“Have fun,” I called out as she walked away.
I stood off to the side of the room and watched as Sophie and Trey spun further around the room. Then they would stop and bow to each other. Sophie was eating it up. At one point, Trey waved for me to join them, and when I shook my head no, he pretended to be wounded.
Why am I being so stupid?
He’s funny, really funny, but in a way that wasn’t flashy. He didn’t need to be the center of attention even though he often was. He seemed happy standing back or being in the center, and I really liked this about him.
He has an almost magical way with people. So why is he single?
Now they spun around the dance floor with Sophie standing on Trey’s feet. It was so wonderful to see her smile. She’d been through so much in the last six months.
“Hey, Chloe, you should be proud of yourself,” Mia said, crossing over to where I stood. “Sophie is alive because you gave her everything she needed.”
Mia pushed her glass toward me so I lifted my glass, clinked it against hers, then took a long sip. “No, Mia, she’s alive because of your selfless gift and, for that, I will always be in your debt.”
“You owe me nothing. I found the love of my life because of you,” Mia said. “What are you drinking. It looks good.”
“I believe it’s champagne. Murphy got it from the waiters walking around. You can try mine.”
Mia took a sip of my bubbly drink then waved over one of the waiters, but this time it was a different fruity-looking drink. I finished the drink I’d been holding, placed the empty glass on the tray, and took one of the new drinks Mia offered. It was pink champagne that was sweet with a tart after taste.
“I like this one better than the one you were drinking.” Mia held her glass up to look at the color. “Remember we use to call pink drinks princess water?”
“Ha, I forgot about that. Mom used to say it, right?” I asked, looking directly at Mia. “Then you said it after she passed away.”
“No sad talk tonight. I want you to have fun instead of standing here talking to me.” Mia finished her drink and pointed to me to finish. “What do you say to that?”
Maybe it was the three drinks or the ambiance, but I was feeling brave all of a sudden.
“Mia, I love your company, but this music is intoxicating, my dress is beautiful, I feel pretty, and I feel like dancing, so can you watch Sophie for just a little while for me?”
“Of course. Now get over there and cut in on your daughter,” Mia said, then we laughed at the ridiculous reality of that statement.
Chapter 25
Trey
Sophie and I walked away from Chloe hand-in-hand with her pulling me and giggling. I’d wanted to dance with Chloe, but I was a sucker for kids and I needed something that would keep my ex away from me. I had Sophie put her feet on my shoes so I could spin her around the room. I could feel Natalie’s stare from across the room. One look in her direction had cameras clicking. I didn’t want Sophie involved in the nasty side of being a Hawthorne, so I spun us into a group of dancers.
How did I get myself into this? I gotta stay away from Natalie or I’ll be in the tabloids tomorrow.
“Mr. Trey, can we dance faster?” Sophie looked up at me with her sweet smile.
“Really fast or just a little bit fast?” I asked, looking around to see if the cameras were gone.
“Not really, really fast cuz I’ll spit up my biscuits.” Sophie put her hands up for me to lift her up. “Can you hold me for dancing fast?”
“I don’t want you to get sick.” I lifted her to my hip. “Let’s dance over to your mommy.”
“Okay, then you dance with Mummy, she looks sad.” Sophie held on tight as I spun us around a bit faster in the opposite direction of Natalie. “This is fun.”
We stopped spinning a few feet from Chloe. I placed Sophie on her feet then bowed. She clearly watched princess movies because she gave me an exaggerated curtsy.
“Thank you for dancing with me,” I said. “Should I dance with your mom now?”
“Mummy, dance with Mr. Trey. If you stand on his feet, he’ll spin you around real fast.” Sophie pushed Chloe in my direction. “I’m gonna sit here and watch you spin.”
Chloe looked over toward Mia and waved her over.