Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Fuck, you’re sexy and beautiful,” he says when I stand next to him. “Just hang onto my arm.”
“Okay.”
We take a few steps and then the sidewalk turns to carpet. Alex pauses for a moment and then we turn. On each side, red velvet ropes and gold pedestals keep the media back. They shout Alex’s name as we walk toward the entrance. They ask who his date is, but he ignores them. I startle when a photographer crouches in front of us.
“He’s with the venue. Smile.”
I do as Alex says, and once the cameraman is done, we head toward the stairs. Inside, I feel like I can finally breathe. “Is it always like this?”
“No, only a couple times a year, if that. This event is a huge fundraiser and draws a big crowd. That’s why there’s media outside. Last year, Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt—they all came. I’m not sure who’s on the guest list this year.”
“How did the Pioneers get involved?”
“All part of the charitable foundation,” he tells me.
We make our way into the grand ballroom. It looks exactly like something you’d see on television or the movies. There’s a jazz band on the stage. The dance floor is open and surrounded by round tables, each marked with a number. Honestly, I feel like I’m at a reception.
“So, what is this exactly?”
“A fundraiser,” he says. “Everyone in attendance has made a sizable contribution or they’ve added something to the silent auction.”
“What did you do?”
“Both,” he says. “I have a game-worn jersey up for auction, plus I donated. The Pioneers have tickets to this season’s Super Bowl, signed balls, stuff like that.”
“And the DILFs?” I need to know if I’m bidding on something.
Alex laughs. “I don’t know. We can go to the auction room and look.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“Sure, it is.” He laughs and gives his name to a man at the door, who repeats it into his headset. A woman approaches and takes us to our table. Autumn and Julius are already seated, together with two other couples whose names I don’t recognize.
“Alex!”
He turns in time for a woman to throw her arms around him. I step back to give them some room. Alex pries her off him and tries to put some distance between them but she doesn’t take the hint.
“Hi, Estelle. It’s nice to see you.”
“I’ve missed you, Alex. How come you don’t come around anymore?”
Alex and I make eye contact. If he’s trying to tell me something, I’m missing it.
“Uh.”
“I know. I know. Things don’t need to be awkward though.”
“Right. It was nice seeing you, Estelle.”
“Let’s sit and chat,” she says as she reaches for the chair next to her.
“This isn’t the time or place.”
For whatever reason, she turns and looks at me with nothing but snobbery and disgust on her face. Honestly, I’m taken back by her demeanor. “Alex, who’s this?”
“My girlfriend,” he says, taking me completely off guard. I do my best to maintain my composure, but I know I’m failing.
“Huh?” She scoffs loudly. “Does Maggie know?”
Alex cocks his head slightly. “What does it matter if she does, Estelle? Maggie and I aren’t together.”
Estelle’s head whips back to Alex. “You know you can never replace her.”
“Not trying to, Estelle.”
She steps toward me, shakes her head, and then walks away. I watch her until Alex touches my arm. “Ignore her.”
“Um . . . I’m not sure I can. What?”
“Seriously, ignore her,” Autumn adds. “I heard most of the conversation and saw the looks. She’s a snake. Always trying to cause issues for people.”
“Oh, okay.” What the fuck just happened? I close my eyes and take a couple calming breaths. If Autumn says to ignore that woman, I should. But I can’t help the anxiety creeping in or how fast my heart beats right now. The look she gave me . . . if they could kill I’d be begging for my life.
Alex leans into me and whispers, “She’s friends with Maggie. A lot of people are. My guess is she saw us come in together and figured she’d make a stink. Please don’t let her ruin our night.”
I nod against him. “Okay.”
He kisses me below my ear, and then my cheek and finally on my lips. When he pulls away, I look at him and ask, “Girlfriend, huh?”
A wide smile spreads across his face. “Yeah, girlfriend. Unless that’s too antiquated for you and you prefer something else, like partner or companion. Personally, I like it and it doesn’t leave any ambiguity.”
“Alex, did you play in the thesaurus today?” I ask, laughing.
“Maybe.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “What do you say? Can I be your boyfriend?”
“Oh, God, you two are cute. Julius, take notes,” Autumn says as she jabs Julius in the ribs.
Alex and I laugh.
“Yeah, boyfriend has a nice sound to it.”
“Thank God.” He kisses me again, and then pulls my chair out for me. While I’m okay now, I am questioning the earlier interaction. Estelle seemed mighty pissed that Alex had moved on, which I don’t get it all. Isn’t that what people do when they break-up?