Page 88 of Two Chambered Heart

“Nope, I heard it. I’ll point her out. She’s very beautiful too. Shame he can’t hold on to her.”

“Back to my question. Which painting?”

“Whichever one you want,” Jason said, finally taking a step towards Wilkinson, who was still chatting up his competitor.

“What a gentlemanly answer!” an older lady said, sliding up beside them and lacing an arm over Jason’s shoulder, fucking up his escape plan.

“Larissa.” Jason put a hand on her shoulder and kissed both cheeks. “A pleasure to see you again. This is a beautiful event you’ve organized here.”

“I’m glad you and your brother could make it.” She beamed at him, eyes moving to Corey. “And with such a lovely date, too. I’m Larissa Rottenburg, president of the National Women’s Health Network.”

She held out her hand to Corey, whose eyes widened slightly.

Corey shook her hand vigorously. “I’m such a big fan. You do such great work on reproductive rights! I saw your last petition to Congress, and honestly, it was excellent. You speak so well.” In typical Corey fashion, she was gushing her every thought. Jason was surprised that she knew who the woman was.

“That’s so kind. But yes, we need a woman in there, or all these men inherewill forget all about us.” She flicked her platinum hair over her shoulder, her diamond rings flashing with the movement.

“I didn’t even know this was your event. The guys didn’t really tell me many details.”

“Isn’t that usually how it goes?” Larissa chuckled, waving her perfectly manicured hand. “Beautiful dress, by the way. I heard that Chopard was impossible to get a hold of.”

“Oh, this old thing?” Corey said nervously, looking down at her dress and then up at Kayden, oblivious that it had cost as much as her plate had.

“Such a darling! So humble,” Larissa said, elbowing Kayden suggestively. “So, which one of these two are you here with tonight?”

“Umm… both of them?” Corey answered, her words sounding much more like a question.

Larissa cackled, and Corey smiled sheepishly. “This is the kind of progressive thinking we need to mainstream. Why have one boyfriend when you can have two? I tell my husband this all the time. Such a prude, though, wants to spoil all my fun.” She took a sip from her glass, the beverage as pink as her three-tiered dress. “But what he doesn’t know doesn’t hurt him.” She winked at them. “Anyway, I need to go mingle with the crowd some more before we’re called in for dinner. Round up the sheep!” She twirled a finger through the air again and gave another snicker. “It was fabulous to meet you. Jason, Kayden, a wonderful choice with this one.”

Larissa took another big gulp of her drink before strutting away, the train of her dress swishing behind her.

“Wow, she was not what I was expecting,” Corey said, still watching after her with confusion. Jason was just happy that Corey hadn’t given out her name.

“She’s probably drunk. That woman is work or play. There’s no in between with her,” Kayden answered.

“You know her well?”

“Jason gives a lot of funding and support to her organization. She’s quite sharp, and she’s excellent at these types of events. No one takes her too seriously because she presents as a drunk, ditzy blond, but then boom, her health reform bill has somehow been accepted.”

Corey turned her focus back to Jason. “What do you get out of it?”

“Out of what?” Jason asked.

“Out of supporting the National Women’s Health Network.”

“Nothing. I’m not a woman.” He was already trying to spot Wilkinson again.

“Obviously,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Why are you in such a mood tonight?”

He couldn’t find him lost in the crowd, and it was stressing him out. He only vaguely registered Corey’s question and just shrugged, hoping that would suffice.

Based on her huff of breath, it probably didn’t.

“Is everyone just cheating on their partners here? Is that, like, a rich people thing?”

“I think it’s an unhappy relationship thing. I don’t cheat, and I’m rich,” he heard his brother respond.

Another server passed by with a bottle of whiskey and glasses, and Jason stopped him, exchanging his empty for a fresh glass. The grand doors opened, and a man with a megaphone requested everyone to enter the dining area and take their seats.

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