Page 58 of Doc Showmance
A stunning mature woman in a white wrap dress and sparkly neck jewelry—the kind that looked so heavy I wondered if she got neck pain—greeted another couple near us. Everything about her was the pinnacle of coiffed, from her extra-long eyelashes to her blonde hair professionally done in a French twist, to her fresh manicure.
Ian’s hand held mine tight and didn’t let go.
The woman’s gaze narrowed as she focused in on us. “Ian, darling, you’re late. At least you’re dressed.”
“Mom, this is Amber Hardin. Amber, this is my mother, Victoria.”
“Thank you for having me join your family today, Mrs. Todd.” That sounded polite, right? I was trying when all I wanted to do was rip into her for euthanizing a puppy before it even had a chance at life.
Mrs. Todd took my hand for maybe two seconds in a limp shake. Her scrutiny swept over my dress and got stuck on my arm tattoo. To her credit, not a single emotion showed on her face. “Come in, both of you. Ian, I need for you to speak with Senator Mullis now. He has questions about a new medical bill that is being proposed. Amber, if you can find someone else to talk to while he does that, I would appreciate it. There are plenty of girls your age here.” Then she narrowed her eyes at Martin. “The filming ends here.”
“No, ma’am,” Martin said. I totally gave the guy props for standing up to her. “According to my producer, you agreed to allow me into the event to film these two. I understand the ground rules that all other guests will be edited out as best possible.”
Mrs. Todd scowled. “I did agree to that, it seems. You can filmher.But stay away from the rest of the people. I will spread the word that faces will be blurred out.”
Imperiously, she swept to the next couple that was entering.
Martin gave Mrs. Todd a nasty look as he melted into a corner and aimed the camera our way.
Ian’s mother led a group of us into the huge open area. The chandelier alone looked like it’d take up the entire downstairs of my house. I whispered to him, “This is…a lot.”
He leaned in to say, “It’s pretentious. The dining room is up one floor. Mom’s going to do her damnedest to separate us. If it works, try not to kill anyone. See the blonde twins over there? Steer clear of them. I don’t know the rest of these people other than— Here comes my brother.”
Victoria Todd got waylaid by a couple.
A man who was as tall as Ian but blond instead of brunette, with the same gray eyes, cuffed Ian on the shoulder. “Heard Mom figured out a way to get you up here. I also heard you’ve changed TV shows and this is your new costar.” His gaze settled on my shoulder tattoo and jumped to my nose ring. That slight judgmental twist of his lips… Yep, I didn’t belong here. These weren’t my people. “I bet you gave Mom a heart attack and a half when she saw you.” He snickered. “Did you bring her on purpose, Ian? To give Mom the raised middle finger? Don’t get me wrong, this girl looks like fun, but to bring her here?”
“I’m standing right here, asshole,” I gritted out. “Youdon’t look like fun.”
Ian had on his brilliant smile. “Brock, this is Amber. Stop being a douche.”
“Excuse me, I’m being summoned by Dad. Good luck, Amber.” Brock left.
“I don’t like him,” I whispered.
“I don’t either most of the time. Don’t trust him.”
Mrs. Todd returned. She chinned toward a group of older men in a corner. “Ian. Go talk to the senator now.”
“I don’t want to leave Amber. That’s in poor taste, Mom. She doesn’t know anyone here.”
“She’s a big girl who can handle herself, I hope.”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I’ll grab a drink and meet you at the bar. You want anything?”
“I’ll find you in a minute.” Ian shot me an apologetic look before squeezing my hand to walk off.
The moment he left, his mother moved to stand closer to me. “You’re way out of your depth, Amber Hardin. You’re no more than a diversion to him.” Her side glance communicated a clearyou don’t belong. “His end game is here. Get out of the way of his future.”
“Pretty sure Ian has his own idea of an end game. I’m thinking it doesn’t involve anything here.”
Her eyes widened as if no one dared questioned her. “You think you know him because you’re the flavor of the week?” She showed her teeth in what an outsider might perceive as a smile but to me looked more like a terrier warning me before she bit. “You will never be enough for him. You’re certainly not right for him.”
I forced a bright grin. “I’m going to enjoy the hell out of being the flavor of the week. I’m not looking to be Ms. Right. I’m looking for low-expectation fun and, so far, your son is living up to my expectations. Except for this.” I waved at the room full of dressed up people. “If it wasn’t for the TV show, I wouldn’t be within a hundred miles of all this. You have no worries that I want to sink my claws into Ian and push him toward wedding vows.”
“Good.” Mrs. Todd smiled coldly as she moved off to speak to a group of ladies.
A drink was in order to survive this.
