Page 108 of Cakes for the Grump
I break character, shriek a bit softly, and hug him deeply. It’s not dignified, and immediately I get flustered because a few heads have turned. From the corner of my eye, I see Luke smile at us. I guess he’s okay with it.
“When did you get in?” I ask Theo.
He winks. “Actually, I never left.”
“Wait. So, where have you been?”
“Thighs,” he whispers to me.
“Oi—you found some?”
“Let’s just say I’ve only just come up for air.”
I pester him for more details. He takes my hand and leads me away from Luke, although I put up a bit of a fight.
“Shouldn’t I stay and support him? Isn’t that the point of me being here?”
“He’s doing fine,” Theo reassures. “To prove it, I’ll ask.” Theo beckons Luke by curling his finger at him.
It takes a while to work.
“You don’t belong in public spaces,” Luke says, coming up and glaring at him.
“You love me,” Theo translates.
“I do not. Last time, at one of these events, he put my name down and outbid everyone by more than triple the going rate.”
“For the orphans.”
“Incorrect. I spent a million saving some stink bug in the Amazon.”
Theo shrugs. “You can afford it. Anyway, I’m going to entertain Rita.”
“I can stay,” I interject. “By your side if you need me to?”
Luke shakes his head. “Go. At least one of us deserves to have fun. I’m with a man who hasn’t visited the dentist in a decade, and proceeds to flaunt that information by blowing in my face each time he talks.”
He goes back to his duties, looking decidedly like he is over them. And with that, I’m released from my duties. Theo and I walk around the room. He tells me about the shenanigans of rich people. “Did you know thefeathers on the centerpieces are from exotic birds? Also, all these chairs are brand new. Some people here refuse to sit on anything someone else has already sat on.”
I gasp. “No!”
We interact with the event planner.
She grins. “If you or Mr. Abbot need anyone who will go the extra mile for their clients, here is my card. I’m down for anything. You’ll discover I’m quite flexible. Very accommodating with a talent for organizing bodies of people.”
As I watch her walk away, I say to Theo, I’m unsure of whether I’ve been propositioned for a sexual encounter or for her business.
“Sexual encounter.” He swipes a flute of champagne for us. “Speaking of, though not really, I declare we have a casual dinner party tomorrow night. I’ve been dying to meet your other two best friends so that I can reveal myself and declare I’ve replaced them. Also, my idiot, overworked best friend will join because I find it’s wise to introduce your fake fiancée to best friends so they can judge the choice.”
“He told you about me being his fake fiancée?”
“He did. And I’mlovingit.”
“Of course you are.”
“So…about that party…”
“I doubt Luke will have time to spare.”
