“You’re my best boy,” she said. “My favorite man.”
As she followed the turn in the stairs, Valentine started barking happily and she saw Daniel leaning against the wall next to her door.
For a moment she thought she must be hallucinating, but Valentine’s reaction suggested that what she was seeing was real.
She’d been so sure she would never see him again. She felt a rush of happiness and her heart kicked against her ribs, and then she remembered that he was angry and that he was probably only here because he wanted to finish the conversation she’d walked away from.
His bow tie dangled around his neck and his eyes glittered. In his hand was his phone. “Well,” he said. “You’re a woman with one hell of a reputation.”
Fifteen
Daniel watched as Molly walked toward him. Her feet were bare, her hair hung loose over her shoulders, and her shoes swung from her fingers. The slinky blue dress exposed just enough skin to make a man forget what he was thinking.
As she drew closer he saw that her eyes were bright and that she wasn’t entirely steady on her feet.
He eased away from the wall. “Where have you been? I was worried.”
“Why would you be worried? I’m not your responsibility.” Her words were slightly slurred, her eyes challenging.
“How much have you drunk?”
“Nowhere near enough, but I’m working on it so don’t even think about spoiling it for me.”
“You’re drunk because I upset you?”
“No, I’m drunk because I left the party before the food was served and because I’ve just drunk half a bottle of champagne. I really, really like champagne.”
“We need to talk.”
“Not a good time.” She waggled her finger at him. “If I can’t walk in a straight line, I can’t have a serious conversation. I’ll mean things I don’t say. No—” She frowned. “That’s not right. I’ll say things I don’t mean. Yes, that’s it.”
“I want to have the conversation now.”
“You’re here to take advantage when I’m weak and vulnerable?”
“I’m here because I owe you an apology.” He slid his phone into his pocket, thinking that he’d never found a situation so uncomfortable. “I acted like a jerk, and when I act like a jerk I make a point of apologizing fast.”
“Jerk. That’s not a very lawyerly word. The defendant is a jerk, Your Honor.”
“Plaintiff.”
“Sorry?”
“Never mind. I’m not here as a lawyer.”
She delved into her purse for her key, removing lipstick and tissues. “You were angry.”
“I’m not angry now.” His anger had lasted as long as it had taken him to type her name into the internet. What he’d found had shocked and sickened him. And it had explained a lot about her. About the reasons she held herself at a distance and her reluctance to embark on relationships. The difficulty she had trusting people. “Where were you? Who did you drink champagne with?”
“Mark. He was taking care of Valentine for me.” She glanced up from her purse and focused her gaze on him. “Why are you here? Did you already tell me that?”
“No. Do you want me to help you find your keys?”
“I can find my own keys, thank you. See?” She pulled them out of her purse and jangled them in front of him. “Keys. How long have you been here?”
“An hour? I tried to follow you but I kept getting waylaid by people wanting free advice on divorce.”
“Be grateful you’re not a doctor. People might have removed their clothes and shown you their rashes.” She fumbled with the keys and dropped them.