Page 132 of Dream Girl
The moment they left, Brennan was at my side, expression somewhere between concern and a scowl. “What did he say to you? You had quite the conversation.”
“I’m sorry, but I do believe Jett owes me a dance.” Grabbing Jett’s hand, I pulled him onto the floor. I was having too nice of an evening to deal with Brennan’s obstinate bullshit.
Jett seamlessly maneuvered us onto the dance floor. This one was a little more complicated.
“Don’t worry, I know all of these. Hazard of being Brennan’s permanent date,” he assured.
“Sergeant Hawthorne remembered me from when I was brought into the station. He wanted to make sure I was safe, and I assured him I was. That’s all,” I told Jett as we clapped hands and turned.
“He’s a good guy. He was Lexi’s first boss. I had no idea he was one of Marcos’ dads. Thanks for updating me. Should I return you, or do you want to finish?” Jett spun me.
“We can finish, but after this, I’m going to need a break.” Sweat dripped down my back. I’d kept the wrap on all night over my backless dress, to hide my scars.
When the dance finished, Jett returned me to the table. Brennan hovered, a glass in his hand, looking like he wanted to say something.
“Excuse me, I’m going to find the ladies' room.” I darted out of the ballroom and down the hall. I used the restroom and took a moment to cool down.
A woman, maybe a little younger than me, was applying her lipstick. She’d been at a nearby table and had been staring at me on and off all evening.
“I don’t mean to be weird, but is your dad a chemistry professor at Briar University?” she asked.
“No, he has a hardware store,” I replied.
“Oh, okay. It’s just that you look a lot like my favorite professor from undergrad.” She smiled at me.
Well, at least he was a favorite and not the hated one who tanked everyone’s grades.
“Grace, I heard back from the chapter president, and she said there was no issue with considering you for membership. Apparently, there are gammas in other chapters. I’ll text you about our next meeting; at least come and check us out?” an omega who was an astrophysicist asked as she washed her hands.
“Thanks, I’d love that.” I fished my lipstick out of my purse and touched it up. She and Rami belonged to a professional organization that was all omegas in the sciences. It sounded fun.
I left the bathroom and went back into the ballroom and found Spencer.
Spencer put an arm around my waist. “Shall we get dessert and sit?”
“Please.” I liked that gesture as he pulled me close.
The display of desserts was resplendent, filled with flowers and all sorts of tasty morsels. Coffee and desserts in hand, we returned to our table, which was right in front; the only better table was the one with Brennan and his family.
Spencer held out my chair for me, and we sat. His manners were like something out of a fairytale.
“You’re enjoying yourself?” he murmured as he took a sip of coffee. “We can leave whenever you wish. I don’t want you to overexert yourself on my account.”
“I’m getting a little tired, but this has been great, thank you.” I tried a little dessert. No, not my style.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He picked up a tiny chocolate pastry. “Here, try.”
I realized he meant to feed it to me, and I opened my mouth and took a bite. Normally, I’d be embarrassed, but this dinner had shown me public affection, including feeding people bites of things, was perfectly normal here. As well as reiterating that love came in all forms.
The dark chocolate oozed over my tongue and exploded with a hint of orange. I closed my eyes and groaned. “That’s amazing.”
“They’re one of my favorites,” he told me, taking a bite of another.
A few people came and chatted with us as we finished dessert, and Brennan’s mom made some closing remarks, thanking everyone for coming.
“She’s quite formidable, isn’t she?” I whispered to Spencer. I’d watched her all evening. Everyone deferred to her.
“She is. Brennan’s unhappy when she meddles, and she’s been meddling quite a bit lately,” he told me.
