It’s nice to meet you. I’m sorry your father is a jackass, but he is still my boss. Or maybe I could tell him I had a headache and let him escort me home, so we could both get out of the party. If he was being forced to attend, he might be game for bugging out. Perhaps I could talk him into taking me somewhere I could show off my dress.
“We’re here, Ms. Rogers.”
Hank’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I looked toward the entrance of the Mandarin Oriental. It was a beautiful hotel, and I wasn’t the least bit surprised that Morrison, Becker, and Gline had chosen to hold their private Christmas party here. I was going to have to ask Wendy where the peasants were having their Christmas party. I knew it wouldn’t be here.
Hank helped me out of the car and handed the keys to valet before he turned back to me and held out his hand.
“Why, are you escorting me to the party, Hank?” I asked in a flirty voice.
He smiled, and it was then I noticed how handsome he truly was. He was older than me, in his mid-thirties, maybe six feet, with brown hair that was sprinkled with blond highlights. His eyes looked to be a light blue or gray.
“I am, if you don’t mind.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t mind at all. The last thing I want to do is walk into that party alone.”
He winked. “I wouldn’t let that happen.”
I squeezed his arm, and we made our way into the hotel. I had to admit I loved the looks I got from people as we walked through the lobby. Hank wasn’t in a tux, but he was dressed in a very nicely tailored suit. As we entered the Oriental Ballroom, I tried to keep my breathing steady. I had no idea why I was so damn nervous.
When we stepped into the ballroom, I sucked in a breath. It was a magnificent room and decorated beautifully for Christmas.
“How beautiful,” I whispered, looking around. Stunning, modern glass chandeliers hung from the ceilings and seemed to catch every light in the room. A large Christmas tree sat in the corner, decorated with blue and silver ornaments, twinkling white lights, and a silver star at the top. Part of me wanted to walk over to it. I hadn’t put up a Christmas tree in my condo for the last three or four years. I’d always thought it was a waste of time since I always spent Christmas back home in Boggy Creek. My folks would set up two trees. One in the main living room of the bed and breakfast for guests, and one in their private living area. But looking at this one, I longed to have one of my own. Blue was my favorite color.
“Brighton! You made it!”
A female voice pulled my gaze off the Christmas tree, and I looked over to see an older woman walking toward me.
Mrs. Lucy Morrison. She was a beautiful woman. Her blonde hair was pulled up and piled on top of her head in a tight bun. She wore a light blue dress that showcased her body, which she clearly took care of. I wasn’t sure what the woman did for exercise, but I prayed I looked half as good as that when I was her age.
“Hank, you delivered her to us safely,” she said when she reached us.
Hank gave a slight bow and turned to face me. He took my hand and kissed the back of it, then looked at me and winked. “Enjoy your evening with Luke, Ms. Rogers.”
I felt my cheeks get hot…because there was something in his eyes that said he knew something I wasn’t privy to.
“I will. Thank you so much, Hank.”
I watched as he made his way back out the door we’d just walked through. A part of me was sad he wasn’t staying.
“Mitch has told me so much about you, Brighton. He says you’re a promising young lawyer and not one to be messed with in the courtroom.”
My cheeks warmed again. “Your husband is too kind, Mrs. Morrison.”
She shook her head. “Tonight you’ll call me Lucy.”
Smiling, I said, “Lucy, it is.”
With a raised brow, she asked, “Would you like a drink?”
“Yes, I’d love a drink.”
Lucy laughed, then wrapped her arm around mine and led us over to one of three bars that were set up in the ballroom. About fifteen round tables sat along the perimeter of the dance floor, all decorated with beautiful silver tablecloths and stunning floral centerpieces of red, green, and gold.
“Goodness, whoever decorated the ballroom is very talented.”
Lucy beamed. “Thank you, that would be me. My profession is interior decorating, so I live for events like this where I can play with different colors and patterns. I used to own my own business until I had Luke. I gave it up to be a stay-at-home mom.”