“Do you want to wear my shoes?” Felicity offered, noticing too late how tiny Savannah’s feet were compared to Felicity’s own size nines.
“Thanks for offering, but I don’t think that will work,” she said as the band played another riff of the song that preceded the first dance. Lisa had scurried over to let the bandleader know what was holding up the show and now, the singer was trying to stretch out the song until they were ready.
“Will you dance with Austin, Felicity?” Savannah suggested.
Felicity glanced around the room looking for Belle or Georgia or even Sarah, but they all seemed to be well hidden. She really didn’t have a choice.
There was something in Savannah’s smile that hinted that her shoe malfunction might not have been an accident. And then it hit Felicity—she would get to dance with Austin.
“Are you okay with this?” she asked him.
“Sure,” he returned, his expression unreadable.
Savannah signaled to Lisa and pointed to Felicity. Lisa seemed to get the message because she told the bandleader and he announced, “Mr. Austin Fortune, dancing with Miss Felicity Schafer.”
When Austin took her into his arms, she felt like she’d finally found her home. They swayed together, his hand on the small of her back, their bodies moving in time to the music. For a few short minutes the rest of the world melted away and it was just her in the arms of the man she loved.
All too soon, the music changed from the slow, romantic song to something more upbeat. The singer was inviting the rest of the guests to join them on the dance floor, and Felicity felt a hand on her shoulder.
She looked up to see Kevin ask Austin, “May I cut in, please?”
“Sure,” Austin said. “You kids have fun.”
No! Don’t go.
But he did. He walked off as Kevin tried to pull her into slow dance form despite the up-tempo song. Felicity resisted by taking her hand and spinning herself out in a modified swing dancing move. At the end of the song, which seemed to go on forever, she told him she was thirsty and needed something to drink. Like a good date, Kevin was off to the bar to get her something.
By the time he returned, about ten minutes later, it was time for Felicity to help facilitate the silent auction results. She thanked him for the drink and explained what she needed to do. But before she could get away, he asked, “How long do you think you’ll be? My friends left after dinner. They had another party.”
Felicity felt a little sorry for him for spending all that money only to share his table with people who would ditch him? And she knew she was being a lousy date, but she had warned him that she had to work the event.
“Why don’t you ask someone to dance?” Felicity suggested. “I’m sure there are plenty of women who would love to.” Even though most of the women were there with dates. Still, she had no choice but to excuse herself and get to work, leaving Kevin with a glass of scotch and a long face.
* * *
As Austin passed by Kevin Clooney’s table, Kevin stood and blocked his way.
“If I didn’t know better,” Kevin slurred, “I’d think you were purposely trying to keep Felicity and me apart tonight. What the hell, Fortune? What’s your problem?”
Clooney had a glass of what looked like scotch, straight up, in his hand. Judging by the way he was slurring his words, it wasn’t his first drink of the evening. Probably not his third either. He had pulled his tie loose and unbuttoned the first button at the collar. Austin glanced around for one of the security personnel they’d hired, but they were surveilling the entrances and exits.
“I don’t have a problem, Clooney,” Austin said. “But I think you’ve had a little too much to drink. You either need to settle down or I’ll call you a car and get someone to help you down to the lobby.”
“I don’t need your help, Fortune.” As a waiter walked by, Clooney held up his half-full glass and motioned for a refill. In the process, some of the amber liquid sloshed over the side. As Clooney transferred his glass to his other hand and clumsily wiped the liquor on the leg of his tuxedo pants, Austin caught the waiter’s eye and gave a subtle shake of the head. He mouthed the word water. The waiter nodded and mouthed back, Security? Austin gave a subtle nod.