Chapter 43
Gabriel
I recheck my watch. I know Eric picked her up at six o’clock because he sent me an update via text message. I sip my champagne, chatting with other guests while simultaneously watching the entrance for my date.
I decided to pull out the big guns tonight. The last few days have been a nightmare with Lexie. I’ve made mistakes, that’s for sure. First, I fucked her. Then I went off on her stupid bird. I insulted her over breakfast, in front of a reporter. Yes. I read the article. I came off as an arrogant, insensitive jackass. I know this. Sure, Cammy had to explain what a BBW was and just how majorly I screwed the pooch over breakfast, but I get it now. I believe things between us will be fine now. Once she sees the gift I left for her in the limo, I’ll be home free.
Finished with my glass of bubbly, I set the empty on a passing tray. Reaching for another one, I hear a commotion near the front door. Before I can secure the glass, a spot of bright green catches my eye. Releasing the flute, it falls straight to the marble floor, shattering into a million pieces.
I hear the waiter mumbling, “Oh, I’m so sorry sir. I’ll clean that up,” but I can’t focus on that. All I can do is focus on Lexie. The woman in green. Theonlywoman in green. Hell, she’s the only woman inanykind of color. That’s why they call it the Black and White Gala. The men wear black, the women wear white. It’s symbolic and relates directly to the charity we’re here to support. “What the fuck?”
I stomp over to her. She’s smiling at me, obviously pleased with herself. She did this on purpose. She set out to embarrass me on purpose. As I get closer, I see just how ridiculous the dress is. Are those fucking snowflakes plastered all over the skirt? Stepping in front of her, I grab her elbow and pull her away from the gawking crowd into an alcove. “What the fuck are you wearing?”
“Uh, I, I’m, it’s a gown.”
I look down at her. “It’s ridiculous.”
Her eyelashes flutter as fast as a hummingbird’s. “It said to show my true colors.”
“Who said that? I didn’t tell you that. This is the Black and White Gala, for Christ’s sake. You’re supposed to wear white, not fucking bright green.”
“Oh.”
“Oh? That’s all you can say? You’re embarrassing the fuck out of me right now. You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Is this about the article? I’m sorry about that, but that’s done. Nothing we can do about that now. You just had to…”
Before I can finish, she’s pulled away from me, and she’s running. Running right to the front door and then out. “Jesus, what the ever-loving fuck?”
