“I did go to court because they sued me.The judge ruled against me on the case.He’s a friend of theirs.”
“They stole your designs then sued you?That’s outrageous!I won’t let them get away with that.”
“Then you’ll help me?”
“Don’t you worry.Let me see what I can do,” she says, then she smiles.“You look lovely tonight.Are you and Locke…”
“Not at all.”
She pats my hand.“Well, he’s richer and a lot nicer than Doug.You should date him.”
I’m surprised to hear that.I thought she wanted her daughter to be with Locke.
“I can’t date Locke.”
“But you’re clearly interested.I noticed the way you looked at him.”
I wince.I thought I’d hidden it well enough.“I learned a hard lesson thanks to Doug.It would be difficult for me to date out of my economic circle again.”
“That’s silly, dear.Money doesn’t give someone character any more than a lack of it takes it away.I’ve known the Montclairs all my life and except for the father, that family is wonderful.”
She pats my hand again.“If you’re interested in Locke, then you should let him know.Ignore his reputation.He’s not the type of man who’d play with your heart.”
“I don’t think he’d want to date me.”Not after I admit I’ve lied to him from the start.
“You won’t know until you try and who knows?You could end up marrying him.”She makes a shooing motion.“Go on back to the party.I’ll make a few phone calls then come find you before you leave.”
“Thank you.”Feeling relieved and hopeful, I return to the party and search for Locke but don’t see him.
There are a lot more people here now than there were when I first left to speak to Heloise.
“Drink?”A tall woman with dark blonde hair offers me a glass of champagne.
I take it.“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.I saw you talking to my mother, so I figured you had to be someone worth getting to know.”She grins.
“Heloise is your mother?”
“She is.I’m Poppy and oh, shit.Here comes Locke Montclair.”
“You know him?”
“His grandmother and my father are pushing me to marry him.Or any one of Montclairs.I’m a valuable pawn in the business world.”
“I see.And you don’t want to?”I hate the idea of her or anyone else marrying Locke.
She makes a face.“God, no.I don’t want to marry any of them.But I haven’t told my father because going against his wishes isn’t worth the drama.”
Locke reaches us and Poppy blanks her expression.She tips her head.“Locke,” she says demurely.
“Poppy,” he greets.
I glance at his face and blink.His expression is stony.I guess seeing the woman he’s had pushed on him is the reason.
“You should try the food.Mother hired a new caterer and the food is wonderful,” Poppy says.
“Actually, please give my regards to her.I need to leave.”
