During dinner I focus on eating the delicious food and talking with Emma and ignore Barrett, except when I have to smile at him adoringly, and that one time when I was lovingly patting his thigh but decided to pinch and twist instead.
By dessert, Barrett’s arm is resting over part of the back of my chair, which wouldn’t be a big deal except my dress is backless and I’ve now accidentally leaned into his hand twice. Those fucking hands.
When it happens again, I nearly jump out of my seat.
“I’m going to the ladies’ room,” I announce in monotone. Now who’s the robot? I feel like Barrett’s charm is wearing off on me.
“Hurry back. They’ll be serving dessert soon,” Emma says cheerily.
I don’t use the ladies’ room, but instead wander the hall. I take another lap through the silent auction.
“Anything interesting?” The male voice beside me causes me to look up. It’s the handsome man from earlier. Hunter Cartwright, Emma had said.
“Nothing I can afford.” I smile.
He laughs. “But it’s for the dogs.”
I laugh. “Yes, they are cute,” I say, looking at the poster for the Goldendoodle dog fostering program.
“Hunter Cartwright.” He extends his hand and I take it.
“Chloe Anderson.”
“Nice to meet you.” He smiles again, his blue eyes sparkling. “That’s some dress.”
“Yeah?” I say, surprised. “Thank you. My date has yet to comment.”
As soon as I say it, I hate that it is what has been bugging me all night. I shouldn’t care what Barrett thinks. I don’t need his approval. I don’t need him to tell me I look nice.
“He’s an idiot.”
“He’s actually a smart businessman.” I’m shocked the words fall from my mouth so easily. They’re true, of course, but I thought I’d be the last person to defend Barrett tonight.
“Chloe.” We both turn to find Barrett entering the room. His dark expression lightens when he sees Hunter.
“St. Clair,” Hunter extends his hand and Barrett takes it. They both pull each other in for a half shake, half man hug and pat on the back. “Good to see you.”
“I saw Hannah inside, she said you were here. We should grab lunch sometime,” Barrett responds.
“Sure. I’ll have Jeannie call Bea to set it up,” Hunter responds.
They smile at each other. Long lost brothers these two.
“So, you’re the idiot,” Hunter says.
“What?” Barrett questions.
“Chloe here is with some idiot that doesn’t recognize she’s the most beautiful woman at the event.”
Barret’s stare falls on me and I chuckle, shifting from foot to foot. That’s not really what I said, but Hunter seems to be enjoying ribbing Barrett.
A moment of silence passes before Barrett answers, “No one’s called me an idiot in a while and gotten away with it. I’ll take that out on you on the racquetball court.”
Hunter laughs. “Sounds good. I’ll see you two. Nice to meet you, Chloe.” He pats my arm and gives Barrett a nod before disappearing.
I expect Barrett to acknowledge what Hunter said, maybe say I look nice, even if it’s only because Hunter called him out. I guess I shouldn’t expect things from Barrett.
“Dinner’s over.” That’s what he says. “I’m going to find Fred before he leaves. Then we’ll go.”
“Sure,” I say, keeping my voice calmer than I feel.
I turn back toward the tables of auction items, and when I glance behind me Barrett is gone.
My eyes catch on that Goldendoodle foster program poster again and I get an idea. A feeling of true giddiness passes through my body for the first time since I walked down the stairs at Barrett’s house.
A few minutes later I return to the main room, a glass of champagne in my hand and a smile on my face.
CHAPTER 13
Barrett
I usually avoid events like tonight, The Top Dog Gala, like the plague. But with my sights set on Voltaire, I’m making every effort to show Fred that SCM is the right choice. That effort is me putting on this tuxedo, mingling with people I have no interest in talking to and bidding on silent auction items with highly offensive price tags.
At the bar, I order a scotch while Carl orders a gin martini. I sip my scotch and take in the room. After dinner, the ballroom lights dimmed and several tables were cleared to make room for the dance floor. A jazz quartet is now playing softly while couples dance under a canopy of stars that lowered from the ceiling.