Her words seem genuine, yet she sounds so fake. I can’t help but feel sorry for her needing to try so hard. Then she plasters herself to him as her voices hitches on her next statement. “I know she would.”
I watch as Andy’s hand slowly comes up to pat her back. I’m hoping his hard on is gone or she’ll take it as a good sign. It takes several seconds before he’s able to disentangle himself from the woman.
“Désirée, I like you to meet Cate McKnight, my date for the evening.”
She doesn’t bother to hide her surprise. “Oh, Cate McKnight,” she repeats as if she might know me. Woman to woman, I know her thoughts. She pulls it together. “I thought you were coming alone.”
His smile is broad and I watch her disappointment grow. Andy steps back so he can slide his hand around my waist. “I was able to convince Cate last minute to join me.”
There is calculation in her eyes, so I’m ready for what’s she about to say.
“Are you related—?”
I cut her off before she gets any further. “No, we’re not related.”
She knows damn well we’re not. Disdainfully, she glances over my dress. No doubt she’s determined it’s not straight off the runway. Then, her eyes land on my naked ring finger. Satisfied, she smirks. The fact that she now believes I don’t have a permanent claim to Andy as mine pleases her.
“That’s too bad. I was hoping some of his family would come to celebrate in his honor,” she says haughtily, dismissing me. She turns her attention back to Andy. I begin to think only a ring on my finger would get her to back off. She smiles stunningly at him and for a second I think she’s probably a better match for him. They come from similar backgrounds, I suppose. “Well, I can’t wait for your speech.”
Speech? I give Andy a look but try not to appear too surprised. I don’t want Miss Stick Up Her Butt to have any more reasons to think less of me.
She gives him another smile and saunters off with a sashay in her step that begs men to watch. Andy gets points for not noticing. Yet, he doesn’t explain the speech thing. He has us circle the table to find our name cards. When we do, I know my name is on the list; I want to rush over and tell her. But I don’t.
“Speech, huh?” I ask after he pulls out my chair and helps me sit.
“Yes. Sorry about that. It’s not that big of a deal.”
But Andy is a bigger deal than he lets on. People keep stopping by and talking to him. I feel foolish as I’m introduced over and over and then ignored because of who Andy is. Andy is a good guy and tries to include me, but I sit and fiddle with the place card or my phone to pass the time.
“Don’t look so glum, dear. These things are all a game.”
I glance over to an older woman who could be my grandmother, although she’s more regal than mine. The diamonds in her ears and on her fingers prove that.
“Ignore that Désirée. She’s a bore and no competition to you, my lovely girl. That man can’t keep his eyes off you.” Her eyes shift to my left as she speaks. “Well, I think there is someone else who also has his eye on you.”
I glance up and see Ted Caine. For a man at least ten years my senior if not more, he’s sexy in a James Bond sort of way.
“Drew, nice to see you.”
Andy turns to me and begins to introduce me yet again, but Ted leans down to pick up my hand and place a kiss on my knuckles.
“Nice to see you again, Cate.”
Andy glances at me. I plunge forward in my greeting to hopefully explain without explaining.
“You too, Mr. Caine. I received an e-mail from your office and look forward to working on the project.”
His eyes twinkle and dance over me. “Let’s not talk shop here. Work can wait until Monday.”
I smile then and turn away, hoping to avoid any more conversation. Ted is attractive but he’s practically my boss. Plus, Andy is the one that pushes every one of my buttons.
“I see you’ve met my date, Cate. However, I think they are about to begin,” Andy says, politely dismissing the other man. I glance up to see Andy’s jaw tense as if he’s speaking through gritted teeth.
Ted nods and sits at a nearby table when, of course, Désirée appears at the front.