Page 79 of Introvert

"I call BS."

"On what?"

"You told me you have a party threshold of 40 minutes," he said then glanced at his watch. "It's been over an hour."

"I mean, Essie seems like she's having fun, and the atmosphere really works for me."

To emphasize my point, I sank back farther into the dimcorner we were currently occupying.The restaurant/bar was calledThe Lucky Horseshoe, and it had a certain charm about it while also being a little seedy. The band onstage was decent. People were out on the dancefloor—including London, who was currently living her best dance life, swaying and grooving to the music seemingly without a care in the world.The food smelled amazing. Hayden, Elliot, Ryker, and Santino were partaking in what looked like every appetizeron the menu—along with Essie's birthday cake which had five tiers and a replica of the HERS tourbus on top.But the best part was this corner, far enough away from the crowd to feel safe, close enough that it didn't look like I was being anti-social. Felixclicked his tongue, looking me up and down.

"What?" I said.

"If you wanted to hide in the shadows, you should've worn a different dress," he said.

As if he'd summoned them, two women beganheading straight for us. One of them was Essie, but the other I didn't recognize. She looked stylishand well-off.Even from here thediamonds in her ears shined like stars.

"Alright, don't panic," Felix muttered. "Maybe if we don't move she won'tsee us."

"Felix!" the woman said with a wave."Felix,stay there. Don't make me chase you."

He groaned.

"Who is she?" I whispered.

"Hayden's grandma, Constance Davenport."

I straightened from the wall."Should I know who that is?"

"If you don't, you will after this."

The women reached our spot, and Constance looked us over while Essie gave me a big smile.

"Glad you could make it," the driver said.

"Sorry, I was late," I said and gesturedto her. "I like yourbirthday girl sash."

"It's a little too frou frou for me, but my friend here insisted."

Constance released a laugh that tinkled like bells. "The sash is a must, Essie. You only turn 50 once."

She turned her assessing eyes on Felix.

"Thought you could hide from me, but you were mistaken," she said.

"Would I do that?" he said.

"Yes."

Felix grinned.

"You're lucky I find your efforts charming if futile." Her eyes moved to me, and she added, "Is anyone going to introduce us?"

"I thought you might want to do that yourself," he said.

"As with most things, I am better at it than anyone. But since this is our first meeting…"

She lifted an expectant brow at Felix, and he cleared his throat.

"Aurora," he said, "please allow me to present Constance Davenport, the number one wedding planner in the U.S."

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