Page 29 of Kiss Me Forever

Chapter Six

While there was plenty of food at the party, there was absolutely no chance for them to speak privately. Andrea sipped her champagne and gazed around the crowded party, which was being held in a private dining room on the fiftieth floor of the Sterling Hotel. Floor to ceiling windows offered magnificent sweeping views of the city and the bay, and as with their dinner the previous night, the food was first class.

Alex was in the middle of a crowd of people, who seemed to hover intently on his every word. She knew it wasn't just his money and power that called them over, it was also his charisma. When he was in the room, everyone knew it. He was a magnet, and she could feel the pull from across the room. She had a feeling that even if he'd still been dirt poor, he would have been the center of attention.

She finished her champagne, set the glass down on an empty tray and moved towards him. It was about time she reminded Alex that she was there, too. When she reached the group surrounding him, she squeezed to the front of the circle, managing to dislodge a clingy redhead from his side.

She put a hand on Alex's arm and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "I'm back."

Alex didn't acknowledge the comment, but a small smile played across his lips. She moved a little farther forward, so she could see exactly who he was talking to. The crowd shifted at her movement, and suddenly she was face-to-face with a man she had hoped she would never see again, her ex-boyfriend, Douglas Wilmington.

She blinked in shock, hoping the horrible image would disappear, but Doug was gazing back at her with his perfect white teeth, his sky blue eyes, and his sun-streaked blond hair, and her stomach took a nosedive. She grabbed on to Alex's arm as if he were a buoy and she was about to drown.

"Andrea?" Doug said her name with surprise.

Of course he would be surprised to see her here. This kind of party was his world, not hers. "Hello, Doug," she managed to get out.

"You two know each other?" Alex asked.

Andrea nodded. "Yes."

"We were together for over a year," Doug added. "It's been a while though."

"Congratulations on your baby. Is your wife here?" she asked, even though it turned her stomach to make conversation with the man.

"No, she's at home with our child."

She didn't know what to say to that or what to say to him. Their relationship had ended badly. He'd been an asshole to her, and she'd been stupid enough not to see his bad traits a lot earlier in the relationship. But very few people would believe that Doug was anything but a great guy. Like Alex, he had a lot of charm.

"Maybe you and Wilmington can catch up later, Andrea," Alex said. "Why don't we get something to eat?"

"That sounds great."

"You're here with Alex?" Doug asked, more amazement in his voice.

Before she could answer, Alex said, "She is. I'm a lucky guy." Alex took her hand and led her across the room.

She blew out a grateful breath as she put some space between Doug and herself. "You know people are going to think I actually am your date," she said to Alex.

"You looked like you needed a save."

"Very perceptive. I did. Thank you."

"And I don't care if anyone thinks you're my date." He paused as they reached the end of the buffet line. "So you dated Doug Wilmington?"

She sighed. "I did—for far too long. It took me some time to realize that Doug liked my press connections more than he cared about me. As you may know, he's a lawyer who wants to be in politics. I was able to provide him with some good connections."

"I think he liked more about you than your connections."

She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. It doesn't matter. He used me, and not just for press; he also cheated on me."

"You're better off without him."

"I know that. He's the kind of man who looks good on paper, but in reality, not so much. My mother could never see that though. She really wanted us to get married. I disappointed her when we broke up."

"Did you tell her he cheated on you?"

"No," she admitted. "It was embarrassing. I don't know why I just told you."

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