Page 61 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Unbelievable.” I shake my head.
“So who was that? She looked familiar but I was too blinded by your obvious frustration to look closer.” She picks her wrap back up, taking another bite as I answer.
“Jessica Vanderbilt.” Her mouth pops open, partially chewed chicken wrap on full display.
“Themodeland hotel empire heiress, Jessica Vanderbilt?”
“I’m amazed I understood any of that, but yes.” She finishes chewing, washing it down with a drink before sitting back in her chair. “She is also the person my father has invited on behalf to every single event we’ve hosted the last few months.” She blinks an unnatural amount of times after hearing that. “You okay there, Sweetheart?”
“Shut up for a second.” She processes a little longer and her expression changes. “So you mean to tell me the girl you were supposed to bring as your date, or actually date, or whatever the plan was, is a girl meant to inherit an entire chain of hotels. Meanwhile, you’re supposed to inherit the largest real estate company, not only in New York but across the country? And you thought datingmewould cause your parents to let go of that dream?”
“Ithoughtif they saw me making the decision to settle down for myself; if they saw me running my life the way they think I should, but with someoneIchose, they would trust that I’m capable of running a company.”
She stares at me blankly then abruptly pushes away from the table. “Excuse me.” She’s up and heading down the hall before I can even try to stop her. The last thing I need is to cause a spectacle with my fake girlfriend at thefirstevent we attend together, so I let her go. My father would have a field day if that were to happen, and I am sure I would never hear the end of it. I stand up, slowly following the direction she went in, but she’s nowhere to be found.
How does she move so fast in those shoes?
I check my watch and see that the panel I’m on is starting in ten minutes. She was supposed to be front row for that, same as before, but I’m not so sure that will be happening.
“Lose her already?” My teeth grind together when I hear Jessica’s voice.
“No.” I turn to face her and place my hands on my hips.
She lets out a breathy sigh, taking a step closer and dusting the shoulders of my sports coat. “Some girls just can’t handle a challenge, Fitz. You need someone a little tougher than that by your side. Let’s face it, you’re going to have women fawning all over you for the rest of your life. You’re smart, sexy, and super successful. I can handle that. But can she?”
“Well, I’m handlingyoupawing at him when he just told you he was taken, so I think we’ll be just fine.” Lauren slides her hand in mine and wraps her other one around my forearm, making my body immediately relax. Jessica’s eyes watch it happen and she scoffs.
“Being jealous and being able to actually handle women throwing themselves at him are two completely different things.” Lauren takes a step closer to her, with a lethal smile on her face.
“Believe me, I’m not jealous. If Fitz decides he wants to partake in activities with the desperate women throwing themselves at him, then by all means, they can have him.Jealousy isn’t an issue when you have trust.” Jessica frowns when her eyes meet mine. “Now, I believe we have a panel to get to, if you’ll excuse us.”
I clear my throat, trying to compose myself after watching Lauren put Jessica in her place like that. “You ready?” She nods and we leave, not bothering to say anything else to Jessica. If she wants to play dirty, then so be it. Only I don’t think she’s going to like the way we play the game. Because I have a new partner, and we playverywell together.
I thought Lauren might be ready to call it a day before the mixer even started, but she has eased into the night flawlessly. She’s smiling and talking to associates and attendees alike, every one of them seemingly captivated by every single thing she says. I get it, I am too. Which is exactly why I want to throw her over my shoulder and take her home. I already find myself wanting to be greedy with her and I’m not even sorry. I never have been one to share well. I blame it on only-child syndrome.
“Chapman, Henderson, how are you both doing tonight?” I ask, inserting myself into their conversation.
“I think we can agree our night is going pretty well.” Jefferey Chapman, the absolute scum of New York gives Nico Henderson a suggestive look that has my blood absolutely boiling. “That is fantastic news. I’m afraid I need to steal my girl away though.” The frown on both of their faces tells me everything I need to know aboutwhytheir night was going so well.
“We didn’t know this was your girl, Fitz,” Nico pipes up, and I get the unfamiliar urge to punch him in his smug face.
“Now you do.” I smile, holding out an arm to guide Lauren in the opposite direction.
“Nice talking to you both.” She gives them a smile bigger than any I’ve ever had directed at me, which only pisses me off further. I place my hand on the small of her back and we make our way through the room.
“What the hell was that?” I growl under my breath.
“Um. Talking?” she states as though it should have been obvious.
“Looked a lot like flirting to me.” She stops dead in her tracks and I turn to face her.
“You better be talking about their end of the conversation and not mine.” She looks as angry as I am now.
“I don’t know. Am I?”
She scoffs, shaking her head in disbelief. “What do you want from me Fitz? I’m here, aren’t I? I’m playing the girlfriend. I’m marketing foryourcompany, I’m stepping in when a boundary-blind model starts pawing at you, and you’re mad atme? For what?!”
I can’t tell her. She would laugh in my face. Or think I’m crazy. Or both.
