Seconds tick by like molasses, but she doesn’t say a word.
If she knew what I was doing, she’d have every reason to freak. She’s always made it clear that taking her creepy-ex problem into my own hands is off limits.
Still, getting Harry Jay out of her life for good is worth a few white lies.
In the end, she’ll be happier, and I’m fatally addicted to making this girl smile.
Time blurs by as we make the rounds.
And Lena, hugging my arm, demure and beautiful as an angel, looks just as good at this as I knew she’d be.
Only I know her well enough to read the slight strain in her face or notice the way her fingers grip my arm a little too tightly whenever someone looks her up and down with a carnivorous smile.
Especially the older men.
Every time I see that shit, I want to call them out.
But that’s the elite for you, where money entitles wolves to wear their hunger like one more designer tie wrapped around their necks.
Everyone here is curious about this girl who’s finally gotten me to settle down, and who isn’t from their social circle.
Like I said, one big, inbred fucking family.
When you step outside it to date, eyebrows rocket off faces. And the second you step out of line, it’s judgment day.
Watching Lena muddle through it reminds me how much I hate these events.
But if it’s torture, she shows no sign.
This woman is a patient goddess, always calm and smiling.
The customer-facing role she has must’ve hardened her. She has that smile down pat as she listens to strangers prattle on about their lives and overachievements.
She handles people better than the cameras.
Somehow, she always knows when to step back and let me take over.
It helps that we’re surrounded by genuine animal lovers. People stop and listen the second she saysanimal clinic.
Lena lights up when she talks about her work at Pawsome Hearts. The second she realizes they care—the second she realizes my cynicism was only that—she opens up.
It’s like she bends the room’s gravity, leaving them wanting more.
And when I finally see my father and lead her over to Dad’s perch on the outskirts of the room while he’s deep in conversation with a congressman, her smile doesn’t falter.
He’s scowling, yeah, but that’s typical.
I’m not expecting Lena to untangle her hand from mine and march forward the instant the politician moves on.
“Hi, Mr. Pruitt. Lena Joly,” she says, extending a hand downward to his level in the chair. “Such a pleasure to meet you.”
For a second, he looks past her at me, his eyes glassy and annoyed.
Do not be fucking rude,I warn with a glance.
“Call me Alec, Miss Joly. I’ve heard so much about you.” He takes her hand and shakes it like he means to pull her to the floor.
“Call me Lena.”
