The after-party was at Chateau Blanco, and the vibe in the place was positively electric. For all the formality and nervousness before and during the show, it was replaced with relief and laid-back after. The men all loosened their ties and some even ditched their jackets. The women had changed into comfortable shoes, and I wished I’d known that that was a thing so I could have been more prepared. But seeing as it was Trip’s first time at one of those things, he didn’t know to give me the heads up.
We said hellos to a million people and were introduced to a million more before we found a booth along the wall that we could claim as our home base. Not that we sat for very long. There were elbows to rub, introductions to be made, asses to kiss. I’m not going to name-drop here, but let’s just say I was blown away to be in the same room with most of those people. Faces you’d know; names you’d recognize. From rising stars and veteran actors to acclaimed directors and legendary producers. At one point, Trip pointed out Harvey Weinstein, and I thought I was going to bust a rib cracking up.
“You think he’s forgiven you for dumping that pasta in his lap ten years ago?”
Trip raised an eyebrow as he shot back, “I know he hasn’t.”
We laughed at that as Trip excused himself to hit the bathroom. I kind of had to go, too, but there was no way I’d be able to get out of my dress on my own. Thank God I knew I’d have some help with that later, wink wink.
I saw that he’d gotten tied up talking to some people, so I went to the bar to grab him a club soda and lime. I couldn’t find him after that, so I just decided to wait in the alcove near the restrooms.
“Well, hello, there!”
I turned and registered the lecherous man who had just greeted me. The look on his face and the way he was licking his lips made me feel like a triple-decker hot-fudge sundae. And not in a good way. I gave him a polite smile and said, “Hello.”
“I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”
He extended his hand, so I took it, but before I got the chance to introduce myself, he added, “But I sure as hell look forward to it.”
Ewww.
Again, I merely gave him the briefest of smiles, my expression and my body language clearly screaming not on your life, pal.
Only, he wouldn’t release his death grip on my hand until I pulled it out of his grasp. It was all I could do not to dig out my bottle of Purell right there on the spot.
He gave a quick scan to our surrounding area before leaning in, still licking his lips like a lizard, so close I could smell the cognac on his breath as he sneered, “I’d almost say it would be worth a million dollars to find out.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively, waiting for me to take the bait.
Now. I should mention that while this guy totally skeeved me out, I didn’t know who he was. As obnoxious as his indecent proposal was—and dude. Seriously? We’ve all seen that movie—I didn’t want to create any problems for Trip if this were some major player. I also didn’t want to create a scene in the middle of the party. But even still, I didn’t realize my free hand had been clenching into a fist at my side until Trip appeared.
Good thing he did. Apparently, I was gearing up to go full-on knuckle sandwich on this guy’s ass.
“Robert. Good evening.” Trip slipped his arm around my middle, never breaking eye contact with Robert the Lizard as I handed him his drink. It was enough to get the disgusting man to take a step back and resume life outside of my personal space.
Robert tried out a jovial tone. Aren’t we all just a bunch of silly friends, here. “Mr. Wiley! I was just getting acquainted with your…”
“My girlfriend, Bert. My very serious, very last girlfriend. Get the picture?”
Every second I had to spend in that lecher’s presence was worth it to hear those words come out of Trip’s mouth.
“And she’s not interested, so take a hike.” Trip took a swig of his drink, staring off beyond Robert, already bored.
“Now, Trip. You don’t think I’d have tried anything if I knew she was with you! I just saw this lovely creature standing here all by her lonesome and thought she might like some company. Isn’t that right…”
I guessed that was the part where I was supposed to offer my name. But where did that smelly ballsack get off trying to get me to vouch for him? Who the hell did he think he was?