Page 63 of Eligible Best Friend

He shakes it, then turns back to Lia. “Senator Wescott said you might make it. How was the trip?”

“Ford drove, so it was easy for me. We just arrived, so I have yet to greet them.”

Samuel glances over his shoulder, where I have yet to spot Elaine and Gerald Wescott. “The party reps are here, vying for her attention.”

“I know how it goes, and I’m glad I don’t have to deal with it anymore. If you’ll excuse us.”

I take that as my cue to steer us away from her ex, but as we start, he reaches a hand out.

“Wait, Aurelia. Did you get my—” His eyes flick to mine. “Mind if I talk to her privately?”

Lia shoots me a questioning look. She has unfinished business with the man and I hope she takes this moment to tie off a loose, dangly end. But that’s not my decision. If she wants a word with him, so be it.

I incline my head. “Want something to drink?”

Samuel answers instead. “Refreshments are on the far end, but there are servers with trays of the moscato she likes.”

I arch a brow. I didn’t come here to piss on his territory.

Instead, I ask Lia directly. “What would you like to drink?”

Lia bites her lower lip like she’s trying not to grin. “Thanks for asking. Water is fine for now.”

I don’t bother giving Samuel a dirty look, leaving to get what my woman says she wants.

I dodge chatting couples and small groups on my way to the minibar. Next to it is a table holding flutes of what I hope is water. I grab one, and at the same time, a server wanders by. I do what I’ve seen in the movies and grab a glass as they pass.

“It’s Aurelia’s favorite,” a woman says next to me.

Mrs. Wescott.

“This is for me, actually. She wanted water.”

“Mm.” She tilts her head like she’s inspecting a bug, but her expression is more curious and less hostile than I expected.

I lift my glass toward the group of people I assumed she was in. “I thought we’d have to fight our way through there to get to you.”

Her smile is brief. “An aide needed a word. Gerald is used to covering for me as I get pulled away.” She looks around. “Where is she?”

“Samuel wanted a moment.”

Her brows lift. She’s an older version of Lia, just as elegant, but with an obvious command of power. I can see how the woman’s shadow swallowed Lia up. “Indeed. And you’re okay letting her go?”

“She can make her own decisions. She doesn’t need me to make them for her.”

Mrs. Wescott nods. “I’m surprised you came. After our last meeting, I didn’t think you’d want to.”

And if I didn’t, neither would Lia. “We do things that are important to the people who are important to us.”

Mild surprise registers in her expression. “These things haven’t been important to Lia.”

“But they are to you, and I can’t speak for her, but I think she misses you.”

This time her smile is sad. “I miss her as well. Her father does too. I suppose we could make more time to travel. We just thought…” She purses her lips.

“That she’d come back.”

She feathers her fingers over her tight bun. “I suppose every parent’s goal is to raise their children to make their own way in life. I shouldn’t complain when she does just that.”

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