“Now, tell me, how did you both meet? Are you an actress?”
“Uh no, I’m a personal assistant.”
Her eyes pique with curiosity. “To Wesley?”
“No, Mother, to Em, if you must pry.”
“Oh, I see. Well, you look beautiful, and I really hope you enjoy the night.”
“I’m sure I will Mrs… I mean, Gina.”
Gina examines both of us, following with a fake smile. She latches onto Wesley’s arm which appears to make him uncomfortable. “Have you said hello to Carson?”
“I said I will come to support the event.”
“Wesley, don’t start now.”
The tension mounts between them, broken by the guest speaker announcing the events of the evening. We turn our focus before applause erupts and the music carries on. Wesley excuses himself to the bathroom, leaving me alone in the corner with a napkin and some shrimp. Upon my second bite, my clutch begins to vibrate, prompting me to retrieve my cell.
“Milly, what have you done?”
Phoebe’s desperation catches me off guard, forcing me to move toward a room less noisy to be able to listen properly.
“Phoebe, what are you talking about?”
“Liam, he came back home, and he’s been—”
“What, Phoebe? I don’t have time for this. Liam is a big boy,” I tell her, covering my guilt.
“Liam is a big boy? So, what Liam said is true. You’re screwing Wesley Rich? My God, Milly, have you lost your mind? You know what diseases he must carry. I can’t believe you would do this to Liam. And why didn’t you tell me about Wesley?”
“Because he’s just a friend. I don’t know what Liam’s told you, but yes, we are now in a relationship. Liam and I are over. I’m sorry I didn’t have a chance to tell you, but I don’t want to expose this just yet. It will not be good for my career. I hope you understand that.”
I can hear her breathing on the line, Phoebe’s wrath of fury ready to unleash.
“I don’t know who you are anymore. You said you wouldn’t become one of them. You cheat on your boyfriend and with the worst possible guy. Next, you’ll be snorting lines and shooting up like your new boyfriend.”
“That’s uncalled for!” A waiter walking past turns my way, quickly moving on with his head bowed. “You don’t know Wesley. Just because you read it doesn’t mean it’s true. I haven’t changed. Maybe you’ve changed. I have to go now.”
“Well, just to make you feel better, Liam is fucking Sienna, the hot blonde from the pub.”
“Thanks a lot,” I respond rudely. “I have to go.” I hang up the phone without haste, letting out an annoying huff. How dare she say those things to me? Despite our close friendship, her words are mean and hurtful. I turn the corner in a fluster, only to be blocked by a man. I don’t recall seeing him before, older yet dashing in his black tuxedo.
“You must be Wesley’s new girlfriend. Gina told me all about you.” He extends his hand with an inviting smile. “I’m Carson Cole. Gina’s husband.”
“Oh, right.” I
return the gesture, ignoring the fact that he holds onto my hand much longer than I anticipated. “Wesley’s stepfather. Have you seen him around by chance?”
He’s standing awfully close to me, making me somewhat uncomfortable.
“I haven’t, but you know, Wesley isn’t one to commit. Take it from me, darling, you don’t want to put all your eggs in that basket. You’re a pretty girl.” He glances rather obviously at my chest, his breathing fast-paced.
“I should probably go find him.”
Carson grabs my arm, a little forceful. “Why don’t we go find him together? I think I saw him upstairs.”
“How about you let go of my arm?” I point out, biting down to stop myself from screaming. “I have to go.”