Raoul munched on an olive after he drained his glass. “Well, Bailey is here, checking with the security guys every ten seconds, so he must be coming.”
I scanned the faces until I found the blond head of James Bailey. He was in a dark suit, talking on the phone and nodding at one of the circulating security guards. A warm feeling of certainty washed over me. “You’re right.” Mike wouldn’t miss my birthday for the world.
Amanda’s elbow nudged me in the ribs. “Kyle is coming.”
My gaze followed him as he set out toward me through the crowd. “So?”
A wry smile crossed Amanda’s glossy lips. “So be nice. Tonight is about you and him. Only you and him.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re more concerned about Mike showing up rather than appreciating your gorgeous boyfriend who busted his ass to arrange all this for you.”
I winced. “He invited my mother.”
“Shit. Are you fighting? Trust me, you don’t want to be fighting tonight.” She turned before I got a chance to ask her what she meant. “Hey, Kyle. This party is over the top. Maggie’s been waiting for you to dance with her.” Her eyes evaded my glare and stared at Raoul. “We’re going to dance, too.”
Raoul patted Kyle’s shoulder and winked at me before he danced his way with Amanda to the bouncing bodies.
What the fuck is going on with everybody tonight?I glanced sideways to see Kyle’s hand held out, asking me to dance. I sighed, my eyes traveling up to meet his. “I’m mad at you.”
“I’m sorry.” He pulled me to him and kissed me. “Still mad?”
“Yes.”
He kissed me again, this time his tongue was active. “And now?” He grinned, instinctively wiping lipstick off his lips with his thumb. “Please, say yes, so I can do this all night.”
Thank God I chose to wear one of those super stay lipsticks tonight.I finally took his hand. Ruined or not, this was my birthday party after all. It’d be a shame, if I let it go to waste. “Let’s dance.”
Scene29
Mike
Mike sat on the plane, his chair reclined and a drink untouched before him. He watched the ice shrink in the glass, counting the seconds until he’d see Maggie again. He’d already shaved, showered, and dressed for the party. A black, velvet blazer, a beige polo shirt, selvedge denim jeans, and Maggie’s recent gifts for accessories. All so he could go straight to her after he landed.
Fifteen minutes later, he was escorted in a black SUV to the party. The instant he went inside the club, he was mobbed. In the dizzying whirl that should have been life and breath to him, Mike plastered his industry smile as he searched for Maggie’s face.
James shoved his way through the crowd and led Mike, with the help of a security guard, to his reserved table.
“Where’s Maggie?” Mike yelled over the music.
“She was dancing a few minutes ago.” James turned his head right and left, looking. “Uh…maybe the ladies’ room.”
Two flustered girls stopped at the table and asked Mike for his autograph. He momentarily slipped into his people-pleasing mode and signed their papers. When he lifted his eyes, Andrea was coming his way.
Since when is Andrea invited to Maggie’s birthdays?He stood, his jaws tight, and held out his hand, hoping she’d take the hint and wouldn’t hug or kiss him.
She slapped his hand away, gave him a hug, and kissed him on both cheeks. If they weren’t in public, he’d push her off him and tell her never to touch him again, but he wouldn’t want to make a scene. “You’re still fired,” he whispered in her ear.
With her teeth flashed, she greeted James, as if Mike had said nothing, and took a seat.
“I’m gonna grab some drinks. Do you want something?” James asked.
“Sure,” Mike answered, eyeing the almost empty glass in Andrea’s hand. “Want a refill?”
“Yes, please, but something stronger than this cheap champagne.”
When James excused himself, Mike glanced at her. “Crashing the party?”
