"It's good to see the both of you." Doctor Johnson smiled warmly. "This is my daughter, Becca."
"It's nice to meet you," I shook her hand. "Do I know you from somewhere? You look really familiar." I felt Aidan stiffen and then Becca's face turned white. I was highly confused.
"No, I don't think that we've met." She smiled warmly.
"Oh, okay." We moved on to another group.
This time we came upon a group with members of the board.
"Lilli, this is Gideon. Gideon, this is—."
"The new Mrs. Iverson," he bent and kissed my knuckles. "This is my daughter, Loreley," he motioned to the very tiny, light brown haired girl next to him.
"Hello, nice to meet you." I tried to be genuine. I saw that Gideon and Aidan had gotten into a private conversation.
"So, I see you just met the Johnson's?" I nodded. "They are a close family friend to the Iverson's. Hell, Aidan Sr. practically put the doctor through college. His daughter, Becca, as well."
I nodded and tried to keep a normal conversation.
"What is it that Becca does?"
Loreley smirked.
"Oh, she is a pharmacist." She chuckled. "You could say that they have their own doctor and pharmacist on hand. And, of course they would do anything the Iverson's ask of them."
Before I could ask anything else, Aidan excused us and we moved on to the next group of people. We were just about finished with the mingling when a familiar face appeared in front of me.
"Lilli," he smiled smoothly and took my hand, raising my knuckles to his lips.
"Demitri?" I said in a very hushed tone, smiling politely. I heard Aidan growl next to me.
His lips had barely brushed my knuckles when Aidan's hand appeared on my wrist pulling my hand back to him and away from Demitri.
"This is my husband, Aidan," I introduced them.
Demitri stuck out his hand.
"It's good to meet the man who was able to convince Lilli to marry him."
Aidan grabbed his hand, it was obvious that they were playing a testosterone driven battle of grips.
"Okay, boys, can we stop with the ridiculousness?" I rolled my eyes and pulled their hands apart.
Aidan pulled me tighter to his side and I wanted to smack him in the back of the head for being so possessive.
"So, Aidan, this is your foundation?" Demitri took a sip of the drink he was holding. I knew that it was a vodka tonic from experience.
"Technically, it’s Lilli's," he said with a smile and a closer tug to his side.
Demitri looked at me with surprise.
"You planned this event?"
"I helped his aunt organize the event. She is truly the brains behind the operation," I laughed out.
"Nonsense, Lilli," I turned to see Viola. "Don't let her fool you, she is brilliant and as much a part of this as me, if not more." She smiled at me warmly.
"I wouldn't doubt Lilli's brilliance for anything," Demitri said with a sly smirk. I swallowed hard. Was he trying to create a more uncomfortable situation?
Thankfully an announcement was made for everyone to take their seats. I sighed in relief and excused us as Aidan led us to our table.
"What is he doing here?" Aidan hissed into my ear as he pulled my chair out for me.
"Apparently he's here for the foundation, Aidan." I hissed back.
"So, you didn't personally invite him?" I turned to look at him astounded.
"Just stop."
He looked angry.
"So you did?"
"Damn it, Aidan, do not do this here. I sighed. "If you must know, no, I did not. But so what if I had? Do you think that I would just push him onto a table and fuck him here in front of everyone? Is that what you think of me?" I was beyond irate, my tone was starting to rise so I excused myself.
"Where are you—?"
"Away from you," I hissed. "I'll be back," I growled out and headed towards the ladies room.
Leaning on the sink top in the ladies room, the door opened behind me.
"Are you okay?" Celia entered with Phoebe behind her.
I nodded.
"You didn't look okay when you left the room." Phoebe slipped her mask off and so did Celia.
"Demitri is here and Aidan isn't thrilled about it." I rolled my eyes. "He's being ridiculous." I growled.
"Tell us what happened." Celia sat down in one of the plush chairs and Phoebe put her arm around my shoulders. I told them the whole occurrence.
"What a dick!" Celia said bluntly and I laughed.
"So, I'm not overreacting?" I asked unsure of myself.
"Hell no," Phoebe concluded. "He is being jealous, and not a good jealous." She squeezed me tightly.
I took a deep breath.
"Thank you, I feel better." They both smiled at me widely and we group hugged. "We should probably get back before Dixon eats your entire meal," I half giggled toward Celia.
Phoebe and Celia laughed as we exited. Aidan was standing against the wall, waiting. Phoebe and Celia both squeezed my arm once more before walking away toward the ballroom.
I stood with my arms crossed over my chest.