I cast my eyes back in the direction of the staircase, but the angels are gone. A chill runs down my spine that makes me certain they’re still watching from the shadows.
“I hate to step away,” Ambrose remarks, his hand brushing my hip, “but I should use the restroom and grab us both another glass of wine.”
“No problem,” I answer, even as anxiety buzzes like static under my skin.
Ambrose walks away, leaving me alone with Richard. He leans casually against the wall pillar behind him with his hands tucked into his pockets, and I prepare myself for another awkward conversation, though this time without Ambrose around to do the smooth talking.
“You doing alright?” he asks softly. “You looked like you’d seen a ghost a minute ago.”
My eyes shift toward the staircase again, but it’s empty.
“I’m fine,” I say too quickly, then immediately regret it. Iexhale, trying to shake the tension in my shoulders. “It’s just been a long night.”
He nods sympathetically. “You and me both. Sometimes I feel like I don’t belong in places like this.”
I cast him an incredulous look. “Really? I mean, me either, but that’s because Iactuallydon’t.”
“Could’ve fooled me. But no, I had a rough start in life, so this sort of extravagance feels foreign sometimes. Even though I have money now, it still feels a bit like I’m pretending to be someone I’m not.”
His confession draws me in, piquing my curiosity about what his life might be like. He’s become one of them yet still doesn’t feel like he belongs, and it’s clear he’s not given up his modesty to match most of their pretentious attitudes. The tightness in my chest loosens, and it’s the first time I’ve felt at ease all night. Seeing the angels here set off sirens in my mind, but the danger feels muted right now, knowing Ambrose isn’t far away and I have good company in the meantime.
“I can understand that,” I say, even though I can’t. At least, not from a firsthand perspective. “Are you from around here?”
“Not far. Grew up near the Tennessee state line. I’ve been all over since, but this place always draws you back.”
I shudder.Not me, I think. Once I’m gone I’m never coming back.
“Where do you and Ambrose live?”
“Out in the middle of nowhere,” I answer, sidestepping the question while still technically telling the truth. There’s a note of bitterness in my tone, but I don’t think he notices.
Richard laughs. “Well, I s’pose there are pros and cons to that as much as anything else. How long have y’all been together?”
“Not long, but I knew I’d be stuck with him from the first moment I met him,” I answer through clenches teeth forced into a smile. Again, not technically a lie.
“Love at first sight then,” he jokes, but there’s a glint in his eyes that makes me wonder if he knows more than he’s letting on.
“Something like that.”
“He’s an interesting guy, that one. Always so secretive.”
I nod, not sure where he’s going with this. “He is.”
“Anything interesting you can share, just between the two of us?” He asks in a conspiratorial whisper, leaning in slightly.
“No,” I laugh nervously, “sorry to disappoint.” Ambrose did say most of them think he works for the CIA, so it makes sense there’s an air of mystery around him, but the line of questioning is disconcerting
We switch topics, and I end up asking him more about his work, to which he describes how he founded a non-profit dedicated to helping injured wild animals. Slowly, I relax into the easy rhythm of our conversation as he explains why this matters to him and how he managed to make it work. The evident passion he has for his work is endearing.
The rest of the room disappears as we continue to converse, and I realize I’m smiling more than I have in a long time. Richard isn’t just handsome, but clever and caring. I find myself blushing at his frequent yet subtle compliments, just enough to be flirty but not enough to overstep.
In another life, this is the sort of man I could have seen myself being with. Someone with a passion to make the world a better place and the drive to do something about it.
“I’m glad Ambrose brought you,” he says, interrupting my thoughts. “You’re the sweetest breath of fresh air I’ve had in a long time.”
“Likewise. I wish I could stay here all night and just talk to you.”
I sense Ambrose’s return before I see him. His presence cuts through the air like a blade sliding into its sheath.
