Page 104 of Forget Me

“I’m fine.” That lie dripped easily from my tongue. I’d been lying to myself about it for two weeks.

She squeezed my arm. “Let’s go find a drink and relax. You can tell me all about it. Or not, whatever feels better for you.”

“I’d rather…not, I think.”

“That’s fine. Regardless, we’ve worked our asses off. We deserve a drink.”

We turned to face the crowd of early arrivers gathering around the high-top tables in front of the bachata band, who were setting up on stage. Which one of the men was Mateo’s coworker? If Mateo were here, he could’ve pointed him out. Introduced us at a break in the music.

But he wasn’t here. Neither to shield me nor to ease the conversation.

I missed him. Not for the hundred little things he’d done for me. For himself. I missed turning to him when I thought something was funny to see if he laughed, too. Touching him and feeling him shiver with pleasure. Swaying to the music together, trusting that he wouldn’t let us falter as long as I kept moving my feet.

Shit. Had I fallen for the big lug?

Natalie clutched my hand. “What’s the matter? You went pale all of a sudden.”

“Nothing, I…” But I had an excuse not to finish. I nodded at the older version of Natalie who sailed toward us. She wore a cranberry-red beaded gown and towed a tuxedoed Black man with close-cropped hair graying at his temples.

“Natalie.”

“Mother.” Natalie straightened. Her caring, concerned expression blanked, and a sardonic smile lifted one corner of her mouth. She turned and air-kissed her mother.

“Introduce us to your friend,” the woman commanded.

“Mother, Charles, this is Miriam Levy-Walters, the volunteer treasurer for the foundation. Her brother is Ben Levy-Walters, whom you would have met at Ben and Cooper’s engagement party in December. Mimi, this is my mother, Audrey Jones Hayes, and my stepfather, Charles Hayes.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said. Everything about Mrs. Hayes saidexpensive.Her royal confidence made me wonder if I should curtsy. Or bow? I stuck out my hand.

Mrs. Hayes took it, her skin incredibly soft. Mr. Hayes shook my hand next. “Natalie has told us so much about you.”

“She has?” I glanced at Natalie, whose cheeks pinked right at the tops.

“I’ve never seen her as happy as she’s been working on this gala,” he said. His brown eyes sparkled, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Which is ridiculous, really,” her mother said. “She’s managed dozens of them with me. Where’s your date, Natalie? I haven’t seen Daniel in ages.”

She waved a hand carelessly. “He’s here somewhere. Probably making a deal in line for drinks.”

“He never stops working.” Mrs. Hayes nodded in approval, reminding me of my own mom. Suddenly, endless work sounded exhausting. I needed a drink. And a chair.

“Never stops working? That doesn’t sound like any fun.” Jackson Jones strolled up to us, two glasses of champagne in his hand. He handed one to me. “Mimi, you’ve worked your ass off on this gala, and it’s time to sit back and enjoy it.”

“Thank you.” My face and neck heated, all the way down to where my boobs disappeared into the low neckline.

“I hear you worked hard, too, Nat.” An Amazon of a woman, dark-skinned, thin, and breathtakingly beautiful, stepped up beside Jackson and handed her second glass to Natalie.

“Jamila!” Mrs. Hayes said. “Such a pleasure to see you. Natalie, say thank you.”

“Thank you,” Natalie rasped. She swallowed. Her eyes had gone huge and round. I’d never seen her shaken like that. What was happening?

“Nice dress,” Jamila said, her gaze trailing down the low neckline. “I can’t believe you went and grew up on us. I remember when you used to come visit Jackson at college. You always wore the cutest ruffled dresses, and your hair was in pigtails.”

Natalie twisted one long curl around her finger. “That was a long time ago.”

Jamila barked out a laugh. “Don’t I know it. Remember that time when…”

I didn’t realize I’d stopped listening to gaze out over the gathering crowd, hunting for a pair of strong shoulders and careless blond waves, until Mr. Hayes’ voice landed low in my ear.

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