“He’s definitely playing some kind of game I don’t understand. He kissed me again. Today, on the elevator. He kissed me, even though he’s dating Ellen. I feel like I cheated with him!”
“I think we must teach Mr. Gherring a lesson.”
“I don’t know. I’m not good at playing games. And I don’t want to mess up his relationship with Ellen. I’m not that sort of person.”
“I understand, dear, but he needs to learn he can’t play with women’s emotions. Ellen woul
d want him to learn this lesson, right?”
“I guess so. But I’m not very good at this sort of thing.”
“It will be easy. Do you have a sexy dress?”
Anne chuckled. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Wonderful! Now you need to do as exactly as I tell you…”
Anne was concentrating on steeling her nerves. She barely heard Gram chatting on the way to the party. She’d managed to delay their departure so she could make a grand entrance. That’s what Johanna had said—to make a grand entrance. But she wouldn’t look very grand if she were shaking like a leaf.
She went over the plan in her head. She had to find someone to flirt with, since Henri wouldn’t be there. Johanna said Steven wouldn’t learn his lesson if she stood on the side, alone like a forlorn rejected potted plant. She wasn’t sure how, but she definitely had to avoid looking like a potted plant.
Approaching the door, Gram said, “Let me go in first, dear. I want to make a grand entrance.”
Anne thought maybe she should watch to see how it was done. But then someone might see her. No, she’d just have to wing it. She waited for what seemed like an hour, but was actually only about two minutes.
Her spiked heels were four inches high. She hoped she’d acquired some grace during her time in New York City or this grand entrance might be a magnificent fall.
She stood inside the doorway and surveyed the crowd, as Johanna had directed her. “You are a princess, surveying your kingdom,” Johanna had said. “Find your mark! Any handsome man without an escort.”
Wouldn’t you know the first person she saw was Steven. She quickly shifted her gaze, but panic had already set in, making her head swim. Not a good thing, when combined with four-inch heels in an already-clumsy package.
She rested her hand on the doorframe to keep her balance. Maybe she should turn around and escape before she made a fool of herself.
“Wow Anne! You look amazing” Evan Sterling materialized beside her and offered his elbow. “Can I get you a drink?”
Anne smiled, grasping onto his arm with relief. “You don’t know how glad I am to see you. I could really use your arm to make sure I don’t trip and fall in these heels.”
Evan laughed. “Anne, you’re like a breath of fresh air. I don’t remember meeting another woman so unaffected.”
“I’m not very princess-like—that’s for sure. I don’t know what Johanna was thinking.”
“Who’s Johanna?”
“Never mind. She’s just a friend.” Her ankle started to turn and she had to lean into him for balance. “Sorry. I think I’ll get better after I walk a little bit? Why are you at the party? Do you work for Gherring Inc.?”
“Gram invited me.” Evan gave a low chuckle. “Steven will probably be livid when he discovers me. But it’s so going to be worth it.” His eyes widened as he peered over her shoulder. “Speak of the devil. Here he comes.”
“What are you doing here, Evan?” said Steven, with unveiled anger.
“Hello cousin. Great party you have here.”
Anne swirled around to face him, tucking her hand around Evan’s elbow. “He’s my date. I’m allowed to bring a date, right?”
His expression was stormy. “Where’s Henri?”
“Change of plans. By the way, where’s your date? You’re still dating Ellen, aren’t you? After our little ‘talk’ on the elevator, I wasn’t sure.”
But he wasn’t listening. He was staring… at her dress. Or at the missing parts of it. “What… what did you say?” With great difficulty Anne resisted the urge to cover the sheer parts with her hands. He tore his gaze away from the silk beaded panels and locked eyes with her.