“How do you know him?” London asked when we were alone together. Just like when we were alone at home, she was close to me, a part of her body always touching mine. She drank her wine as her arm brushed against the fabric of my suit.
“Honestly, I can’t remember the first time we met. But he’s a big fan of my scotch. Has it at dinner parties and the hotels he operates around the world.”
“Are all of your friends clients?”
I shrugged. “I guess so. I didn’t push the scotch on them. They just happen to like it.”
“It is pretty good. Strong as hell, but good.” She glanced to the other side of the room then turned back to me. “Is that whore gonna be here?”
I did a double take when I heard what she said. I hoped no one overheard it. “What whore are you referring to? Dunbar?”
She didn’t crack a smile. “Josephine.”
Hadn’t even thought of her. “Not sure. But probably.”
“Maybe I’ll spill some wine on her. You know, by mistake.”
“Is this out of jealousy or loyalty?”
“A little bit of both,” she said before she sipped her wine.
“I never think about her, so you shouldn’t concern yourself with it.” It was like the engagement had never happened. I couldn’t even remember what it was like to love the woman. I met London, and my entire life changed. It seemed like she’d always been in my life, that no other woman ever mattered.
“I still hate that bitch.”
I pressed my forefinger over my lips. “Shh…you can say that when we’re alone together, but not here.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re no fun.” She finished her glass of wine and set it on an empty tray a waiter was carrying. “I’m going to use the restroom. I’m not opposed to the idea of you joining me.” She winked then walked away.
I couldn’t tell if she was teasing me or not, but that’s why I loved her.
“Crewe Donoghue.” Vasile appeared at my side in a midnight black tux. He was in his late sixties but had a youthful appearance. A life of exercise and veganism had served him well. “A pleasure, always.” He shook my hand.
“The pleasure is mine, sir. Your party is lovely.”
“Thank you. I wish I could take credit for it but I can’t. I just get to show up.” He laughed.
I laughed too.
“I hope you didn’t come alone, Crewe. You’re too handsome not to have a woman on your arm.”
It was ironic that London had walked away at the worst possible time. “Thank you, sir. I—” I spotted Ariel coming toward me, Cassandra trailing behind her. They weren’t showing any display of affection, probably because Ariel was all business—all the time. “Allow me to introduce you to my business partner, Ariel.”
“Oh yes, we’ve spoken on the phone.” Vasile kissed her on each cheek. “You’re much easier to work with than this one.” He nodded his head in my direction. “He’s all drink and no talk.”
Ariel smiled. “Trust me, I know. Let me introduce you to another business associate of mine…” She turned to Cassandra.
“And girlfriend,” I added.
Ariel narrowed her eyes at me, caught off guard by my honesty.
I knew Ariel wasn’t ashamed of who she was, and I didn’t want her to be ashamed just because we were at a royal dinner. If she was protecting me, she didn’t need to. Anyone who had a problem with that could buy their scotch somewhere else.
Cassandra covered for Ariel and shook his hand. “It’s so beautiful here. I love the lawn ornaments.”
“Why, thank you,” Vasile replied. “They’re nice, aren’t they? Lighten up the place.” If he was uncomfortable by the turn of events, he didn’t show it.
Ariel glared at me when he wasn’t looking.
I shrugged in response. “Sir, I haven’t had a chance to meet your daughter yet. Is she here?”
“Oh yes.” He tapped one of the waiters on the arm and whispered for them to retrieve Anna before he turned back to me. “She’s spent the week settling in. You know, getting used to the time change by sleeping all day. I sincerely hope she wasn’t this lazy while she was at university.”
“She just graduated college,” I reminded him. “She deserves a break.”
He chuckled. “You’re a lot more understanding than I am. My father taught me to work around the clock as if someone else is working around the clock to take your job away from you. Wise man.”
“Very.”
His daughter joined our group a moment later, wearing a sweetheart neckline gown that was boldly gold with a subtle sequence of red. When it trailed past her hips, the red color became more prominent and took up the gown nearly to the bottom, where the gold color returned. She had dark brown hair like her father and blue eyes. She looked royal but also possessed a hint of mellowness. I could imagine her at a coffee shop with her laptop on a Sunday morning. When she smiled, it seemed genuine. “Father, you called?”