When he took his seat, L.L.’s apprehension returned, because she knew June would engage her and Tague in conversation. And the matriarch would no doubt be on the lookout for any sort of underhanded comment she could make about L.L., who slid her gaze to Helena, across the table. Her friend appeared equally concerned, likely given their near-miss earlier when they’d been discussing the naughty fetish she shared with Chip.
Without fail, June asked over the starter of duck confit, “How did you and Tague meet, Miss Branson?
“Loralai is fine,” she politely said. “And Tague and I met through Chip.”
June’s attention turned to the man next to her. “I was just with your parents at the country club last night, Chip. Your mother has apparently found the perfect venue for her annual New Year’s Eve party, and we’ll all be ringing in the New Year in Vienna this time.”
“It’s a mansion about to go on the market for thirty-million euros,” Chip confirmed. “The owner’s a family friend, and he volunteered the place for the big hurrah, in hopes of immediately snagging a buyer.”
“Well, we’re all looking forward to it. Your mother is a fabulous hostess.” Shifting her gaze to her son, she asked, “You will be in attendance, won’t you?”
“I never miss the McAllisters’ parties.”
“Wonderful. Your absence would certainly be noted.” She smiled tightly, then her cornflower eyes drifted to L.L. “What is it that you do for a living, dear?”
“I’m a graphic desi—”
“She designs adult toys,” Tague interjected.
L.L. gaped. Wrung her linen napkin in her lap as a jarring dose of holy shit, did he really just say that? shot through her.
June’s hand froze mid-way to her mouth and the duck fell from her fork.
Despite her consternation, L.L. had to bite back a grin at the graceless mishap.
It took Tague’s mother a few moments to compose herself. She swallowed hard. Lowered her fork. Speared L.L. with the sort of look that made her want to crawl under the table. But L.L. kept her chin lifted.
“I don’t understand,” June said in an agitated voice.
“Sex toys, Mother,” Tague clarified.
“Is that just the most incredible job ever?” gushed Sofia Halston, one of the female associates sitting close by. “When I first met L.L., I thought she was just teasing Chip about the whole concept, but then I saw some of her designs—and all of her clients are famous! What an amazingly clever entrepreneur.” Sofia’s dark brown eyes warmed.
L.L. knew the young attorney had a slight infatuation with her, had admitted it on a casual lunch outing. She’d also hired L.L. to fabricate a three-way stimulating vibrator for her.
June was visibly confused. Indisputably distressed. “I—I just—I don’t… I don’t understand,” she stammered. Her bewildered gaze landed on her husband.
Harper scowled at his son. “This is hardly appropriate dinner conversation.”
Sofia couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. “But L.L.’s clients are international superstars. Royals, even. Though she won’t tell me which ones are her customers. I’m dying to know if the Queen of England has her own toy. Or Charles and Camilla. Don’t they seem like a frigid couple on the outside, who secretly get their kink-on in the bedroom?”
“Sofia!” June hissed out, aghast. While the others chuckled. Save for Harper Mason, of course.
The female attorney didn’t look the least bit fazed, or contrite. She simply added, “Honestly, it’s not every day you meet someone with such a creative and fun career—am I right?”
“Thank you,” L.L. told her.
“Well.” June shook her head as though to clear it of unpleasant thoughts. And she quite obviously found L.L. unsavory. Next, she singled out Helena. “Do you work as well?” she asked in a tentative voice, apparently uncertain she wanted to know the answer after posing the question to L.L.
Helena gave a pretty smile and said, “I owe several spas. Two in the city, one on Long Island and two upstate.”
This piqued June’s interest. She sipped her cocktail, likely to rid herself of the bad taste in her mouth left by the previous conversation. She dismissed L.L. entirely. Was much more congenial with Helena as they discussed all things spa-related, but that was likely because Helena wasn’t dating her son.
Tague placed a hand on L.L.’s thigh and leaned toward her, whispering, “It’ll all be fine. Don’t worry about any of this.”
She strove for nonchalance, but fell a bit short. Fortunately, as Harper engaged Tague in shop talk, Sofia chatted up L.L. during dinner.
It was the world’s longest five-course meal, yet a tad less painful since June continued to outright ignore L.L. Tague’s mother probably considered her a novelty and had already convinced herself that Tague would see the error of his ways and not bring L.L. around again. Certainly not to the McAllisters’ New Year’s Eve party in Vienna.