Page 155 of His White Moonlight
I shrugged indifferently.“The result will be the same either way.”
He sighed, and I tucked my arm in his.
“Let’s get my drink.”
We returned to the welcome entry, and Bennett snagged a flute from a server and handed it to me.More people were being led inside by the servers, and others were gathering.One of the incoming guests caught sight of Bennett, clapped the server on the back, and left the man standing there as he strode over to us.
“Bennett, I’m glad you made it tonight.”The man’s gaze slipped to me.“And you, little one, have been the center of this man’s stories since I met him.It’s nice to finally meet you, Wrenly.You’re more stunning in person than the pictures he carries around.”
He didn’t offer a hand in greeting but tucked both into his pockets as he grinned at me.
I glanced at Bennett.“A friend?”
“This is Drokonnen Steele.We met when I was away at school.And, yes, he’s a friend on most days.”
The man snorted.“People who don’t know me call me Drokonnen.The ones who think they do call me Drake.Friends call me Konni, with a K.”
“Are you suggesting I call you Konni?”I asked.
“No,” Bennett said at the same time Konni nodded.
“Still moody, I see.I thought bringing your moonlight mate home would fix that.”He winked at me.
“What’s a moonlight mate?”I asked.
“A mate he’s loved since he was old enough to love.His first and only crush.”
My heart did that odd skip beat again.
“Potential mate,” I said, handing my drink to Bennett.“I’m going to the bathroom.Don’t follow me.”
Konni’s laughter sounded behind me, along with Bennett’s answering growl as I walked away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Weaving my way through people,I found the restroom.Another woman was in there applying lipstick.I closed myself into a stall while replaying the conversation in my head.
Bennett had pictures of me?As in plural?And what stories did he have to tell?He’d spent maybe six months around me before he left.
When I left the stall, the woman was putting away her lipstick.How much lipstick did a person need?She smiled at me in the mirror.
“Zellon’s, right?The earrings?”
I thought back to my day of shopping torture with Miranda and nodded.
“Beautiful pieces.I love their work.I believe they have several in the auction tonight.Will you be bidding?”
I flashed my practiced smile.“Anything to help raise the charity funds, right?”
Her smile turned a little chillier even as she agreed.
I watched her leave, then turned to face the sink to wash my hands.My reflection caught my eye.I didn’t look like myself with my makeup done.Covering my freckles and contouring my features to look as high-end as I’d known this place would be was a mistake, especially with the dress and jewelry Miranda picked out.The woman obviously thought I was competition for whatever jewelry she had her eye on here.
When I emerged from the bathroom, the size of the crowd in the welcome area had almost doubled.Bennett and his friend stood in the same place, but they’d turned to watch the restroom doors.
I was so focused on Bennett’s overprotective ridiculousness that I didn’t notice Lindi until she stepped in front of me.Another woman I didn’t recognize was with her.
“Wrenly?Are you sure you’re in the right place?”Lindi’s gaze swept down my length.“And in the right clothes?”
