“What?”
“She dated you first, so she gets priority. In other words, I should give you up.”
David laughs. “Then I should be with Amy McGregor. She was the first girl to kiss me.”
“You must’ve been very popular in high school.”
“I was, but it was elementary school.”
I smile. That’s cute.
Before I can respond, I note Warren coming toward us from behind David, his step just a tad unsteady. His face isn’t flushed, but then, Warren’s face never changes color. Dad told me that Warren has the best political complexion he’s ever seen.
But still… I don’t like it that Warren could be drunk. I’ve already seen enough of him for the day. Actually, for an entire year.
“I can give Erin a ride.” At least Warren isn’t slurring his words. “It’ll give us a chance to catch up some more.”
Ugh. No.
“That won’t be necessary.” David’s voice is cool as he turns to face Warren. “She’s my date.”
Warren’s eyes seem slightly glassy. “I wasn’t talking to you,” he says, wagging a finger.
Then who was he talking to? Did he develop a habit of addressing the person he’s talking to in the third person in the last two years?
“Erin, what you think?” he asks.
He’s out of his mind if he thinks I’m going anywhere with him. He might be enunciating correctly, but he’s definitely intoxicated enough to do something stupid. Even if he were dead sober, I wouldn’t climb into a vehicle with him. “I’m going to leave with David. His car’s coming soon.”
I start to move toward David, but Warren grips my wrist. Shocked, I look at him. “What are you doing?”
“Let go,” David says, taking my other wrist.
Oh, shit. I tug at the wrist Warren’s holding. It doesn’t budge. What the hell?
“She doesn’t know you that well,” Warren says in a tone that reminds me a toddler crying, But Mommy, he was bad first. “She knows me the best.”
David shoots him a grim smile. I saw him flash that smile before eviscerating another executive in a meeting once.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I say, furious at Warren’s poor judgment. What if other people see us? I don’t need any embarrassing gossip. Neither does David. As for Warren, he can fend for himself and his reputation.
The valet brings the car over. I try to yank my arm out of Warren’s grip, but he’s holding on too tight.
“Let. Go.” Hostility is pouring off David.
“Do you really want to make a scene?” I say when Warren merely glares at David. “It won’t look good, especially with your father’s scandal.”
Warren’s impotently furious gaze shifts in my direction, but he still holds on.
“This is Los Angeles,” David adds, with a smile that shows more teeth than friendliness. “There’s probably some paparazzi lurking around right now.”
Oh crap. I hadn’t thought of that.
“Fuck,” Warren mutters, and finally lets go.
I step closer to David and put my free arm as far from Warren as possible. Then, realizing how ridiculous I look, I tuck my hand in close and toy with one of the ruby earrings.
David tips the valet. A doorman hovers at the passenger side—probably to prevent Warren from doing anything stupid, like rushing me and David at the last second. I climb inside the car and let out a sigh of relief when the door shuts, keeping Warren out.