Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Of course I’d known it was only a matter of time before I saw her, and it was clear by the way she was speaking to other women, and how they glanced our way and laughed, that she was probably talking about me.
“She’s such a bitch,” Raven said, a little heat in her tone.
I glanced back at my friend, seeing her pursed lips and the glare she cast Alyssa’s way—looking like an adorable, protective little pit bull terrier on my behalf.
“As long as she keeps her distance, I’m fine,” I said, and I truly, surprisingly, meant that. I wasn’t going to let a few catty women ruin my evening with Caleb, at such a spectacular event.
Raven met my gaze, her eyes flashing a little fire. “If she stirs up any trouble for you, I have no issues kicking her ass.”
I laughed. “Oh, yeah, I’m sure that would go over really well at an event like this, but thank you. It’s the thought that counts.”
Raven smirked. “She’s probably beyond jealous that you look fucking fantastic in that one-of-a-kind gown that she knows Caleb bought for you.”
Before I could reply, I felt Caleb’s arm around my waist as he pulled me close to his side in a delightfully assertive manner for anyone to see. Then, he surprised me further by brushing his lips across my cheek. “Raven is right, you know,” he murmured against my ear, establishing more intimacy between us. “You do look fucking fantastic.”
His words thrilled me. I didn’t even care if the sweet kiss and his possessive actions were for show. Tonight, I let myself pretend it was all real.
Dinner was announced, a five-course meal followed by a few speeches from various benefactors in the art world, thanking guests for their generous donations and encouraging them to support the program further by bidding on the artwork at the silent auction.
Caleb and I headed in that direction, while the string quartet switched out for more lively dance music. We strolled through the area, taking in all the pieces of different artwork, from classic and modern paintings to elaborate sculptures to photorealism and more, discussing some of the offerings along the way. I found myself fascinated by all the various aesthetics and styles, but the one piece I was drawn to the most was Fallon’s bright and colorful pop art.
I stopped Caleb in front of her large, framed painting with colorful hearts around the word LOVE that seemed to leap off the canvas in a three-dimensional technique. I glanced at the piece of paper on the table in front of Fallon’s artwork. The bid was already up over seventy thousand, a drop in the bucket for any of these wealthy guests in attendance, but at least it was all going to a good cause.
Caleb studied the piece for a moment, head tilted to the side, before saying, “That’s quite…loud.”
I laughed at what he deemed a polite description. I knew it was nothing against Fallon, personally, but Caleb’s tastes were much more…refined.
“It’s funky and fun and very cool,” I corrected him, because while I could appreciate all the other artwork in the room, to me they were boring in comparison, not that I’d say that out loud. “This makes me smile.”
“Well, I do love your smile,” he said, clearly trying to find a positive to the conversation.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Seriously, though, this is a piece that would draw everyone’s attention and start a conversation,” I said, before I decided to tease him a bit. “This artwork would look amazing in your living room. All those splashes of color would break up that monotonous, manly, navy décor and make things more interesting.”
The way he grimaced spoke for him. No way was he trading in his clean, streamlined aesthetic for something so quirky and fun.
We left the silent auction and returned to the main ballroom. We continued to visit with people he knew, and a few I was acquainted with, as well, while others enjoyed the upbeat music and danced. When a slow tune came on and the lights dimmed, it was Caleb who surprised me by leading me out onto the dance floor and pulling me into his arms.
I was keenly aware that Alyssa was also there with her date, far enough away that we wouldn’t run into them, but close enough for me to feel her eyes on me, which I’d noticed throughout most of the evening.
Ignoring her, I smiled up at Caleb, focusing my attention solely on him. “Look at you, taking the initiative to dance. I didn’t even have to twist your arm to get you out here.”
“I’ll admit, I had ulterior motives,” he said, tucking the hand he was holding against his chest, making our connection look and feel even more intimate. “I’ve hit my limit of socializing and this is the view I’ve been really wanting all night long.”