Travis walks away and joins a conversation on the other side of the sitting room.
“Alexander!” Governor McBride stands to greet Zander, his hand shoved forward for Zander to shake. I can feel him tense at my side. An uncomfortable pause passes before Zander shakes his father’s hand with obvious reluctance.
“Dad,” he greets him curtly.
Governor McBride’s eyes find mine and I’m like a deer caught in the headlights. My chest seizes and nerves spin out of control.
“And you’re Mrs. Parker,” he announces, stepping closer toward me. His eyes survey my face as if he’s attempting to probe into my mind.
“Pleasure to meet you, Governor,” I say, employing my best manners as I reach out to shake his hand.
“Likewise, Mrs. Parker.”
“Please, call me Sadie,” I insist.
The governor pats Zander’s shoulder. “Your date is lovely, son.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Well, I’ll be. Don’t you just polish right up,” Virginia McBride drawls, edging up beside Zander’s dad from some other group in the room.
Zander’s jaw tenses. His hand squeezes mine. His nerves are already shot like mine are. For the first time since I met him earlier in the day, I’m happy to see Travis joining us.
“Governor, they’re ready for you,” he informs us.
I watch as Virginia hooks her arm through her husband’s. He hands the cigar and now empty tumbler to Travis.
“We’ll talk later, Miss Sadie.” He nods and heads for the exit with his Ice Queen at his side.
“Wow,” I breathe.
“Let’s get this shit over with so I can get us back to Tybee soon rather than later,” Zander whispers in my ear.
“That’s a fine idea. We don’t exactly fit in here, do we?”
“Not even close,” he mumbles. “I hate this shit. I’m a black sheep.”
“Well, you’re my black sheep,” I say, softly brushing my thumb over the little white scar on his cheekbone, doing my best to comfort my black sheep who has grown up surrounded by a pack of wolves.
Zander leans in and drops a barely there kiss on my lips. “Yes I am, Slim.”
***
The crowd of mostly Republicans claps exuberantly as Governor McBride wraps up his speech about the importance of being vigilant and determined as a party. Honestly, if you’ve endured one political speech, you’ve endured them all. I tuned out about half of the shit he was saying up on his podium at the front of the ballroom. Zander’s Ice Queen mother watched on adoringly with a practiced smile and fine-tuned mannerisms. Her legs were crossed at the ankle, her hands pleasantly folded in her lap. She switched them both once during the speech then switched them back again. She nodded just slightly at certain parts, but her robotic expression was unwavering throughout the entire twenty minute speech. Zander sat back with practiced detachment for the entire thing.
The more I see of Zander’s parents, the more grateful I am for mine. Growing up was easy for me—effortless and carefree. I’m all but positive that it wasn’t even close to the same for Zander.
The crowd begins to disperse a little as music from the band begins to play. People linger near Governor McBride to shake his hand. Virginia stays at his side like a well-trained monkey.
A voice comes over the speaker system asking that everyone find their seats so that dinner can be served. I snag another glass of champagne like a seasoned veteran and pour the crisp liquid into my mouth.
“Be careful with that stuff. It’ll sneak up on you,” an icy voice similar to Virginia’s says from behind Zander and me.
I turn to face a beautiful woman with bright blonde hair and big blue eyes. Her eyes survey me from head to toe and I do the same.
“Ally,” Zander says with ice of his own shadowing his usually warm voice.
“Allison Forsythe. You can call me Ally if you’d like, though. That’s what Zander has always called me.” She bats her false lashes at Zander and I feel jealously rise up in me.
“Sadie Parker,” I say, shaking her limp, clammy hand.
Zander pulls me closer to him and it’s a nice reminder for her and me that I’m his date. Not her. His physical encouragement calms my nerves enough for me to down the rest of my champagne and hand it off to another passing waiter.
“You can call me Sadie Parker,” I add my smartass remark on autopilot.
“Hmm.” She gives me a tight smile that isn’t very attractive at all and tilts her head to the side. I see her catty motives in her baby blue eyes.
What a bitch.
“Well, I’ve got to run along,” she drawls. “See you again soon, Sadie Parker.” She flicks her wrist, waving goodbye.
I turn to Zander and smile, feeling a little buzzed thanks to two glasses of high dollar champagne. “Did I mention that I hated high school?”
Zander laughs under his breath and shakes his head at me. “You must have been an art nerd, so I bet you didn’t.”