Annie handed Tess her clutch purse.
“This dress looks amazing! Admit it!” she crowed. “I’m going to get tons of compliments.”
That I didn’t doubt.
When the limo dropped us off in front of the hotel where the charity ball was being held, several photographers snapped our pictures. I wrapped a hand protectively around Tess’s waist.
None of the other women were wearing dresses like hers. They all wore darker, more conservative dresses. Heads were turning when we walked in.
Maybe I should have made her change.
“Oh my god!” one well-dressed woman squealed, running up to Tess. “I love your dress! Where did you find it?”
“It was custom,” Tess demurred.
“Who’s the designer?”
“It was invite-only,” Tess said. “Sorry! She doesn’t want to be flooded with business.”
That wasn’t the only woman who asked about her dress as we made our rounds around the ballroom, not to mention the numerous guys who were staring at her.
Tess seemed oblivious as she waved at Ethel.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Ethel said, giving each of us air kisses. “Isn’t this such a wonderful party! We’ve raised quite a lot of money to help trafficking victims.”
“A worthy cause.”
“Mark!” Ethel exclaimed, giving him air kisses. “And Finn Richmond. Do you know—”
“Beck Svensson? Yes,” he said. “We’ve met.”
“Finn especially has been such a huge help in the nonprofit to save trafficking victims,” Ethel said, pressing a hand to her chest. “Both of us have personal connections to the cause.”
The tall, dark-haired man patted her shoulder in sympathy.
“And thank you for your generous donation, Mark and Brea,” Ethel added.
“Oh my god!” the short young woman exclaimed, jumping up and down beside Mark. “I freaking love your dress! Where did you find that? You have to tell me!”
“Brea,” Mark began, but the young woman had already grabbed Tess and was spinning her around.
“My girlfriend is a seamstress,” Mark explained. He looked at me. “You know, we still don’t have a contractor on board for the cyber security work.”
Owen had been emphatic that we needed to try again. But ever since Mark’s uncle had stolen Greg and Hunter’s company out from under them, Greg had declared out-and-out war against the Holbrooks. I couldn’t say I cared much for them either. I loathed begging a Holbrook for anything. But I also had to keep the best interests of my company in mind. I gritted my teeth.
“I understand we didn’t put our best foot forward that day. We had a bit going on unfortunately and were off our game.”
But instead of laying into me, Mark seemed concerned. “I had no idea your sisters had turned up that day,” he said. “We could have rescheduled.”
“Water under the bridge.”
Finn clapped me on the shoulder. “Man, it’s terrible what happened to your sisters. You must have been so relieved to have them back.” He shook his head. “Trust me, I know how terrible it is to be trapped like that, especially as a child.”
“Of course,” I said. As much as I hated my childhood, it hadn’t been anything as horrific as Finn’s and his brothers’.
“Send over your prospectus,” Mark told me.
I tried not to scowl.
