Darkly (Follow Me 4)

“I do.”

“She’s a doll,” Laurie says.

I resist an eye roll. “Doll” is not a word I’d use to describe Addison Ames.

“Please have a seat,” Laurie continues.

Except Laurie is sitting in the seat Skye vacated only minutes ago. I hold out the chair on my other side, and she sits. The extra bourbon I brought for her is within reach. She grabs it.

“Addie and I go way back,” Laurie says. “I used to work for her father.”

“Oh?” Skye says. “What do you do?”

“I’m an attorney.” She slides a card toward Skye.

Nicely done. Skye probably has no need for a corporate attorney, but Laurie’s thinking bigger. She’s getting her name out everywhere she can. I admire that.

“I interned with Brock Ames when I was in law school,” Laurie continues. “He got me set up with my current firm.”

“So how do you two know each other?” Skye asks sweetly.

“We don’t, actually,” I say.

“Oh?”

“Shameless self-promotion.” Laurie smiles. “Of course I recognized Braden and had to come introduce myself.”

“As I said, Ms. Simms, I’m happy with my current representation.”

She stands. “Can’t blame a girl for trying. Nice to meet you, Skye.”

“You too.” She smiles back. This time it seems more genuine.

Skye has a beautiful smile. Her whole face lights up, and her lips… I resist the urge to cup her cheek right here in the middle of the MADD Gala.

“Thanks,” I say.

“For what?”

“For getting back here. Seemed like you were gone forever. When I’m alone, people pounce. Laurie is the umpteenth person who came up to me while you were gone.”

“Were the others beautiful females as well?”

I smile. “Does it matter?”

She looks at her drink. “I suppose not.”

“One was Peter Reardon. Apparently he was waiting outside the ballroom, and when he saw you and Tessa leave, he came back in and sought me out. He apologized for dancing with you.”

“Oh, for God’s sake. That’s ridiculous. He had a perfect right to dance with me. I enjoyed his company.”

“I’m sure he enjoyed yours as well. He just didn’t know you were with me.”

“I wasn’t with you.”

“You are now, and I aim to keep it that way.”

She squirms in her chair. I can’t tell if she’s angry or turned on by my comment. Most likely both, which is exactly what I was hoping for.