Page 55 of Up All Night

Rose's lips smoothed into a flat line as she removed her hand from her husband’s arm. “Oh, that’s right, I forgot that youletme put this gala togetherfor you. Not that it started as me wanting to actually help people.”

Her cold tone broke through Victor’s business-focused mind as his eyes landed on her. “Rose, that’s not what I meant.” He reached out to her, trying to backpedal, but Rose wasn’t having any of it.

She turned to me. “I apologize for my husband. He’s not always such a brute.”

“Rose,” he pleaded.

She put on a fake smile as she looked back at Victor. “While you’renetworking, I’m going to go talk to people I care about. AndmaybeI’ll see you at home tonight.”

Then she walked away, her emerald-green dress swishing behind her.

Victor was quick to follow. “Rose, darling, please. You know I love how you put this all together and how amazing you are at it.”

He looked like a dog with his tail between his legs as he tried to get his wife to accept his apology.

“So…that’s my parents.”

I chuckled. “Now I know why you’re so understanding about my mom.”

He chuckled, joining me. “We all have quirky parents.” He took a sip of champagne. “I promise they really do love each other. It can be sickening at times.”

“That’s better than not loving each other at all.”

“True,” he agreed. “My mom is pretty good at knowing how to get my dad to do what she wants without her having to say anything.”

He must have seen my confused look because he added, “For example, my mom doesn’t like how business-obsessed he gets, especially at events like this. So she used his thoughtless comment and turned it into an opportunity. My dad hates when my mom is mad at him. He’ll do anything to get back in her good graces. Now he’ll be so focused on making up with her that he won’t be stuck on using the whole night as a way to improve his company.”

“Wow.” That was brilliant. “She’s good.”

A smile formed on his face as he looked over at his mom. “Yeah, she’s amazing. Not sure I would have survived a childhood with my dad if it wasn’t for her.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m not surprised to hear that. Your dad is intense.”

“That’s an understatement.” He placed his still full champagne glass down on another passing tray, and I quickly added mine next to his before the server was gone. “Are you sure you’re okay with meeting a few clients with me?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m here.” I put on my most serious face. “To show all these stuffy people that you are the king of seriousness and commitment.” But then realizing what I had said, I added, “Although all you would have to do is show them your planner and tell them you have a strict nine o’clock bedtime, and that would do the trick.”

He laughed and nudged my arm with his. “That’s not a bad idea.”

I smiled up at him, grateful I’d made him laugh after the awkwardness with his dad.

“West!” a woman’s voice said loudly.

I turned to see the beautiful blonde in the light blue dress I’d seen earlier. West smiled down at her with affection and gave her a hug.

Oh, no. Was this girl his ex? Dealing with his business-obsessed dad and being West’s ticket to career advancement was one thing. But dealing with possible jealous exes was a whole other level, and I didn’t want any part of it.

“You look beautiful, as always,” West said to her, and my stomach clenched.

It wasn’t because I was jealous. The woman really was beautiful. But did he have to say it right in front of me, his supposed date?

“Thank you,” she said. “Took ages to find this dress. I had a vision of what I wanted, and my designer, thank goodness, was able to make it happen.”

West chuckled. “That sounds like you.”

Ugh. How long had they been together?

“Oh, sorry,” West said to me as if just now remembering I was here.

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