“She has a new boyfriend,” Min whispered. “Prospective husband number four.”
Logan didn’t answer. He’d screwed up her life—the ramifications of his stupid impulse? Impacting on her job. Her family relationships.
How much worse was this evening going to get?
Chapter Twenty
#tTheOtherWoman
Min went into the bathroom to change into the dress she’d bought. Then she stood at the mirror to brush her hair one last time and touch up her make-up.
And try not to panic.
There were going to be ex-lovers of Logan’s there, she just knew it. They were going to look at her and think ‘average’, then they were going to talk to her and think ‘freak’. They were going to know in an instant that this was fake relationship. No way would Logan Hughes seriously consider her as a wife-to-be. It was ludicrous.
Suddenly she was furious with him for putting her in this situation. Furious with herself for agreeing to this crazy scheme. This was exactly the sort of thing she’d spent most of her adult life avoiding.
Hell, she could even hear the tone of her mother’s voice—her disapproval as Min disappointed her. The dress wasn’t designer enough. She didn’t look the part. Certainly didn’t sound the part.
She drew in a deep breath. Calm down.
Getting anxious would only trigger her stutter. The more she fretted that she’d do it, the more likely she would. Self-fulfilling freaking prophecy and all.
She just needed to get a grip. She had the phrases. She looked at her reflection and practiced.
“Thank you.” She breathed slowly. Spoke slowly. “It’s lovely to meet you. Yes, I live in New York. We met in New York. I’m so pleased to be here. Thank you. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Min?”
She whirled.
“I knocked but you didn’t hear me.” He stood in the doorway looking so unfairly handsome that all the words flew out of her head.
His tuxedo fitted so smoothly it was obviously bespoke. It made him look taller, leaner, all masculine predator. The kind of alpha male who had it all—looks, brains, wealth, skills.
Unbeatable.
“You know you don’t need to worry.” His gaze narrowed. “I’ll be with you. You won’t have to do a speech or anything.”
“But your mom said she wanted—”
“Never in my adult life have I done what my mother wanted,” he grinned, the roguish imp emerging. “Why would I start now?”
She laughed. Just as he’d intended. “Thanks,” she whispered.
“No, I’m the one who needs to thank you.” He held out his hand. “You look amazing.”
She’d gone for green. It wasn’t fancy, no fitted princess kind of ball dress, or ultra stylised chic thing. The chiffon fitted around her breasts it then fell loose in a slim sheath to the floor—perhaps it was a little too woodland nymph-ish for such a fancy party, but it would have to do. She had no jewelry other than the huge rock on her finger. She needed no other jewelry. Taking a deep breath she put her hand in his. He laced his fingers through hers, locked them.
“It’s okay?”
“More than okay. And if we don’t leave this room now, we never will.”
She glanced up at him, saw the heat in his eyes as he looked her over. Satisfaction warmed her. So did the sight of him. Her moth dried. Her pulse thundered in her ears.
“Min.”
She realized she was staring at him. “Sorry.”
“Don’t ever be sorry for looking at me like that.” He led her out into the hallway. “We’d really better go.”
“So, the ‘ballroom’?” she asked, aiming for distraction.
He nodded. They’d not been allowed into the ballroom on their tour of the hotel yesterday, it was being prepared and Elaine had wanted it to be a surprise. And a surprise it was.
“There’s a red carpet?” She sent him a look. “Seriously?”
“Well, it’s not red. We’re not that tacky.” He rolled his eyes.
It was royal blue. As she heard the voices, saw the beautiful people gliding in, terror all but froze her.
“Min?”
Dutifully, awkwardly Min paused on the carpet next to Logan while the photographer took a visual record for the occasion. Then they went into the room
If she’d thought the great hall in his parents’ private lodge was magnificent, the ballroom was obscene. This wasn’t the ‘country lodge’ look, but faux French chateau. There were gilt edged mirrors on the walls, dazzling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling—three of them, in perfect symmetry. Crystal, gold and glittering lights. And then there were the flowers. In winter, they’d managed to fill the place with white roses and peonies and gardenias. Bridal flowers. The scent was amazing.
The whole room screamed opulence and extravagance.
Min paused on the threshold. There were so many people present. And so many of them were now looking at her. At him. Back at her.
Logan stepped in front of her, turning his back on the crowded room. He tilted her chin a little higher with his thumb. “We can do this.” He kissed her lightly—too lightly. The merest brush of his mouth over hers.
She drew a breath. “I thought—”
“It was a freebie,” he teased and then leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “Thank you for coming with me.”
Before she could reply, he turned and took her hand again, drawing her deeper into the room.
“Logan!”
So many people seemed to be calling to him. Wanting to talk and meet her. Min smiled, her heart oddly soothed, her nervousness settled. He was pleased to have her with him? Oh she knew he was being charming, but she was willing to believe it for this moment. And really, she didn’t have to worry about what anyone else thought of her. Of them. She could treat this as fun, right?
Min sipped her champagne and stood beside Logan, her hand still firmly in his. She smiled as he caught up with the seemingly millions of acquaintances, answered the same questions with her short, generic, reliable answers.
They probably thought she was boring. But she didn’t care.
Standing quietly at his side, she watched the scene. She’d never been to a party like this, had always refused invitations to large social gatherings. Not wanting to get nervous and blocked. Not wanting to look a fool. Now she relaxed enough to enjoy it. To admire the dresses, the music. The food. The interaction. The beautiful people.
Along the edge of the room the photographer slyly moved, taking photos discreetly. There was something about him Min didn’t like. It wasn’t because of Logan’s word at the airport. It was the way the guy looked at Dani. The younger woman looked amazing in the deep blue, silk dress. Backless, it clung to her slim form. Stunning. And it wasn’t appropriate for a fifty-something pervy man with a camera in hand to be looking that way at her.
“I have to head to the front for the formal part now,” Logan murmured in her ear, distracting her.
“Of course.” Min smiled at him.
He had that tense look about his eyes and she squeezed his hand before letting him go. He could do this. Whatever it was between him and his parents, he could get through the next twenty minutes and then escape again.
He reached forward, suddenly sliding his hand into her hair. He kissed her on the mouth. Hot. Too quick. Then he turned.
“Come on.” Chelsea suddenly stepped up and put her arm along Min’s shoulders. “Let’s head to the back row for the speeches, so we can escape if they go on for too long.”
Min chuckled but glanced after Logan who was slowly weaving his way through the crowd. “I don’t think I’m supposed to do that.”
“You’ve done enough for now. You deserve a break from the microscope.” Chelsea turned and looked at her. “Logan asked me to rescue you from this for a few minutes.”
He had? Oh. Good.
She zoned out during Connor’s speech. And Rex’s. Both talked company stuff. She was too busy watching Logan as he listened.
He was masking it, but the tension was there. He wasn’t enjoying it at all.
They announced Rex’s retirement—to much laughter and back-slapping. Then there was the speech and toast to Rex and Elaine and their forty years of wedded bliss.
And then it was Logan’s turn.
Min tensed.
“We’re thrilled to be part of the celebrations. Congratulations to Mom and Dad. Min and I are so happy we could be here tonight, to celebrate what’s gone before,” he glanced at his parents. “And to look forward to the future.” He looked across the crowd to Min. “Thank you.”
Short and succinct. And totally letting her off the hook.
Warmth flooded her as he stood on that specially built podium and maintained that eye contact for far too long. She smiled, couldn’t help it when she saw the wicked gleam in his eyes.
And then she heard the wolf whistles and cheers.
Blushing, she broke the eye contact and turned her head.
Dani was right beside her, staring at her with wide eyes. “What do you do to him?” she asked, under cover of the applause.
“Pardon?”
“To make him watch you like that. I’ve never seen Logan look at any woman the way he looks at you. I’ve never seen any man look at a woman the way he looks at you.”
Min swallowed. A bit embarrassed. “Um...”
“You’ll be good to him, won’t you?” Danielle suddenly said. “Logan hardly ever lets down his guard. He hardly ever lets anyone in.”
“Um...” This girl was what, nineteen? Logan must have been away for years before she was old enough to form such opinions. So, who had she heard that from?
Min glanced back across the room towards Logan, but caught Connor watching her. Not smiling. But his eyes didn’t seem quite as chilly as they had when she’d first met him. Both younger siblings seemed to be protective of their supposedly bad big brother. The question was why?
She turned back to Dani, but she’d been collared by the photographer. She turned again and started to walk over to Chelsea and Xander.
But suddenly Logan was beside her. He grabbed her hand and tugged. She followed, which was hard because he was going fast and she was in high heels.
“What’s the hurry?”