Page 42 of Bling

Her face went red. “That was a shitty thing to say, Garrett.”

He winced. “It was. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Forgive me. It won’t happen again.”

When she didn’t respond, he picked up both hands and squeezed. “Please, Isabelle? Let’s just have an enjoyable night out. I shouldn’t have kissed you on camera like that.”

She dropped her head and nodded. Then, to his surprise, she lifted her face to his and smiled. “I do like kissing you, so I guess it wasn’t all bad.”

He laughed. “Delightful girl. Let’s go find our table.”

It took them nearly half an hour to make their way through security and across the large ballroom to their table near the front. People wanting to bend Garrett’s ear constantly stopped them. It was the reason he came to these things, to stay sharp and connected to the politicians he often worked with, but today, he was in a hurry to get Isabelle to a table so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable. She handled being on Garrett’s arm well, though, and they were soon at their table where he pulled her chair out for her.

“Who are we sitting with?” Isabelle asked as she looked around the still empty table.

Garrett grinned. “I see some of our table guests coming this way now.”

A familiar couple approached, and the woman wrapped her arms around Garrett’s middle.

“Hello Emily,” he said, bending to kiss her cheek. “Have you met Isabelle?”

“We met one weekend in Colorado.”

Emily Eastman turned to her and held out her hand. “It’s good to see you again, Isabelle.”

Garrett let the two women chatter while he turned to David and shook his hand. “How are you, Garrett?” he asked.

“I’m doing well. Staying busy as always. I hear you’re back in California at the head of Eastman Enterprises again.”

David grinned. “I am. We came back to Texas for this event and Emily’s graduation down in Houston. Since my diagnosis and treatment, we’ve gotten involved in a lot of cancer treatment charities.”

Garrett smiled and motioned toward the chairs. “Let’s sit.”

Someone in charge of the event came to the podium then. “Ladies and gentlemen, if we could please have you all take your seats before the president’s arrival.”

There was a loud commotion that slowly quieted as conversations ceased and people began moving to their tables.

Ten minutes later, the familiar melody of Hail to the Chief came over the sound system.

“Ladies and gentlemen! The President of the United States of America.” Isabelle’s eyes went wide, and she whirled her head in Garrett’s direction. “Seriously?” she hissed. “You didn’t tell me the goddamned president was going to be here.”

Garrett looked at her apologetically as he clapped. “Sorry, Doll. He lost his brother to cancer when they were both children. He comes every year.”

Isabelle just shook her head but clapped along with everyone else.

Dinner flew by in jovial conversation, and Garrett was glad David and Emily were able to join them at their table. Having familiar faces helped put Isabelle at ease.

Halfway through the meal, a staff member approached and whispered in his ear.

“There’s a phone call for Miss Alvarado, Sir.”

Garrett frowned but stood and helped her from her chair, making excuses to the table. Together, they walked to the lobby where someone was waiting with a phone.

“Hello?” she answered. Garrett could hear hesitation in her voice. Then he watched her face go pale. “Which hospital is he in? No. Stay at the apartment. Keep trying to call Grandpa.”

She handed the phone back to the staffer. “Someone beat up Uncle Henry outside the warehouse as he was leaving. He’s in the hospital.”

“Fuck,” Garrett swore. “I’ll call the pilot.”

“How did the girls know where to call me?”

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