Page 206 of Dream Girl
“Fine.” Riley made a face.
“Also, as tempting as it is to get drunk at these things, please resist. I’m saying this mostly for my own benefit,” he added, raking a hand through his dark hair.
“It’ll be fine, Grace,” Wes told me. “It’s a party for charity. Aside from being bored to death, what can go wrong?”
The limo pulled up in front of an elegant building with columns and a large staircase in front that felt more like a museum than a hotel. A red carpet lined the stairs, as did reporters with cameras and microphones. Spectators watched from behind red ropes.
I looked out the window of the limo as Katie got out, offering Rami her arm. Lexi followed along with the rest of their pack. They went up the staircase in pairs and trios, and our limo moved to the front position.
Brennan took a deep breath. “Here we go.”
He got out first and offered a hand to both Jett and Evan. Spencer got out next, and people called his name from the crowd. He helped Riley out. Brennan took Jett and Evan’s arms and went to the foot of the staircase, waiting for Katie’s pack to finish their ascent.
Wes helped me out of the limo, and I froze at all the people watching as Riley helped maneuver my dress out of the limo and onto the sidewalk.
“Breathe.” Wes’ breath was warm on my cheek as he whispered in my ear. I pulled my wrap closer since it was a little chilly.
Spencer squeezed my hand, then took Riley’s arm, whispering something in her ear, as he led her to the foot of the staircase where Jett, Evan, and Brennan had started to walk up.
Arm in arm, Wes and I walked down the red carpet to the foot of the stairs as I tried to ignore the people taking pictures.
“You’ve got this,” Wes whispered. “You’re the most beautiful woman here–and I think this dress will look even better on my floor than the red one.”
I laughed as we made our way up the stairs. “It will definitely take up more space.”
We joined the others on the landing, took a photo, and then started back up in the same order.
When we got to the top, we took a picture in front of a sign advertising the foundation. We all went inside the hotel, where we went up another staircase, and took another photo. Then we were ushered over to another sign, this one accented with flowers and greenery. Siobhan and Frank Morris were waiting for us, along with a guy who looked like Brennan.
“You made it.” Siobhan’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she surveyed our attire. She nodded at Riley’s but frowned a little at mine.
“We wouldn’t miss it, Mother, Father.” Brennan’s teeth were gritted. “Troy, another great party as usual.”
“Yes, well, a lot of work went into it. Not that you’d understand, little brother.” Troy’s look was politely scathing.
Right. Brennan’s brother, who ran the foundation.
“Grace. Riley. Oh, you two really do class up the pack,” Frank told us.
Riley struck a pose. “I aim to please.”
“Why don’t you go mingle,” Siobhan told us, in a clear dismissal, as more people arrived.
We checked in at a table and entered an open area where there was a bar, servers with canapes, Katie’s pack, and some other people. Soft music played. The mood wasn’t as festive as at the science dinner.
“Grace.” Rami, in a black tux with silver accents, rushed over to me. He looked me up and down. “Girl.”
“Careful, she’s mine.” Evan laughed, putting an arm around me.
“You’re coming to the meeting on Wednesday, right?” Rami asked, pulling me over to the side as Brennan dragged Jett and Evan off to the bar and Lexi cornered Wes.
“I can’t wait.” I was going to try out a meeting of the Daedalus Society. Hopefully, it was a nice group of people. I’d like to make some friends.
“That dress,” Rami added, looking me up and down appreciatively.
“I know. I took a video. It’s incredible,” Riley said, joining us.
“No one’s wearing anything like it.” I bit my lower lip. The women here were wearing things more like what I’d worn to the science dinner.
