Page 54 of Summer Ever After
“Not that I know of.” Ramona’s eyes were glued to the two gorgeous women.
Trey tied up the boat and stood between the two of them, offering his arms to both. They hooked their hands through his arms and the three of them strode towards the tent. I couldn’t figure it out, there was something familiar about the mystery woman. I shook my head. I didn’t know any shaved-head supermodel types, maybe she seemed familiar because she was walking with my sister.
The auctioneer resumed the sale, his nasal voice echoing across the bay as someone bought a weekend at an NHL player’s backyard rink for fifty thousand dollars.
With the auction finished, the orchestra took their seats and classical music reverberated through the tent. The sun had set and the staff had been busy lighting all the candles during the auction. If people thought the venue was pretty in the daylight, it was drop-dead stunning as darkness settled in. Underneath the starry Windswan summer night, a sparkly winter wonderland made mostly from flower petals and crystal, cast a silver glow across the glassy calm water.
The two women swept into the tent and made their way across the empty dance floor. It was as though two of the most famous people in the world had walked into the party, but it was just my sister and her friend. Even the members of the orchestra’s eyes were drawn from their sheet music to watch the ethereal beauty of the two women walk to the VIP table.
Dinner was grass-fed bison from a local rancher served with truffles and local vegetables. Dessert was crème brulee, each portion fired individually as it was delivered. My father sat at the table with Jessica, my cousin Bronwyn, and her family, and the mystery woman.
I couldn’t stop looking at her.
I ate my dinner in the kitchen. The only mistake I’d made in the entire evening, was not assigning myself a seat in the ballroom. I didn’t really care, and I was starving after running around all afternoon. I practically inhaled the bison steak and ate my crème brulee without the caramelized top.
Tracy leaned against the stainless steel table next to me. “It looks like the shareholders are going to be happy Mr. Starling.”
I had switched to scotch and held up my tumbler. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Yes. You could have. Stop selling yourself short, Mr. Starling. This is the best event I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve been to coronations.”
“Thank you, Tracy.” I wrapped my arms around her. “I’m so glad it’s almost over.”
“Me too.” She had tears in her eyes as she laughed. “As long as nobody falls in the lake, I think we can call this a success.”
“At this point, I think it would be funny.”
“It would definitely not be funny.” She crossed her arms. “Don’t Jinx things. Your job is done. You need to go and mingle now.”
I groaned and reached for a second crème brulee. “Do I have to?”
She pushed me out of the kitchen. “Yes. That’s the next part of your job. Schmooze like your life depends on it.”
Grabbing my drink, I left the kitchen and followed the sound ofMaroon Fiveto the main tent. I spotted my sister immediately and headed in her direction, but someone grabbed my arm. “Mr. Starling.”
“Yes.” I turned. It was Christina, the woman from the courthouse.
“My daughter Chloe would like to thank you for the ticket.” She elbowed the younger version of herself.
“Thank you.” Chloe rubbed her arm.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying your evening, and that you’re feeling better.”
Chloe’s forehead crinkled. “Feeling better?”
I knew it. Her mom had made up the treatment story. The bad vibe I got from her multiplied tenfold at that moment. Christina plastered a smile on her face. She either didn’t know I’d made them, or didn’t care. “I hope that you save a dance for the prettiest girl in the place.”
“I will.” I nodded. “It was nice to meet you, Chloe.” I shook her hand and left the two of them standing in the crowd. I wanted to ask security to remove them, but didn’t have the energy. Out of the ten free tickets I’d handed out, only two of them had been a mistake.
The band switched to a ballad and couples started swaying on the dance floor. After what felt like half an hour, I made it through the crowd of people. Like a bride at a wedding, I had to stop to talk to every person. The crowd parted as I reached the space where I’d last seen Jess. Her friend was standing next to her. The cape was draped over her left arm, revealing a muscular back. Her head was completely shaved and diamond earrings hung from her earlobes next to her swan-like neck. There was something magical about her. I hadn’t been intrigued by a woman in a year, maybe this was the night I would finally forget about the woman I met on Sunflower Lane.
FIFTEEN
DAISY
I couldn’t believethat I was being paid to get dressed up in a designer ball gown and hang out at a black-tie event with a friend. At first, I was worried that Christina and Chloe would freak out when they saw me, but both had looked at me several times, stared even, and there wasn’t a flicker of recognition in either of their dark eyes.
Mrs. Graham had worked her magic with Mrs. Starling’s dress, and it fit like it was made for me. Tara leaned over my shoulder as she removed my plate and whispered, “You look beautiful, Rosie.”
