“Why, Ruth? Why is it so good to see me? Do I owe you money?”
Taylor fought back a giggle. The woman couldn’t so much as say hello to her, but she was all over Jack.
Ruth laughed nervously, but she didn’t remove her hand from Jack’s arm. Unfortunately for Ruth, Jack’s wife, Victoria Storm, walked up. The look on her face expressed that she would be very happy to remove the woman’s hand from her husband.
“Hello, Victoria,” Ruth greeted in weirdly high pitch.
“Ruth, take your hand off my husband,” Victoria uttered without even looking in her direction.
Even though her tone lacked any emotion, Ruth somehow knew that she meant business. Obviously, embarrassed, Ruth slid her hand off of Jack’s arm and moved closer to her husband.
“Hello, Carl,” Victoria greeted.
“Mrs. Storm,” the lieutenant governor returned.
It was funny to see how people behaved around the Storms. They were Victor’s largest contributors, and the Buchanan’s acted accordingly. Little did they know that Jack wasn’t the type of person to hold his money over their heads. But Victor wasn’t about to tell them that. He’d once mentioned to Taylor that he enjoyed watching Carl and his wife squirm in Jack’s presence.
Victoria turned to Taylor with open arms. “Happy birthday, baybee!” she squealed as she pulled Taylor into a hug.
“Thanks, Vic,” Taylor grunted through the bear hug.
Victoria stepped back and turned to Victor. “Ello, guv-nah,” she said in a really bad British accent.
“Victoria,” Victor returned, “As lovely as ever, you are.”
“Well, thank you, Victor. You ain’t too bad on the eyes yourself,” Victoria replied with a wink.
“Stop flirting before you get a spanking,” Jack threatened.
Victoria laughed. She waved off Jack’s fake jealousy and grabbed Taylor’s hand. “Will you gentlemen, please excuse us? I need to borrow the birthday girl for a minute.”
Victor nodded and lifted his glass to those sexy lips. Taylor suddenly couldn’t wait for her birthday party to be over so she could spend some naked time with her man. However, that would have to wait, she thought, as Victoria led her away.
“Stay out of trouble!” Jack shouted at their backs.
Victoria giggled but kept walking.
“Where are we going?” Taylor asked.
“To our table. I’ve assembled the girls to talk about our spa day.”
“Spa day?”
“Yes, tomorrow. It’s been a trying year for all of us, and we need to de-stress. So, we’re gonna get pampered. I’m treating you and your friends.”
“Oh, shit, Vic. That is so sweet. My friends, huh?”
Victoria turned to Taylor with narrowed eyes. “Mostof your friends,” Victoria corrected.
“Nope. Too late. You saidmy friends.”
Victoria rolled her eyes.
“Vic, neither you nor Bella ever told me why you don’t get along. What happened between you two?”
Victoria’s steps halted. She turned to Taylor. She was seemingly having a debate within about whether or not to share her business with Taylor. “Donatella,” Victoria said softly.
“Donatella? Bella’s sister? What about her?”
