Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

“That's the charity manager,” Wyatt explained. “She is responsible for running the whole ball.”

“Oh.” Cassie still didn't like the green envy sliding through her ribs. Olive was attractive. She knew how to navigate this billionaire world. Even though Wyatt hadn't done anything other than greet the woman, Cassie still felt like Olive had something she didn't.

“Oh, here comes Brianna,” Janessa announced with a happy smile. Her smile then faltered. “And Lorna.”

The mention of Lorna's name made Cassie's stomach sour. She suddenly wished she had a stronger drink. Lorna was the last person in the world Cassie wanted to spend this evening with.

Cassie turned to see Brianna in a black halter-dress walking toward the table. She also wore an uncomfortable look as Lorna hung off her arm. There was no way Lorna was letting go of Brianna and going to a different table.

Cassie wondered if she could just crawl under the table and hide. It was that, or possibly punch Lorna in the face.

Neither seemed appropriate for a fancy ball.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Cassie

“Look who I found on my way in,” Lorna announced as they arrived at the table. “I'm so glad I found her. Otherwise, I would have been sitting at the wrong table all night. Here's where the party is, right?”

Lorna wore a poison-apple-green skin-tight dress. The mermaid tail flared out at the knee, but the rest was practically painted onto Lorna's body, highlighting her trim figure. While stylish, it was also loud and over the top, much like Lorna.

Brianna smiled weakly.

“You sit next to Kyle, and I'll sit at this spot here,” Lorna said, practically pushing Brianna at Kyle. Lorna took the empty seat next to Wyatt.

Cassie tried not to bristle. She decided not to let her anger and jealousy rise to the surface. She could be the bigger person. Tonight was for charity after all.

“Brianna, I'm sure Cassie wants to catch up with you. Trade me seats?” Wyatt asked, looking innocently at Brianna.

“Sure.” Brianna hopped up, and the two switched seats. Cassie felt a surge of smug pleasure at the way Lorna's face twitched with annoyance. She was now seated as far away from Wyatt as possible.

“I'm so sorry,” Brianna said softly to Cassie. “She ambushed me. I feel like a mountain lion stalked me. I'm not even sure she actually has a ticket. She just grabbed onto me as we walked in the front door.”

“It's fine,” Cassie told her, trying to believe it herself. “She's just being Lorna.”

“Excuse me for a moment. I see a business partner I need to speak with,” Kyle announced. He nodded around the table and then left.

“So, Wyatt, tell me, how has Phoenix been treating you?” Lorna asked, putting her chin on her hands and blatantly showing off her cleavage to the person sitting across the table from her. She was definitely making lemonade out of her lemons.

Wyatt cleared his throat. “It's been a great city,” he replied. His eyes went to Cassie and warmed. “It's exactly what I was looking for.”

Little tingles of energy rippled down Cassie's arms with his smile. He wasn't looking at Lorna's cleavage. He wasn't interested in Olive's fancy haircut.

He liked her. He'd come back for her. Not them.

“I'd love to show you around town,” Lorna tried again. She shifted her shoulders so that her chest somehow stuck out just a little bit more. The green fabric struggled to stay attached at the seams.

“I'm good, thanks.” Wyatt gave her a polite smile, making sure that his gaze wasn't where she wanted it. “If you'll excuse me, I need to go prep for the auction.”

Wyatt stood up and instead of leaving directly, came over and kissed Cassie's cheek. He made it sweet and sensual, and slightly possessive.

“I'll see you soon. Don't bid on too many of the bachelors,” Wyatt teased, his hand grazing a bare patch of skin on Cassie's back. She shivered with the touch, wanting more.

“Sure,” she replied, feeling a little dazed from the kiss. She wasn't sure how a kiss on the cheek could be more sexual than one on the lips, but Wyatt had definitely done it. He winked and disappeared behind the stage. The goofy grin on her face stayed for a moment before fading. “Wait, bachelors?”

“After a kiss like that, I'm not surprised you can't think straight.” Brianna chuckled, knowing that Cassie's brain was still in kiss mode and unable to function properly.

“The auction is a bachelor/bachelorette auction,” Lorna replied, her voice haughty. “Didn't you even look at the invitation?”