I hugged him briefly. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Happy birthday,” Andrea said, a glass of champagne in her hand, a sickening smirk on her lips. The words sounded like a tease, as if she were saying:I knew you didn’t want me here, and that was why I came.
I eyed her without blinking. “Thanks.”
“You’re still showing those thighs.” Andrea took a sip from her glass. “I admire your confidence.”
Dad sighed while I snickered as I noticed Andrea’s cleavage. The green dress showed an incredibly daring amount of skin. “And I admire your…failure to dress for your age.”
He frowned. “Maggie, come on.”
“Seriously, Dad? Why’s she even here?”
“Your mother was thrilled to receive your invitation,” Dad said.
I looked back at Andrea. “Oh, it wasn’t from me. I think you already know that.”
“I do.” Andrea smirked again, her eyes on approaching Kyle. “The invitation was from my soon-to-be son.”
I huffed, my blood boiling. I opened my mouth to speak, but Kyle greeted my parents with enthusiastic handshakes.
Andrea held her hands up to Kyle’s face, and he bent for her to kiss his cheeks. “You look ravishing.”
“You too, Mrs. Dawson.”
“Oh, please call me Mom.”
I rolled my eyes to Dad, chewing on my fingernail. Dad squeezed my hand gently. “Kyle called and told us he had a surprise for you, and he’d love it if we were there. But it’s your party, baby. If you want us to leave, we’ll go,” he whispered in my ear.
“Of course not.” I gave him another hug. “Thank you so much for coming.” I narrowed my eyes at Kyle. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go greet my guests.”
Kyle slipped his arm through mine. “Maggie—”
“Not now, Kyle.” I jerked my arm away from his and weaved my way through the crowd of gyrating people.
I sped to the bar where I spotted Amanda and Raoul. “Guys.”
Amanda turned, her sequined dress shimmering under the lights. “Maggie,” she squeaked, her arms already squeezing me. “Looking good, girl. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks. Another gift from Milan.” I motioned for Raoul to get me a drink, too.
Amanda’s jaw dropped. “Fuck. I’m so jealous of you right now.”
I barely smiled as Raoul arrived with our drinks.
“Where’s Gennaro?” he asked casually, as if he had known the man for years.
“Gennaro?You’ve seen the guy once, for two minutes, and you’re BFFs now?” I taunted.
“We connected immediately. He said he loved my work, and we shook hands. If that’s not friendship, I don’t know what is.”
I couldn’t find my sense of humor, yet Amanda broke into a laugh, spilling vodka on the floor. He glared at us for a second, and then he joined the laughter.
I opened my clutch to check my phone. The clock on the screen showed it was 10:06. No messages, still.
“Don’t fret. He’s coming,” Amanda said.
Wrapping my tongue around the straw, I shrugged.
