Page 146 of Call Back

I shoved my elbow into his side as I shot him a grin.

His eyes twinkled. “So that means they’re safe?”

We headed back to our table, and just as I was about to take my seat, I realized someone new was sitting at our table.

Ava Milton.

That explained how Colt got the tickets, and I had no doubt she wanted me here. Why?

“Magnolia,” Ava said with a regal air. “You look lovely tonight.” She was wearing a taupe brocade dress with long sleeves and a scooped neckline.

“Thank you,” I said, not wanting to play her game.

Colt sat down next to me and put a reassuring hand on my thigh under the table. I covered it with my own and then looked up and gave him a smile. Relief filled his eyes.

Ava had something on him. I was sure of it.

If Ava had picked up on Colt’s concern—and I didn’t doubt she had—she ignored it and turned to the couple to her left to strike up a conversation about the library bond. Colt and I ate our food, although I picked at mine.

Colt took advantage of her distraction and leaned into my ear. “The best way to get her goat is to pretend she’s not getting to you. I need you alert, and you can’t drink that wine on an empty stomach.”

He was right, of course.

I picked up one of Tilly’s shrimps and took a bite as I surveyed the room. I found Belinda at a table in the middle of the room. Her gaze caught mine, and a sweet smile spread across her face before she turned to the woman sitting to her left. She was in full-on social mode.

My brother sat to her right, and it was like looking at my father in the past, back when he’d attended functions like this one. Roy was a handsome man, but he had a rough edge I’d never noticed in my daddy. Or had it been there and I just hadn’t noticed?

The greasy bacon made my stomach churn.

I turned to Colt and whispered, “I have to go to the restroom.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Don’t you think that will look odd?”

“Who’s going to know? We’ll make it look like we’re circulating the room. I don’t want you wandering around on your own.” He grinned, but it looked forced. “I want to make sure no other man tries to steal you away.”

We both knew that was a lie, or at best a partial truth.

I grabbed Colt’s glass and took a drink. “I’m okay. But let’s move around anyway.”

“Good idea.” Colt reached under the table, then handed me my purse.

I picked up my wine glass to bring as a prop, and then noticed Ava’s intense gaze.

“You’re supposed to be wearing a mask,” she said authoritatively.

“I don’t see you wearing one,” I said.

“I make the rules, my dear. I’m not obligated to follow them.”

I picked up my mask and then purposefully dropped it on the table. “Funny, I was about to say the same thing.”

Since I was feeling full of piss and vinegar, I headed toward my brother’s table.

“You shouldn’t have done that, Magnolia,” Colt said as he caught up with me. “You do not want to make an enemy of Ava Milton.”

I stopped and looked up at him. “Who said I was making enemies? I think it’s best if she and I both know where the other stands.”

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