“Let’s just mingle and get this over with.”
He switched his hand to the small of her back and stayed close as she led him through the room. He alternated between his normal smile and his keep-away face, depending on how she reacted to particular people. She tensed when the click-clack of high heels announced the approach of her sisters-in-law, two other women clickity-clacking behind them.
“Oh, God,” she groaned quietly. “Here we go.”
“Anything I should know?”
“Those are Anna’s friends from college. They hate me.”
Enough said. Colton wrapped his arm fully around her, letting his fingers curl possessively over the curve of her waist.
“Gretchen,” Anna crooned. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Gretchen snorted.
Anna blinked and turned her attention to Colton. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he said.
“Can I introduce you to a couple of my friends?” Anna stepped aside before he could respond. “These are my dearest friends, Shanna and Renee. They’re such huge fans of yours.”
The two women fawned over him with oohs and aahs and gushed about how they’d been to three of his concerts. Not once did they even look at Gretchen.
“Can we get a picture with you?” one of them asked. He couldn’t remember which one was which. She’d already gotten out her phone and was coming to stand beside him, completely blocking Gretchen.
His blood pressure spiked. “Sorry, ladies. Not tonight.”
Their faces went blank as if it was the first time they’d ever been denied something they wanted.
Colton gazed down at Gretchen. “Tonight, I’m just here to support my girl.”
“Oh,” one of them said. She finally realized Gretchen was there. “I— Are you guys actually dating?”
“We are.”
Gretchen said it with a smile. He didn’t know how she managed it. He wanted to break something. Instead, he laid heavy on the drawl, making sure to hold her gaze as he spoke. “Finally. I had to chase this woman for over a year to convince her to give me a chance.”
The blank expressions returned.
How had Gretchen put up with this kind of dismissal her entire life? Colton dipped his head. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us? I need to show her off some more.”
He squeezed Gretchen’s waist and led her away.
“I think I want one of those dark closets now,” she said, her voice breathless.
He knew the feeling. He was officially on fire. “Your bedroom,” he said. “And this time we’re locking the fucking door.”
“There you are, Gretchen.” Her mother’s voice ruined everything.
They turned in unison to find her approaching in clipped, tense steps, her expression drawn tight. She wore a long red gown, looking as regal as a queen.
Diane forced a pleasant smile when she saw Colton, but it clearly took some effort.
“Colton, would you mind if I steal my daughter for a moment?”
“Actually, Mom, we were just about to—”
“I need to talk to you.” Diane’s expression changed again as she spotted something—or someone—over Gretchen’s shoulder. Colton glanced that way to find Jack, Frasier, and Blake in a huddle. Even if their tense postures hadn’t given away that something was amiss, their facial expressions did the trick. The men had enough simmering rage in their eyes to contribute to global warming.
Diane gripped Gretchen’s arm. “This will just take a second, honey. Please.”
“Go ahead,” Colton said. “I can find a way to amuse myself.”
He squeezed her hand, and as she trailed her mother through the crowd, he snagged a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
“Colton. You made it.”
It was Evan’s voice this time. Colton turned around in time to see the man sauntering his way with just enough of a drag to his feet to suggest he’d had a little too much of the signature product already. Maybe that was what had the rest of the family so upset, but when Colton looked around for backup, he was on his own.
Evan approached with his hand extended. “Good of you to come,” he said. His grip was stronger than necessary, as if he was trying too hard. Whether he meant it to intimidate or to cover up the slur of his words remained to be seen.
“I’m here for Gretchen,” Colton said carefully.
“Well, I’m glad I got you alone.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?” Colton sipped his champagne for no other reason than to give himself some time to measure Evan’s intentions. He didn’t trust this asshole any farther than he could throw him.