Now he beamed with pride beside her. He’d wanted Rose to be confident and he’d given her every reason to feel as if she fit in. Every eye that fell on her was followed with a warm smile in greeting. Some of the men’s gazes were heated with attraction. Some of the women’s eyes were tainted with a touch of jealousy. But they all looked at her. Or at least, they looked at Xander and then wondered who the woman with him was.
“Are you okay?” Xander asked as they blended into the crowd.
Rose nodded, but it was a lie. She didn’t want him to know how nervous she was when he was so concerned about her enjoying herself tonight. She appreciated how hard he was trying to make this trip special. He genuinely wanted her to move to the area. She should be happy that he wanted to spend as much time with Joey as he could. That he was willing to support them in a town so expensive.
Instead she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. It always did.
“Would you like some champagne?” Xander asked. There were several bars set up along the edges of the ballroom and one nearby.
“Please,” she said, although she knew that meant being left alone for a few minutes. It was worth it to get enough of a buzz to relax her body and mind. Maybe then she could enjoy herself the way he wanted her to.
Xander squeezed her hand and then disappeared through the crowd of people to the bar.
Rose took a deep breath once she was alone to calm herself. There really wasn’t a threat she could see. Just a bunch of rich people mingling and sipping cocktails. Not exactly a dangerous situation, but still her heart was racing, her body tense and prepared for a fight-or-flight response.
Her entire life, she’d doubted that she would ever be able to make it in Xander’s fast-paced, glamorous world. When Xander had asked her to come with him to Georgetown, she’d been too afraid to go. Even if her mother hadn’t been sick, she would’ve sought out an excuse. Fate had forced her hand and here she was in D.C., testing the waters at last. She was certain that she would immediately be fingered as an outsider, but so far, so good. She’d gotten a few glances, but at least no one had called security on her.
At his book signing this afternoon, she’d sat beside him the whole time. She’d made herself useful by opening up the books to the correct page for him to autograph. There must have been at least two hundred people in line to see him, many with touching stories about their own foster experiences. Xander had been gracious to them all, making each person who came up feel important, even after three solid hours. He had an amazing way with people.
She had to admit that the clothes and the salon treatment were nice, but they weren’t what gave her the confidence to come to this party. They weren’t what encouraged her to stand taller and smile at strangers. It was Xander’s faith in her. He sincerely believed in her. He didn’t see the other people here as being better than she was. Xander inspired her to be the best version of herself she could be. She wanted to be the kind of woman Xander could love someday.
She glanced over her shoulder at the line for the bar. He was standing there, chatting with the woman ahead of him. His Valentino tuxedo fit him like a second skin, his black satin bow tie the perfect touch to his flawlessly starched white shirt. He looked so handsome with his light brown hair brushed back and his wide, charming smile. The elegant-looking woman talking to him seemed dazzled. She leaned in, placing a light hand on his lapel as she laughed at something Xander said.
Rose sighed and turned away. She didn’t want to watch anymore. She didn’t know anything about that woman, but it only took a moment for her to know in her heart that this woman was more suitable for Xander than she would ever be.
“Here you go. One glass of courage.”
Startled, Rose spun on her heels to find Xander standing behind her with champagne flutes in each hand. “Thank you,” she said, taking the one he offered. She took a healthy sip, closing her eyes and feeling the warmth spread from her stomach to the rest of her body. It did wonders to calm her. After a moment, she was finally able to focus on the party itself and not on that woman or whether or not everyone was looking at her. “So what is the schedule for tonight?”
Xander picked up a program from one of the nearby tables. “Looks like mingling, dinner, speeches and then dancing. Somewhere in there they’ll plug my book and ask for money. I’m sure they’ll be a lot more subtle, though.”
“Sounds like we have a long night ahead.” She eyed her mostly empty glass. “I’m going to need more champagne.”
“Not necessarily. We can leave now, if you like.”