Ian leaned in to Bree’s ear. “I’m sure Luke has it under control. He takes care of every detail. Look,” he said pointing at a few women just outside the glass. “Those ladies don’t look cold.”
A set of French doors opened up to a pool complex. A large semicircular pool sprawled out in front of them, crowds of people milling around it and standing on Plexiglas platforms hovering over it. Scattered around the area were tall gas space heaters. As they stepped outside it almost felt warmer than it did inside the house.
“This is beautiful,” Bree said, her gaze moving over the twinkling lights in the trees, the tables draped with rich fabrics and the floral arrangements that seemed to reach for the sky. “Don’t be offended, but I’d much rather be here as a photographer than a guest. I really want to take some pictures of this setup. And the flowers. Gretchen would just love it. It makes me wonder what florist they’re working with. But...I won’t,” she added with a shy smile. “I’ll be cool. I don’t want to embarrass you.”
That made Ian chuckle. His Bree was many things, but cool wasn’t how he’d describe her. She was much more comfortable behind the lens than strutting around in front of it, but he wanted to change that. A quick glance around was enough to prove that she was easily the most beautiful woman at the party. She should be as comfortable in front of the lens as behind it. “You didn’t smuggle that big camera of yours in that tiny purse, did you?”
She smiled. “I wish I had, but I’m no Mary Poppins.”
“Too bad. Without it, you’ll just have to play my hot date tonight.” He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close enough to kiss. Instead, he leaned in and whispered into her ear. “And if I find you in a corner talking to a photographer, I’ll find a...creative...way to punish you later.”
“Yes, sir,” Bree said with a smile that indicated she wouldn’t mind.
They stepped into the crowd, melting into the throng of well-dressed and powerful people. When he first got into the business, he’d been starstruck. Now it was just another day at work. On the far left, he spotted the nearest bar. “Would you like me to get you a drink?”
“Sure. Bring me a white wine. Chardonnay if they have it.”
“You got it.” Ian leaned in to press a quick kiss to her cheek and pulled away. There were several people in front of him in line, including Luke, the man throwing the party.
“If you’re picking up the bar tab, shouldn’t you be able to skip the line?”
Luke turned, a smile crossing his face when he saw Ian. They shook hands. “You’d think so. But I’m okay with waiting. It let me run into you, for one thing.” The smile faded for a moment. “How are you, Ian?”
Ugh. That. Ian had tried to avoid the topic of the Missy debacle, but it was inevitable that it would pop up at an event like this. The music industry in Nashville was a small world. Everyone knew everyone’s business. “I’m fine, really. The whole thing seems sort of surreal at this point.”
“I knew Missy was a handful, but I never expected she could do something like that.” Luke shook his head. “You know, she’s been sniffing around my label this week. Her manager called the other day wanting to talk about Missy branching out into country music. I laughed at him.”
Ian winced. “I’m sure you’re not the only place she’s called. I keep waiting to bump into her here. It’s the perfect hunting grounds for an artist in need of a contract.”
“Oh, she’s here somewhere.” Luke stepped up to get his drinks, then waited as the bartender poured two for Ian. “I saw you come in with a pretty lady. You’d better hope Missy didn’t see you.”
Ian shrugged. “I don’t care what Missy thinks. After the week I’ve had, I deserve to have a beautiful lady on my arm who isn’t crazy.”
“Right you are.” Luke laughed. “But watch out for Missy. She will make it out of this scandal one way or another. Hopefully it won’t be by climbing over you to get there.”
“I will.” Ian was glad he wasn’t the only one who could see Missy for who she really was.
“Listen, call me next week and we can chat. I’ve got to get this drink back to Mrs. Chisholm.”
Ian nodded, wavin
g at Luke before picking up his drinks and turning in the direction he’d come. His eyes found Bree in the crowd, then he froze. A feeling of dread washed over him. Luke was right. Missy was not only here, but she had Bree cornered.
The two women were talking, but he could tell it wasn’t idle chatter. Missy looked like she was on the verge of losing it. Taking her rage out on Ian’s date wouldn’t be out of character for her. They were far too close to the edge of the pool for any sort of squabbling. One or both would end up in the frigid, illuminated water.
As fast as his feet could move him through the crowd, he arrived at Bree’s side. “Missy!” he said, interrupting whatever conversation they were having. Ian handed Bree her glass of wine and then wrapped his arm around her waist. He took two giant steps backward, putting some breathing room between them and Missy and moving that much farther away from the water’s edge just in case. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”
Missy crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up to the point of indecency. She was wearing red, too, although her dress was lacking the elegance of Bree’s. It was satin, tight and short, with a plunging neckline. “You didn’t think I was just going to tuck my tail in and run, did you?”
He wasn’t that lucky. “Of course not. Why should you be ashamed of lying and manipulating everyone in your life, especially me? Now, if you’ll excuse us...” Ian tried shifting them away from Missy.
“You can walk away from me, but this isn’t over, Ian,” Missy said ominously.
He sighed, turning back to face her. “Yes, it is. And there’s nothing you can do about it, at least not here if you want a new record deal from anyone at the party. Goodbye, Missy.”
Before she could say anything else, he propelled Bree in the opposite direction, following closely on her heels. They were on the other side of the party before they stopped.
“Thank you for rescuing me,” Bree leaned in and whispered against his neck. “I thought she was going to throw me in the pool. This dress cost me way too much to get ruined the first time I wore it.”