Page 20 of Worst in Show

“I need to find out what kind of wine this is,” says another.

Harvey is quickly pulled into a conversation with people he knows, so I take to exploring on my own. Every surface is so pristine that I want to throw up, but I’ve come prepared, juvenile though it may be. Since Leo is getting under my skin, I will now get under his with a small “gift” to show my appreciation for his presence.

As discreetly as I can, I tuck an old digital wristwatch from our lost-and-found box into one of the flowerpots in the window before I join the mingling crowd. It’s a children’s watch in the shape of a cat, and instead of beeping, it meows. I’ve set it to go off on the hour every hour. That should annoy him at least for a bit.

“Hi,” Leo says at my side, startling me. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.” He’s in a navy-blue suit for the occasion—a ridiculously expensive one if I’m to guess. The patterned tie and pocket square match in an international superstar kind of way. Men should not be allowed to be this pretty.

I step out of the way for a couple of people on the move and nod a “hello” to them. There are several familiar faces here actually, each one a stab in the back. “Honestly, I could use a drink,” I tell Leo. “Figured I’d pop in.”

If he’s offended, he doesn’t let on. “White or red?” He gestures for me to follow him to the counter where Jaz has taken on the role of bartender.

“What can I get you, miss,” she says, staying in character as a complete stranger.

“A large glass of red, please.”

“Of course. One second.” She dives behind the makeshift bar for a slightly bigger glass than what everyone else is holding and proceeds to pour me a healthy helping. “There you go.”

Leo frowns in my peripheral but doesn’t have time to comment before a man in a Burberry coat pats him on the shoulder. “Great turnout, Leo. Everything looks flawless.”

Leo flashes a smile. “Thank you.” His gaze flicks upward past my head, then back.

Next to the glasses on the counter is a guest book, and as we’re talking, guest after guest steps up to enter their names and email addresses. Why have we never done anything like that? The missed opportunity is so obvious when it’s staring me in the face.

“Is Harvey here, too?” Leo asks. He glances above my head again, lips tightening briefly before returning to neutral.

What is he looking at?

I peer over my shoulder but don’t see anything out of place. Only organized perfection and happy customers. I swallow the metaphorical sour grapes and then a mouthful of the liquefied ones. “Over there.” I point. Pop is laughing and talking animatedly as if we’re here on a social call.

“Looks like he’s enjoying himself.” Leo smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Hey, I’m really not here to ruin things for—”

“Hi, there.” A tall woman with dark lashes and shoulder-length brown hair who looks vaguely familiar interrupts him. There’s a curious glint in her eye as she smiles at me. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Diane Kurtz, Leo’s aunt.”

“Cora Lewis.” I shake her hand. I didn’t know he still had relatives around here. His family used to own a big equestrian center outside of town, but they closed it and moved around the time his class graduated. Maybe they’re all back, and that’s why he’s here?

“You must be Harvey and Martha’s granddaughter.” Diane gives Leo a look that suggests my name’s come up. “Happy Paws, right?”

“That’s right.” Has he been talking about me?

“We were in the middle of something, actually,” Leo tells Diane. “Maybe we can circle back?”

“Oh.” Diane looks between us. “Of course. Sorry. But really quick, Dawn wanted me to tell you thanks for helping with that website thing of hers. It’s made a big difference. I swear she was completely overwhelmed before.” The message relayed, she flashes an apologetic smile and backs away.

“Tell her no problem. Happy to do it.” Leo smiles indulgently as his aunt retreats. “Sorry about that. She wants to talk to everyone. She and her wife, Dawn, have been great to me this past year. I think they brought along at least twenty people tonight.”

“That’s nice. Is the rest of your family here, too?”

A shadow crosses his features. “No,” he says.

I wait for him to elaborate but get nothing. Okay, then. I finish what’s left of my wine in one fell swoop. Pick a different topic. “So, ‘circle back,’ huh?” I do bunny ears with my fingers. “What did you do before coming here? Something ‘results-driven’ no doubt, where you could ‘build consensus’ and follow ‘best practices.’ I know—corporate takeovers?”

He glances at the ceiling again, and now I see it. The farthest light above the counter is out, and it’s driving him bananas.

Leo clears his throat. “Um, I worked in investment banking and financial risk management actually.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, that tracks. A true capitalist. And now you’re here…” I set my empty glass down on the display table closest to us. This was a mistake. I don’t want to learn anything from him. “I think I’m going to go. Thanks for the wine.” I wave to Harvey who’s chatting with the troubadour, to let him know I’m heading out.

Leo doesn’t try to stop me, and why should he? But when I’ve walked a few steps, I turn back around and find him still watching me.

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