“I had to try. Are you enjoying the gala?”
“I am,” I say. “I may make a few bids.”
“One of our senior partners, Jack Carter, is on the MADD board, but he had a family emergency earlier.”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes. One of his kids was in a car accident, but she’s just scraped up a little.”
“Good to know.”
“That’s why I’m here. I’ve been his associate for the past five years, and he asked me to come in his pla
ce.”
“Lucky you.”
She smiles. “I enjoy dressing up and getting wined and dined. After working seventy hours a week, it’s a nice break.”
Laurie Simms is quite beautiful. Tall, with honey-blond hair in a loose knot, blue eyes, and fair skin. Another time and place, I’d probably consider seeing her outside of business.
But I only have eyes for Skye Manning tonight.
“Did you bring anyone to the gala?” she asks.
I clear my throat. Not technically, but, “Yes, she’s in the ladies’ room. Skye Manning.”
Laurie cocks her head. “That name sounds vaguely familiar to me.”
“She works for Addison Ames.”
“Right!” Recognition dawns on Laurie’s pretty face. “Her assistant. I remember now. Addie and I have lunch from time to time.”
“Oh?” Clearly Addison never mentioned her past with me to Laurie. Good thing.
“Yeah. I interned with Brock Ames when I was in law school. I worked in the legal department for the hotel chain.”
“How did you end up with Carter and Amos?”
“Actually, I—”
I stop listening.
Skye and Tessa have reentered the ballroom and are only a few feet away from the table.
And Skye’s jaw is dropped open.
Chapter Eighteen
Tessa drops her purse on the table and heads to the dance floor while Skye brings her jaw back in place, returns to the table, and smiles. It’s a fake smile, though. She’s jealous. Jealous that I’m sitting with another woman.
Nice. I don’t mind a little jealousy. Not at all.
I stand. “Skye, meet Laurie Simms.”
Skye holds out her hand and glues on the smile once more. “Skye Manning.”
Laurie takes Skye’s hand and gives it a strong shake. “Braden was just telling me about you. You work for Addison Ames?”