He laughs, shaking my hand vigorously before giving me a hug.
“God! It is lovely,” he exclaims, taking it all in. “You did it again…and I’m sorry I’m late.”
I smile. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
“Last-minute issues with the play.” He turns his attention to Rachel. “Didn’t hurt that he had a plane waiting for me.” He hugs her lightly and kisses her cheek. “It’s good to see you, Rachel.”
“Same here,” she replies. “You look good.”
“Desperate damage control before leaving the plane.” He grins. “You should have seen me escaping New York and those horrible rehearsals. I looked like a fugitive.”
I watch them laughing, realizing just then that they are the two most important people to me in the world. Rachel catches me watching her and gives me a questioning look.
How do I tell her she means the world to me?
A guest approaches me to gush about the hotel, forcing my attention away.
Rachel and Aidan are still talking when Ava joins us. She takes my hand and almost blinds me with her smile.
“Always so sexy in a tux,” she whispers in my ear.
There’s a quick flash as someone takes a picture. I back away from her, wondering how much she’s had to drink.
“Ava Sinclair.” Aidan’s dislike is evident in his voice. “I never thought I’d see this face again.”
Ava gives him a look that mirrors his. “It’s been ages, hasn’t it?” She turns to Rachel. “How d’you do, Rachel?”
“Wonderful, thank you.” Rachel is smiling. “You look great.”
“Well, so do you.”
“I was just thinking it’s such an enchanting event you all put together,” Rachel says, still smiling.
Ava preens even though she only organized a small part of the fundraising event. “Were you? We did have a great time arranging it all.” She bats her eyelashes at me then saunters away. Rachel watches her go, a strange look on her face.
I place my hand around her waist. “They should announce dinner any minute.”
“And then after the boring speeches, some dancing.” Aidan grins at Rachel. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.”
“Game on.”
Their conversation continues throughout dinner, and I try not to let it bother me. She seems determined to focus her attention on Aidan, who is blissfully unaware that she’s deliberately ignoring me.
I can’t wait for the evening to be over, to have another chance for us to talk and maybe get past whatever this is. I felt like I was losing her before. Now, it feels like I already have.
I go through the motions of conversations, giving a speech and announcing the auction for The Shelter Project, but I only have eyes for Rachel.
After the auction, when I finally escape from the multitudes of people who want to talk to me, I return to our table. Rachel isn’t there, and I see her dancing with Aidan. They’re having fun, and it makes me smile just to watch them.
“How long do you think it’ll last?”
Ava is standing beside me, a glass of champagne in her hand.
“Still keeping tabs on me?”
She shrugs and lowers herself on a chair. “Why don’t you sit for a while? She’s having fun. Let her.”
I pull out my chair and join her. “I think we’ve established by now that my relationship isn’t your concern.”