Chapter 22
People milled around, dressed to impress. Harlon had stopped and talked shop with several clients and men dressed in military uniforms. Women flirted shamelessly with him as we made our way to the table where Ruby, Milton, and Quinton were seated near the podium.
Everything in the ballroom was glitz and glamour. Everything I wasn’t. Where I’d once felt beautiful in my black gown, I now understood just how underdressed I was. A group of women dripping in diamonds, rubies, and emeralds passed in front of me. One even had a tiara on her head and a sash over her shoulder as if she were some type of royalty.
The only other people less dressed than me were the uniformed dog trainers standing next to the canines.
“Why are you frowning?”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, and he kissed my cheek and led me over to the table with his hand on my back.
I could do this for one night. I could pretend I belonged.
Quinton and Milton rose as we neared the table.
“You two didn’t bring dates?” I asked.
“We never do, not to this. This is work, not socializing,” Quinton said.
“It wouldn’t be fair to the ladies to have our attention heading so many different directions,” Milton clarified as his gaze followed a blonde’s shapely ass as she strolled by.
“Don’t let them fool you, Nina. They like to score more than contracts at these events,” Ruby said before taking a sip of her champagne.
I took a seat next to Ruby. “Did you bring a date, or are you taking the Milton and Quinton approach to finding a woman.”
I realized my mistake the minute it left my mouth. Harlon wasn’t supposed to know that Ruby liked women. Heat claimed my cheeks.
Ruby chuckled and passed me the extra glass of champagne she’d been hoarding like a double-fisted drinker who wanted to be anywhere but here. “I try to keep my personal and professional life separate.”
Harlon leaned in and kissed me before whispering in my ear, “We have to check in with the trainers and make at least one round through the guests. Do you want to stay here or go with me?”
“I’m good,” I said, waving him off. “Go do your thing.”
“He’s a workaholic,” Ruby said as all three men strolled around the room, shaking hands with a few people as they made their way to the trainers.
“He’s passionate about the dogs,” I said, lifting the champagne to my lips.
“He’s passionate about you too,” Ruby said. “He’s never brought a date to this event, and he’s never traveled out of town and kidnapped one.”
“I can’t blame him there. I’d do the same if it were my sisters in trouble.”
“Suzie’s an interesting woman.” Ruby sighed as if she were talking about a crush.
“What do you think happened to her?” I asked.
Ruby blushed like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar even though she just shrugged.
“You do know, don’t you?” I asked and leaned into her.
“She’d kill me if anyone knew.”
“Where is she, Ruby? Harlon’s been worried sick.”
“I don’t know where she is, but I know she’s okay. Well, she was two hours ago when she left my loft.” Ruby touched her lips as if remembering.
“You’re her lover?”
“What? No,” Ruby said, draining the remainder of her champagne.
