Seeing Shadows (Shadows 1)

Simon grimaced. "Their relationship is complicated. Too complicated for me to get into now."

I nodded. It really wasn't my business anyways. Now that Sarah had moved on, or least put on the guise of moving on, Cara was no longer in the realm of things I cared about.

Near the end of dinner, Mr. Crewe stood to make a toast to his daughter. "Thank you everyone for joining us tonight for Kendra's birthday celebration." He turned to Kendra. "Happy Birthday, Kendra. Sixteen years ago, my life changed forever when the doctor put a baby in my arms and said it was a girl. I can't imagine having a daughter more loving or spirited as you. Your mother and I couldn't be any prouder of the young woman you've turned out to be."

He turned back to the table, his eyes glassy with emotion and Mrs. Crewe grasped his hand from her seat, smiling at him lovingly. "Everybody, please join me in wishing Kendra a Happy Birthday."

Everyone cheered and raised their glasses. For all the differences that Mr. Crewe had with his children, it was obvious he loved them wholeheartedly, and he didn't seem afraid to show it. I didn't let myself think about my own father and my sixteenth birthday. The one where he had told me he regretted having a daughter instead of a son.

After dinner, they had a band playing in the next room and guests drifted over to continue the night dancing and drinking. Simon stood and held out one hand gallantly. "May I have this dance?"

I laughed at Simon's formality. "Luckily, I have one spot left on my dance card."

Simon and I made our way to the dance floor, where the singer was crooning a slow love song. Simon placed his hands on my waist and I wrapped my arms around his neck, fitting together as if we had danced together for ages. "You should have played at Kendra's birthday party. She would have loved it."

"Has she been getting to you?" Simon asked. "She was bugging me about singing earlier."

"You should! That would be awesome."

Simon smiled slyly. "Maybe if you join me. I heard from a credible source that you're a great singer."

I looked at him aghast. "Are you kidding me? I can't get up and sing in front of all these people!"

Simon gave a mock sigh of sadness. "Poor Kendra. Deprived of a birthday song because you won't sing in front of people."

"Ha," I scoffed. "You're her brother. You get up there and sing on your own. You're used to it. Just pretend these are all your adoring groupies that hang on your every word at the East End."

Simon smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Jealous, are we?"

I shook my head vehemently. "I just feel bad for them. I don't think they realize that you're a mere man and not a god."

Simon gave a sharp bark of laughter as he pulled me closer. "Okay, I'll let you out of it this time. You just have to promise to sing with me one day."

"Maybe," I muttered, but I was enjoying being close to him too much to really be disgruntled.

We danced for several songs until I announced that I either had to take a break or go barefoot. My heels that had been comfortable before were now making their presence known with a vengeance. We relaxed at one of the tables surrounding the dance floor and watched other couples dancing. I noticed that Sarah seemed to ha

ve an endless supply of eager partners.

Grant stood on the outskirts of the dance floor, nursing a drink and watching Sarah intently. Cara was nowhere to be seen. I decided not to ask Simon about Grant and Cara tonight. It was too perfect of a night and I didn't want to sully it with whatever they had between them.

Simon and I spent the rest of the night dancing interspersed with people-watching. He described all the different guests and there seemed to be a lot of CEOs and congressmen in the mix. I wondered if Kendra enjoyed having a party with so many of her parents' friends. When I asked Simon about this, he said Kendra hadn't cared, as long as her friends were there. Plus, he said that his parents had given Kendra her birthday gift earlier in the week. After she had received her BMW she had been on cloud nine.

Sarah hung out with us for most of the night, unless she was whirling around on the dance floor with one of her many partners. Grant had stalked out of the room during one of her dances, and I didn't see him again. I knew better than to ask Sarah about it.

Before I knew it, people started heading out. I checked the clock and saw that it was past midnight. "How did it get so late?"

Simon smiled, wrapping his arm around my waist. "Time always seems to go by quickly when I'm with you."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "Did you take a class for this stuff, or do those lines just come naturally?"

Simon grinned, pulling me close to his side. "You just bring out the cheesy in me."

Sarah came up to us, stifling a yawn. "I'm beat. It's time to hang up my dancing shoes. I'll see you guys in the morning."

"I'll come up with you," I said. As much as I was tempted to invite Simon to my room, I knew that it was better to wait until I had a better grasp of what was going on. And that wouldn't happen until I met with my aunt.

I turned to Simon. "I'll see you in the morning."