“I’m sure he will.”
“You boys go ahead.” Savannah released my arm and made a shooing motion. “I need to check in with the coordinator before I’m off duty.”
“Let’s get food. It gives people purpose.”
Percy led me to the tables while I scanned the room. This place was as crowded as the others, but for some reason, everyone seemed in a better mood. Maybe it was the warm atmosphere. The holidays were right around the corner, and they cheered most people.
We filled small plates with candied fruit slices and pumpkin-shaped pastries. Percy was right. Holding something gave us just cause. As if the tables checked our invites, and we were nowsupposedto be here.
Having Percy at my side also gave me confidence. I wasn’t the oddball out this time.
We mingled. A few times, I had to rescue Percy from being stepped on. I wasn’t as small as him, but I’d had plenty of practice looking out for younger siblings and cousins. Percy was only seventeen and not much taller than five feet. He looked like a kid too, which everyone noticed. Everyone except Percy.
Savannah made a turn around the room with us, then excused herself again. The last time, so she said. This event was asponsorship or donations from companies supporting smaller businesses. Far fewer women were here, but unfortunately, Luke’s momma was.
I’d never forget her face or insincere smile.
“Who is that?” Percy asked.
Apparently, I was horrible at stalking in secret. “That’s his mother. She’s a right piece of work.”
“Then he must be here.” Percy checked left and right as if he’d be able to find Luke among the guests. “What’s he look like?”
“Hot.”
“Well, that narrows it dowww—ow.” Percy stumbled as someone backed into him. His plate was jostled, and though he maintained his hold, the food fell to the floor. “Oh, man. I wanted those.”
I chuckled as I steadied him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He dropped his chin. “My food is not.”
“We’ll get you more.” I glanced at the man who had yet to turn around and acknowledge his blunder. “Excuse me,” I said to him. He didn’t move, just kept talking to whoever. I tapped his shoulder. “Excuse me, sir.”
Finally, he turned, and fuck my life, because apparently, fate had me on a crash course with the Dorset family. The man, who glared down his perfect nose, was the spitting image of Luke, just an older version. I dropped my jaw and gaped before I could recover my wits.
He held his crystal glass in front of my face. “I’m all good. I don’t need a refresh.”
Slapped with reality, I shook my head and reared back. “I don’t fuckin’ work here.”
The man blinked, then glanced at his companions, who had taken notice before he took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. “If you’re aiming for a donation, you’ve got a helluva way of introducing yourself.”
As tall as Luke, he had a few inches on me in my dress shoes, but I was ready to buck up, maybe even pick a fight. I’d been in a whirlwind of emotions for a few weeks, and this prick had just given me a focus, an outlet. However, a shaking hand twisted in the back of my jacket, reminding me I wasn’t alone.
I didn’t know Percy’s full story, not like Tate did, maybe even Dorian too, but he didn’t like being around hostile men. He could be a brat given the right setting, and we loved him for it, but other times, he withdrew. Letting out my steam wasn’t as important as watching out for him.
Ignoring the insults the man had aimed at me, I said, “You bumped into my friend.” I nodded toward Percy, who half hid behind me. “Made him drop his food, Mr. Dorset.”
He narrowed his eyes, then glanced at Percy, then to the floor, before glaring harder at me. “Have we met?”
“Absolutely not, but I met your wife.”
The man’s jaw ticked, and then he swallowed and lifted his chin. “I don’t have much sway over my wife’s philanthropic efforts. What do you want from me?”
This guy … “I’m not here for charity. I want you to apologize.”
He glanced at Percy again. I opened my mouth, ready to tell the man not to look at him, to look at me, but just then, Luke appeared out of nowhere.
I half shuffled back a step, Percy moving with me with a tiny gasp. All eyes in the immediate area were on us, and I had to force mine off Luke. This was not how I wanted to see him again, going toe-to-toe with his daddy.
