“Sweetheart, you should have told me and I would have gotten you something,” John stated as he kissed the top of her head and caught me watching.
“This is my fiancée, Rachel,” he said to me with a smile then pointed to the rest of the group. “And this is Calvin and Tim Stanley. And Calvin’s assistant, Stacey.”
I looked toward them with a nod, trying not to be rude as I didn’t even look them in the eye. I was uncomfortable in the situation and Calvin had to make it worse.
“It’s good to see you again, Emma,” Calvin stated.
“You, too, Mr. Stanley.”
I knew I needed to be professional, but I hated the devious look he was giving me. I had the urge to punch him in the face. He probably knew about his son’s infidelities the entire time.
“You two already know each other?” Mr. Cline asked.
I glanced at Melanie and she looked at me with a sympathetic smile. I knew it was out of her control, but I really wanted to get the hell out of there.
“We attended school together,” Tim explained.
I all but sneered at him as he smiled at Mr. Cline. I wanted to slap the smile off his face. I guess that was all we really were, though, just old classmates.
“Well, come on now,” Mr. Stanley started. I gave him a pleading look because I knew what he was about to say, but it was completely ignored. “She was more than just your classmate, now wasn’t she?” He nudged Tim in the arm as if it was some kind of joke and I looked at him with disdain. I wasn’t happy about him bringing up our personal situation, and from the look on Tim’s face he wasn’t either. What did he have to be angry about? His expression only fueled my need to speak.
“Yeah, Tim. Three years together constitutes being more than just classmates, right? But then again, Stacey was just supposed to be your dad’s assistant, too.” I smiled brightly at him as he stared at me blankly. I could feel the slut-bitch’s eyes glaring at me, but I didn’t care.
So much for acting professional.
“Don’t you have some clients you need to smooze, John?” Mason chimed in, standing beside me.
John looked at me, then to Mason. “Of course,” he said then turned to Calvin and Tim. “If you’ll excuse us, Rachel and I have some mingling to do. We can talk later.”
Melanie turned to me and I felt nothing but relief as she pulled me aside.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I had no idea who he wanted me to meet. If I would have known, Em…” she apologized, shaking her head.
I knew she would never have invited me if she’d been aware, but all I wanted to do was go home.
“I’ll probably just catch a taxi and leave, Mel. I don’t even want to be here anymore,” I said as I felt a hand at the center of my back. I turned to see Mason standing right next to me.
“Nonsense. At least let me walk you around to see all the art on display,” he suggested.
I looked at him bewildered and wondered exactly what his motive was for suggesting we spend any time together in public. I didn’t know what to expect from him at any time. I just needed to stop being surprised.
“That would be great, Mr. Cline,” Melanie smiled.
“Please, call me Mason.” He smiled.
She returned it. “I’m going to go catch up with Mr. Cline, but make sure you find me in a little bit, okay?” she said to me.
“Of course.” I nodded. “Go on, I’ll be fine.”
I watched her walk away and glanced around the room. The place had filled up over the last few minutes and I noticed some faces I’d seen on TV before. I’d obviously been more occupied than usual to not notice there were celebrities walking around a room I was standing in.
“So, Tim was the ex you spoke of?” Mason asked, looking in my line of sight.
I turned and studied his expression before placing my drink on the bar.
“Does it matter?”
He stared into my eyes for a moment before replying. "He was stupid for letting you go.”
“Is that so?” I replied, getting annoyed. “What exactly are you after, Mason? Will there ever be a time I’m not confused by you?”
He laughed, causing the lines around his eyes to become pronounced. He looked so young and carefree when he laughed and I knew he didn’t do it nearly as much as he should.
Resting a hand on the center of my back, he guided me toward the back of the gallery area where beautiful paintings were on display and there were less people.
“I told you I was bad for you, Emma. I won’t lie and say I’m an easy man to understand and I know I haven’t been forthcoming with my actions, but I do want you.”
I looked over the painting we were standing in front of, letting his words sink in.
Forthcoming? He’s nothing but forthcoming.