Page 51 of My Ex-Fiance's Best Men
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PHOEBE
“Welcome to the Friends of the Ocean Gala,” a slim, pixie-looking hostess greets us at the main entrance of the Aquatic Museum in North Hampton. “Miss Baldwin and guests?”
She looks at Dominic, August, and Theo as if the embodiments of three Greek gods just walked into the lobby of one of the East Coast’s most popular charity events of the year.
“August and Dominic Coates,” I say with a pleasant smile. “And Theo Forbes.”
“Ah, you’re Penelope’s special guests!” the hostess exclaims, then points across the hall to a massive, tropical-themed bar complete with snazzy neon designs and enough glass shelves loaded with high-end booze to put the whole tri-state area into an alcoholic coma. “She’s right over there, waiting for you.”
“Thank you,” I reply.
Dominic and August hook their arms through mine, while Theo proudly walks beside us. It is strange and a little scary, but with them by my side, I feel confident.
“Our first public outing,” Theo says as he looks around. “Are you ready, Phoebe?”
“If I say yes, I’d be lying.”
“We’re right here with you, baby,” Dominic reassures me.
“I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
August chuckles. “She might bolt the minute we take our eyes off her.”
“Absolutely.” We laugh as we make our way through the crowd.
The entire main hall of the museum has been decorated in the spirit of a luxurious under-the-sea party for the East Coast’s elites. Beautiful shells and faux coral sculptures hang about, while intricate glass tentacles in a variety of colors swirl down from the cathedral ceiling. Large aquariums hosting a diversity of ocean life for the museum’s visitors to admire line the walls. An electro jazz orchestra plays on a small stage.
Tonight, however, we have the main hall for Penny’s favorite charity gala, as she’s on the organizing committee and has been pulling its strings for three years running.
Everywhere I look, I see sleek tuxes and shimmering gowns adorned with sparkling jewels. The sound of clinking champagne glasses fills my ears as we walk through the crowd.
“That blue dress looks beautiful with your tan,” Theo says, giving me a smile as we cross the hall.
“I know pretty much everyone here,” I whisper.
“I’m not surprised. Most of them are New York socialites,” Dominic says. “Heirs, heiresses, trust fund babies galore. But I see some Rhode Island folks around too,” he adds, nodding toour left. “That guy over there, with the silver hair and silver tie? He’s one of our business associates. Big finance shark. Don’t let his smile fool you. He will bury you if it brings him a profit.”
“Penny did one hell of a job here tonight,” August comments. “It’s actually better than last year’s, and I wasn’t sure how she’d manage to top that one.”
“Oh, that’s right, you attended last year’s event, as well,” I reply, remembering that particular night, how fat and unattractive I felt walking beside Matthew, shortly after he told me I could’ve gone for a looser fitting dress that would have hidden “those extra pounds.”
“I may have had one too many drinks that night to recall the details.”
“You were drowning out Matthew’s garbage, most likely,” Theo replies.
I give him a surprised look. “You remember?”
“I remember him complaining about your dress. Then again, he spent half the evening schmoozing with Crystal and trying to get a hand up Georgina’s skirt,” he scoffs. “Personally, I found you utterly delectable. His loss, our gain.”
Penny turns around just in time to see us walking toward her. She looks gorgeous in her little black dress and Louboutin heels, her hair pulled back into a sleek bun, artsy vintage earrings dangling from her ears.
“Phoebe!” she exclaims, holding up a glass of champagne for me as we approach. “Finally! I’ve been looking for you!”
“You have?” I laugh as we hug, then take a sip of the champagne while my guys shake the hand of her date. The tall man standingnext to her looks familiar with his brown hair and all-American smile. “You already have company, I see.”
“Ah, yes,” she replies, as if barely remembering she brought a date. “This is Todd Chapman, my date. And a generous donor to our cause for tonight, of course.”
