Evan laughed. “Yes, cousin. She does look extraordinary tonight, doesn’t she? Seems it’s my lucky day.”
Steven scowled. “No one asked you.”
“Hi Anne.” Ellen arrived at Steven’s side. “I love your dress.”
“Thanks Ellen. I like yours too. That cobalt blue is one of my favorite colors.” Anne scrunched her shoulders in discomfort, unable to shake the feeling that she’d betrayed her friend. Ellen would’ve been heartbroken to know Steven had kissed her in the elevator a few hours earlier.
“Shall we get that drink now?” Evan led Anne away, throwing a smile over his shoulder. “See you later, Stevie.”
As she walked she could feel Steven's eyes throwing ice daggers at her bare back. “Thanks, Evan. I really needed to get away.”
“I wanted to get away from Stevie as well. And we really can get a drink if you like.”
“I’m not really thirsty yet. But you can get something.”
“Why don’t we dance, instead?”
Anne remembered another of Johanna’s instructions. Dance as much as you can. But don’t dance with Steven.
“Thanks, Evan. I’d love to.”
The band was playing a slow song, and numerous couples were on the dance floor. Evan and Anne moved smoothly into the undulating group. From a distance she could see Steven in an intense conversation with Gram. He didn’t appear very happy, but Gram seemed unmoved.
“You really do look great, tonight. This dress is… quite enticing.” Anne blushed as his gaze fell down to the sheer silk panels on the side.
“Fortunately, there’s practically nothing to show through that lace. Otherwise, this dress would be way too enticing.’”
Evan chuckled. “I can’t believe how funny you are. Stevie’s an idiot to be with that other girl, when he could be with you.”
“Mr. Gherring’s my boss and that’s all. I’m not his type.”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it, because you’re certainly my type.” He pulled her a little closer to him, his hands on her lower back, fingering the beading on the sheer silk.
His ministrations felt a bit intrusive. Had she given him the wrong impression. “Actually, Even, you need to know I’m not anyone’s type. I don’t sleep around.”
“I hear you saying that, but this dress says something else.” He slipped his hands to the sides of her dress, his thumbs brushing the peek-a-boo material.
“Stop it!” She clamped her arms down on his hands. “Or I’ll jam these four-inch spike heels into your foot.”
“Sorry, sorry!” He lifted his palms in a defensive posture. “I promise to be good.”
Though hands slid back to their proper place on her back, Anne was uneasy in his arms. Yet after her scolding, he acted the perfect gentleman. As they continued to dance and chat, she began to relax, and almost forgot all about her boss.
Then Evan’s eyes focused behind her. He released a groan of annoyance.
“What a bother. Stevie’s coming to the dance floor. Let’s get that drink now.” He led her off to the side. “What would you like?”
“I don’t know, I don’t drink much. Just something where I can’t taste the alcohol.”
He returned with two drinks and handed her one.
“What is this?”
“It’s a Lemon Drop Martini,” he said. “I think you’ll like it.”
She took a sip. “Wow, this is good.”
She spotted Steven on the dance floor with Ellen, but his gaze was focused in Anne’s direction. His eyes seemed to reach past her carefully constructed defenses. Could he read her mind? Did he realize how much he affected her? How much he’d confused her? She took another gulp of her drink. As her stomach growled, she realized she hadn’t had anything to eat all day.