Claire put on a red silk dress after spending hours trying to figure out what she wanted to wear. When she reached the landing above the ground floor, she almost wanted to turn around at the sheer number of people invited. Guests poured through the doors after dark, and Claire couldn’t avoid them even if she wanted to. Besides, Bryan had been so generous to her thus far, and she wanted to celebrate with him.
She scanned the room and came across Chance, who had just walked in with a woman on his arm. Claire noticed that even though the woman hung onto Chance, he was trying to find a way to get her off him. He was rather unsuccessful as the girl latched onto him. Claire watched them for some time before deciding there was no need punishing herself by watching Chance and his numerous women. She decided to mingle with some of the guests and introduce herself. She entertained conversations with strangers, but it was soon clear to her this was not her scene. She grew bored quickly and was relieved when Bryan rescued her from another band of middle aged women who batted their eyes at him.
“Happy birthday, Bryan,” Claire smiled as she greeted him with a kiss.
“Thank you, Claire.” He embraced her briefly. “I’m happy your mom and you are here.”
“So is your party always this big?”
“Oh no. Last year it was smaller because it was on my yacht, and the year before that…hell, I don’t even remember,” he laughed.
“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t get you anything, but what can you give the man who has everything?” she asked.
“That was my dilemma,” Willow said as she came upon them. “I almost got him a sweater.”
Claire laughed at her mother’s words, and the three chatted for a while before Bryan had to excuse himself and Willow’s book club partners turned up. Claire was left with nothing to do and no one to talk to, so she grabbed another champagne from a passing attendant and went out on the back patio. She leaned against the wall and watched the clear sky above, and as her mind started relaxing thanks to the twinkling balls of stars, she heard someone come up behind her. Claire turned and saw the woman who had come in with Chance.
“Claire, right?” she asked with a smile. Her smile was anything but pleasant; her lips curled as if to mock Claire. Her eyes searched her, assessing whether or not she belonged. She was an attractive woman, but not overly so, and as for first impressions, she looked great.
“Who’s asking?” Claire asked aggressively, her glass before her.
“Penelope,” the woman smirked and held out her hand. Claire didn’t budge. “Okay, then.” She rested against the wall next to Claire.
“How can I help you, Penelope?”
“I saw the way you were looking at him.”
“Looking at whom?” Claire asked innocently.
“Chance. I saw the way you were looking at him, and I could feel how uneasy it made him with you watching. I’m not sure if you are aware, but he’s your brother.”
“Hmm, and you came all the way over here to tell me something I already know?” Claire asked.
“I just thought I’d remind you of the inappropriate way you were looking at him. Chance isn’t that kind of person, and you aren’t even his type,” she told Claire flatly.
“And you are?” Claire asked, eyebrow arched sarcastically.
“Damn right,” she said. “You do know you look so out of place here.”
“Well, I better go somewhere else then, before I rub off on your rudeness,” Claire said and emptied the remaining champagne in her glass.
Penelope grabbed her shoulder as she passed. “Hey, I’m not done talking to you.”
Claire shrugged her off and brought her elbow back, catching Penelope’s shoulder. Penelope mumbled bitch under her breath and shoved her. Claire was about to lunge at her when Chance rushed over and stood between them.
“Hey, hey, hey, break it up,” he said, parting them. “What’s going on?”
“Why don’t you ask your dumb bimbo?” Claire fumed, slapping his hand away from her.
“Penelope, what’s this about?” he asked.
“Just making a point,” she said as she smoothed her hair.
“Why are you two back here alone?”
“I came here to enjoy the evening. She decided she would come out here to remind me of how wrong it is to want to be with you,” Claire snarled at the woman.
“She what?” Chance asked. He was growing more infuriated by the minute. “Penelope, it’s not your place to talk to my sister like that. You owe her an apology.”
“I’m not blind, Chance. I saw the way she looked at you when we came in,” she spat. “What would I be apologizing for?”
“Are you hearing yourself?” he asked the woman. “She is my family.”
“And I am your whore?” she asked and shoved past him. “You two are messed up.”
Chance stared at the ground after Penelope had left. “I’m sorry about that. She can be unusually feisty. Please forgive me?” He looked at her. “She’s nothing.”
“That didn’t seem to stop you from parading her in here earlier today. I saw you walk in; she was draped over your arm. Tell me something, Chance - do you make a habit of misleading women?”