Page 46 of Dirty Secret

CHAPTER 16

Max

"The keys, sir." The attendee held out his hand and with a frown, he looked at my red truck with regret.

Tossing him the keys, I gave the car snob a slap on the back. "Take good care of her. She's a classic."

I couldn't imagine anyone at the Children's Hope Gala would consider my 2000 Toyota Tacoma a classic, but that didn't mean it wasn't a good, sturdy vehicle—perfect for a plumber like me.

"Of course, sir. Do you need this?" His wiry arms lifted my toolbox out of the small back seat with surprising ease. My lips thinned. Even in my black tuxedo, this guy still couldn't believe I was a guest.

"Unless guests are expected to eat the food with wrenches and hammers, I think I can leave it in the truck."

There's a squeeze on my shoulder. The grip was strong, and I turned to face my date for the evening. His gray eyes wrinkled in amusement.

"We should make our way inside. I'm sure they're waiting." Jacob Davidson threw his thumb over his shoulder toward the hotel entrance.

A glittering confetti of photographers swarmed the entrance, causing each guest to turn, smile, and wave as if it was a secret code to enter the gala. I swallowed. Jacob smoothed the lapels of his navy tux, his blond hair styled to perfection for the evening.

People like him, like Heidi and Felipe, were used to these functions, but not me. I was weary as the evening drew near. Small talk with wealthy politicians and socialites was the last thing on my list of fun things to do on a Saturday night. Being with Heidi made it better, but at this moment, I wasn't with her. I had a man beside me whom I only met an hour ago, to help me through the sea of people and photographers.

It isn't that Jacob—Felipe's real date—wasn't nice. He was smart and funny and had been nothing but kind to me, even after I showed up at his Capitol Hill townhome in my old truck, instead of a town car or limo. He probably expected something that screamed swanky shindig attendee, while my ride was more of a "going to the home improvement store" type of holler.

Maybe I should have listened to the parking attendant and taken my tools. It was something familiar. Gripping hard, grimy metal felt natural. Wearing an uncomfortable tux and smiling at people I would normally roll my eyes at was the most abnormal thing I had ever done.

Was it weird that I didn't know what to do with my hands? Based on the people here tonight, everything I did was weird.

"You look fine. I'll give you a tip . . ." Jacob waved a path for us and I stumbled along, following his lead. "To give the appearance that you know what you're doing, keep one hand at your side and the other doing something, like holding a drink or pointing at some random person in the crowd as if you know them. It's a tip I got from Jennifer Lawrence once, and that woman knows how to turn an awkward situation into a cool moment like a pro."

I tried my best to wave at someone as the photographers swarmed us, but I discovered too late that I was gesturing to a potted plant in the corner.

"Oh look, it's that famous, sexy celebrity. Can you sign my boobs?" a familiar voice squealed with excitement once we stepped into the lobby.

All the unease of the night slipped away as I turned and saw Heidi, who looked more beautiful than I'd ever seen her. Her long, silky, red dress clung to her body in all the right ways. The photographers, and every person but us, disappeared. I desired nothing more than to curl my fingers into her upswept hair while my lips ravaged her glistening lips.

"That sounds like the best idea. Maybe we can ditch this place and find a pen—"

"Heidi White. I thought I recognized you." A man in a suit with a slim black tie stretched his hand to Heidi.

"You look familiar." Heidi accepted his hand with curiosity wrinkling her brow. "Were you here last year?"

The guy, with thick black waves, shifted his dark gaze between Heidi and Felipe. Jacob came to Felipe's side, and they started to move farther into the hotel lobby.

"No, this is the first time I've been to the Children's Hope Gala. I'm actually here because of my job."

Heidi's hazel eyes, which had a darker green to them this evening, widened. "That's where I know you. Bake and Take. You're the waiter."

I've been to Bake and Takemany times. Kat loved to go there Sunday mornings for brunch, but I had never seen this guy at the café. There's something about him that was out of place, though. He laughed but it felt forced. What would a waiter from Bake and Takebe doing at a gala?

Perhaps he's working as a server for the party tonight. I was about to ask him but stopped myself. The back of my neck began to itch as embarrassment crept up. Less than ten minutes ago someone assumed I worked here, too.

I should know better.

"That was a temporary job. Actually, I work for The Washington Tribune. I'm doing a piece on the families of the DC elite."

"Were you spying on me?" Heidi asked, and I stepped closer to her. I knew there was something not right about this guy. I stood taller and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

This waiter/journalist better think twice before stalking Heidi tonight. The gala wasn't the place to go after someone with invasive questions.

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