Page 43 of Brooklynaire
“That’s not true,” I insist. “It’s just that the ones I like don’t seem to notice me.”Fuck. I shouldn’t really say things like that anymore to Alex. When did everything get so complicated? “Alex,” I try. “Is there something you needed to talk about? I’lllisten.”
She gives me an appraising glance. “Too late. Another time, Iguess.”
I’ve fucked everything up,apparently.
“Our donors are arriving,” she points out. “Time to hustle some cash out of Florida’s glitterati.” She straightens her spine. “You’d better hustle some dollars, too, Kattenberger. Just because I lost our bet doesn’t mean you get to loaf around drinking Scotch on mydime.”
“I can raise more than you in the firsthour.”
She lifts her chin. “No, youcan’t.”
I’ll bet you a dinner at Nobu…Before I can get the words out, she glides off toward an elderly man in a tux, whose eyes light up at herapproach.
This will be the last quiet moment of the evening, so I ask the bartender to freshen my drink before I hurl myself into the breach. Lauren glides up in a sleek bluedress.
“You look stunning,” I tell her, hoping my goalie will notice. Those two need to work out their differences before the conclusion of the playoffs separates themagain.
“Thank you,” she says. “You’re looking dapper yourself. Do you needanything?”
“Just the usual. If somebody is monopolizing me, think up a reason to drag me away. I think I just challenged Alex to a duel—who can raise the most cash in the nexthour.”
“Of course you did. Hey—that guy over there with the silver tie? He’s a Florida senator,right?”
I glance over Lauren’s shoulder. “Good eye, buddy. I should talk to him about netneutrality.”
“Get in there.” She smacks me on the butt with her handbag. “I’ll get a drink and follow you in a minute. Just do me afavor?”
“Yeah?” My gaze wanders to the hockey players in the corner. One of them is trying to convince Becca todance.
“Don’t stare at Rebecca’s cleavage the whole time you’re chatting with the senator. He’llnotice.”
“Jesus,” I curse, looking away. I don’t know who I’m more pissed at—Alex and Lauren for butting in, or myself for being so fuckingobvious.
“Jesus yourself,” Lauren says grumpily. “Why do you think it’s okay to stage an intervention inmylife, yet I have to pretend not to notice all the things wrong in yours? Ignoring all your bullshit gets old.” Her face changes before I can even reply. “Senator! What can we get you todrink?”
I paste on a smile and greet the man, while Lauren shoots me one last dirtylook.
The women in my life exist to put me in my place. It’s a goddamnfact.
12
Rebecca
Nate’s partyoffers terrific people-watching. There are basketball players in custom-fitted tuxes that span their lanky frames, and diamond-clad women in designer gowns. I’ve never even heard of most of the labels these women are comparing. Florida’s glitterati, in all its finery, has come out to tonight’sspectacle.
Oddly, the fancy people at this party aren’t nearly as interested in the passed hors d’oeuvres as Georgia and I are. “If you see the spring roll guy again, wave me down,” my best friend insists. “I have to go chase that journalist away from Castro, who’s lookingtipsy.”
“Will do,” I promise her. “You want another glass of bubbly? I think I’ll get adrink.”
“Sure!” she calls over her shoulder. “Back in ajif!”
I survey the scene, trying to decide which bar line is the shortest. This is a great party, made even greater by the fact that I’m the only one here without an agenda. Georgia isn’t working too hard, thankfully. But the players are tasked with mingling for a couple of hours, charming the guests who paid a thousand smackers to meetthem.
Meanwhile, Nate and Alex work the room for charitable contributions.Separately, I notice. Even Lauren is on the job, steering important people toward Nate, while also ducking herex.
I’m the only one who’s here just for fun and finger foods. And eye candy. I’m admiring the two-dozen basketball players in attendance. They’re easy to spot—they tower over everyone else. Seriously, their tailors must have to order their tuxedo pants from a specialsupplier.
I chat up a few of these giants, but they make me feel even shorter than usual. And it’s hard to deny that I’m getting pretty tired as the night wearson.
