Page 41 of Just a Little Crush

“Wicked girl,” he said huskily, a sinful smile curving his lips. “You’ll pay for that later.”

I grinned unrepentantly. “I certainly hope so.”

I grabbed my clutch and he took my hand, escorting me down the elevator and out of the building to where Dylan was waiting to drive us to the event. We settled into the back seat, sitting side by side, with him still holding my hand, his thumb absently stroking across my knuckles.

“So, is there anything specific I need to know about tonight?” I asked once we’d merged out into traffic toward the Meridian Hotel, where this evening’s event was being held.

He thought for a moment, then turned his head to look at me. “So, I already mentioned that Alyssa is going to be there. Last Sunday, when I dropped off Owen for the week, she told me she was dating an architect and he was coming as her date, not that I give a damn what she does in her personal life, so long as it doesn’t adversely affect Owen.”

His tone was harsh and I understood why. His concern for Owen superseded anything else. I also had a feeling she’d told him about the new man in her life, most likely to make Caleb jealous, but it was clear that he was not the least bit envious.

“She’s unpredictable, as you’ve seen, so we’ll just keep our distance,” he went on. “The ballroom at the Meridian is huge, and we’re seated with the Sterling family, who are all there to support Fallon. She’s contributing pieces of her artwork for the auction. Since she’s an artist herself, and owns a gallery downtown, she’s a big advocate of art programs, grants, and community-based art projects that support emerging artists.”

Having met Fallon through Raven, who was her sister-in-law, I smiled. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the art at the auction. I’m not a connoisseur by any stretch, but it’s fun to see all the different styles and how each artist expresses themselves.”

We arrived at the hotel a short while later and with my arm in Caleb’s, we headed into the ballroom, which had been transformed into a stunning vision of elegance. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high, vaulted ceilings, while tables adorned with towering floral centerpieces and flickering candles created a warm, sophisticated ambiance. The air was filled with the soft melodies of a string quartet and everywhere I looked was a sea of tuxedos and jewel-toned ballgowns.

Yes, I was out of my element at this charity gala, but there was also something exhilarating about experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime—for me—occasion, and I soaked it all in, enjoying everything about the breathtaking glamour and grandeur of the venue.

We met up with Remy and Raven and spent the next hour mingling with other guests while I sipped on champagne and Caleb opted for a Dirty Dare scotch, neat. Raven and I chatted with Chloe while the men talked, and Samantha was there since she was married to Fallon’s brother, Dex.

I couldn’t deny that it felt amazing being on Caleb’s arm, how he introduced me to people I didn’t know and how they automatically accepted me because of who I was with—a man with wealth and power, who exuded such an undeniable magnetism it was difficult not to be drawn to him.

Never once did I feel self-conscious. I didn’t feel like an imposter. I felt like I belonged, and for tonight, I wholeheartedly embraced the feeling.

At the end of the cocktail hour, I glanced over at Raven and saw her looking at something, or someone, outside of our group, her eyes narrowed enough to make me curious to follow her line of vision straight to…Alyssa, who was surrounded by two other couples. The man standing next to her, whom she had her arm looped through his was a good-looking man in his mid-forties—her prestigious architect date, no doubt.

Of course I’d known it was only a matter of time before I saw her, and it was clear by the way she was speaking to other women, and how they glanced our way and laughed, that she was probably talking about me.

“She’s such a bitch,” Raven said, a little heat in her tone.

I glanced back at my friend, seeing her pursed lips and the glare she cast Alyssa’s way—looking like an adorable, protective little pit bull terrier on my behalf.

“As long as she keeps her distance, I’m fine,” I said, and I truly, surprisingly, meant that. I wasn’t going to let a few catty women ruin my evening with Caleb, at such a spectacular event.

Raven met my gaze, her eyes flashing a little fire. “If she stirs up any trouble for you, I have no issues kicking her ass.”

I laughed. “Oh, yeah, I’m sure that would go overreallywell at an event like this, but thank you. It’s the thought that counts.”

Raven smirked. “She’s probably beyond jealous that you look fucking fantastic in that one-of-a-kind gown that she knows Caleb bought for you.”

Before I could reply, I felt Caleb’s arm around my waist as he pulled me close to his side in a delightfully assertive manner for anyone to see. Then, he surprised me further by brushing his lips across my cheek. “Raven is right, you know,” he murmured against my ear, establishing more intimacy between us. “Youdolook fucking fantastic.”

His words thrilled me. I didn’t even care if the sweet kiss and his possessive actions were for show. Tonight, I let myself pretend it was all real.

Dinner was announced, a five-course meal followed by a few speeches from various benefactors in the art world, thanking guests for their generous donations and encouraging them to support the program further by bidding on the artwork at the silent auction.

Caleb and I headed in that direction, while the string quartet switched out for more lively dance music. We strolled through the area, taking in all the pieces of different artwork, from classic and modern paintings to elaborate sculptures to photorealism and more, discussing some of the offerings along the way. I found myself fascinated by all the various aesthetics and styles, but the one piece I was drawn to the most was Fallon’s bright and colorful pop art.

I stopped Caleb in front of her large, framed painting with colorful hearts around the wordLOVEthat seemed to leap off the canvas in a three-dimensional technique. I glanced at the piece of paper on the table in front of Fallon’s artwork. The bid was already up over seventy thousand, a drop in the bucket for any of these wealthy guests in attendance, but at least it was all going to a good cause.

Caleb studied the piece for a moment, head tilted to the side, before saying, “That’s quite…loud.”

I laughed at what he deemed a polite description. I knew it was nothing against Fallon, personally, but Caleb’s tastes were much more…refined.

“It’s funky and fun and very cool,” I corrected him, because while I could appreciate all the other artwork in the room, to me they were boring in comparison, not that I’d say that out loud. “Thismakes me smile.”

“Well, I do love your smile,” he said, clearly trying to find a positive to the conversation.

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