now no one will ever see them.”
Kerri’s eyes lit up and she shared a look with her husband. “Can you believe it?”
He nodded. “Seems like fate to me.”
Luke frowned and his brow furrowed. “I feel like I missed something.”
Marshall leveled his gaze at me. “Would you be interested in helping Kerri plan and decorate for the company Christmas party? I know it’s not Broadway, but it sounds like you’re exactly the help she’s been looking for.”
Luke stiffened. Neither one of us had anticipated this. How could we?
I wasn’t sure what Luke wanted me to say, and there was no way for him to tell me. “Of course,” I said, making my choice. “Just let me know how to help.”
Kerri gave a little cheer and leaned over to hug me. “Welcome to the family.”
That sent a shiver through me. I hoped she hadn’t felt it. Kerri seemed so happy and excited, and I should have been feeling the same way. But seeing how quickly she had accepted me made me feel guilty for lying to her. Kerri was being kind to me and I was repaying that kindness with deception.
It was a white lie, and it would be over before Kerri ever found out my relationship with Luke was fake. That soothed my guilt somewhat. Besides, working with her might allow me to put in the good word for Luke. And she would talk him up to Marshall. Game, set, and match.
Dinner wound down after that. Kerri and I traded phone numbers and we all said our goodbyes.
Luke walked me down the block to where Lenny would be waiting. He was quiet, looking lost in thought.
