Page 30 of All That Glitters
8
Helen
“There you are.”
Hale caught up to me as I walked out of the downstairs powder room. I’d needed a few minutes to myself. Not long after Ashton walked away, the terrace began crawling with people and I wasn’t interested in conversation. I needed to stare at myself in the mirror for assurance that I was still the same woman who’d arrived at the party and not someone completely different after Ashton’s insistent presence during my one weak moment.
Of all people to have noticed and come to my rescue.
I smiled.
“Who was looking?”
“Me.”
“Okay, well… You found me. Is something wrong? Did something happen?”
“No, I…” Hale glanced around and edged us a little further out of earshot. A small library was across the hall and we slipped inside.
“Hale, what’s going on?”
“What were you doing outside alone with Ashton?” he demanded.
My brow furrowed and I pushed down the defensiveness that rose up. “Nothing. Why?”
“You left with him.”
“I didn’t leave with him. He took me outside to get some air.”
“Are you okay? Why would you need air?”
“The whiskey got to me and I was a little lightheaded. He stayed to make sure I was all right.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. That’s it.”
“Whiskey doesn’t usually do that to you.”
“I haven’t eaten since this morning. I knew better than to have something like that on an empty stomach. What are you really asking?”
I was uncomfortable with his questions. He’d never been this way with me. I hadn’t done anything that would have or should have provoked the mini-interrogation session.
“I just…” He had that look on his face again… Anger. Frustration.
He needed to go punch a bag until he was exhausted, go for a long drive with loud music, or something, anything.
He raked a hand through his short hair, messing up the carefully styled strands and hung his head, shaking it back and forth.
Taking his hand in mine, I brought his attention back to me. “We didn’t talk about you or what’s been going on. We didn’t really talk…at all.” There was the slightest hesitation, but not enough that Hale should notice. Ashton and I talked about a lot without saying much and I wasn’t sure the confusion swirling through me needed examination, though I wanted to dissect every word he said.
Hale sighed and squeezed my fingers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know you’d gone anywhere at all until I heard others talking about it.”
If I rolled my eyes any harder…
“There was nothing for anyone to talk about. Besides, before all this happened, we were friends. I could have disappeared with Ashton for the rest of the night and there wouldn’t have been a question or gossip.”
Hale nodded, but he didn’t look relieved or satisfied. He looked suspicious and like a whipped puppy all at the same time.
