“Really?”
He chuckled. “That surprises you?”
“I honestly thought you’d tryto spin it.”
“Look, if it’s really as simple as me telling you I was going to call and I didn’t, I can work with that, Addison.”
“It really is... that’s not to say you’ll get away with not calling and/or texting... I want you to putsomeeffort into this.”
“I can do that.” He leaned down to kiss me. “Now. You gonna dance with me?”
“Sure. I have to dance with Daddy first, but I’ll add you tomy dance card.”
“I appreciate that, Addison.”
“Anything for you, handsome.” I grinned. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my parents.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They’ll hate you. I can’t wait.”
“What?”
I grinned. “Don’t take it personally. They hate everyone with a net worth under a hundred million. You’re in good company.”
“That makes me feel so much better,” he grumbled.
* * *
Dylan
As soonas we enteredthe ballroom, Addison scurried off to work. Her old college friend, Brittany cornered her, and Jake followed for a few steps before he was stopped by someone he apparently knew. Since this wasn’t exactly my crowd, I was content to stay on Asher’s arm while he wandered around the room introducing me to people.
About twenty minutes into the event, he pulled me closer and asked, “Youokay?”
“Yep. I’m good. I think I’m even getting the hang of these shoes.”
“Damn.” He frowned.
“That’s a good thing, Ash.”
“Nope. I like the death grip you have on my arm. It makes me feel needed and useful. You should wear heels more often.”
Rolling my eyes would take too much concentration away from trying to keep from breaking my neck, so I just squeezed his arm tighter. “You like me clingy,huh?”
“Let’s just say I like you touching me. Feel free to do more of that.”
My cheeks heated and I didn’t know what to say to that, so I snapped my mouth shut.
His eyes sparkled with laughter. “Can I get you a drink?”
The idea of trying to navigate heels while under the influence did not appeal to me at all. “No thanks. I’m good.”
He leaned closer, his attention on something over my shoulder.“My parents are on their way over here. We should both probably have a drink before they get here.”
I followed his gaze to find Victoria, with a dead baby seal wrapped around her shoulders and a mine-full of diamonds around her neck, fake-laughing at something another woman said. Bruce Allen stood nearby, talking to another man.
“Whatever you’re getting, make mine a double,” I said.
