Someone like Nate.
Stop. Get that thought out of your head right now.
Again and again, Nate kept springing to mind. Even now, in the midst of all this glitz and glamor, I couldn’t get him out of my head.
Chiding myself, I plastered a wide smile on my lips and walked through the doors with Rick, grudgingly allowing him to take my arm. The hotel lobby was shiny and new, the building having been completed only nine months ago. Rick led me to the ballroom. Again, I was struck by how silly it was to be having it here rather than closer to the hospital. Another way for rich people to separate themselves from the poor.
“Pretty nice, right?” Rick asked, dragging me from my bitter thoughts.
“Oh, yeah,” I said.
The place had been decorated with white roses, lilies, and tulips. Gold and white balloon sculptures and multiple ice carvings stood around the room. In the corner, a jazz band played a light tune as people made their way in and mingled. Everyone wore tuxedos, gowns, and cocktail dresses. Diamonds glittered on every hand and neck. One woman wore what looked like a ten-carat diamond on a pendant necklace that caught the light, sparkling like a tiny sun on her chest. An open bar sat at the rear of the ballroom, where people were getting glasses of Dom Perignon and Cristal. It was more than I’d anticipated, and my nerves started to get the better of me.
Rick must have felt the tension in my body because he patted my hand and put his lips to my ear. “No reason to be nervous.”
“Sorry,” I said and adjusted the dress. “I sort of wish I’d worn a different dress. I don’t feel comfortable in this thing.”
Rick’s face fell, looking hurt. “You don’t like it? I thought it was a nice peace offering.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I love it. It’s beautiful. It’s just like I’m wearing the wrong skin or something. I’m not used to wearing something this expensive. That’s all.”
I would have stood out like a flashing red light in my off-the-rack department store clearance dresses. Not a single dress I could see looked like it cost less than five hundred dollars.
Rick’s smile returned. “It’s all right. I’m happy to spoil myfriendwith something nice. Besides, you want to fit in, right?” he said, echoing my own private thoughts. “Come on, let’s say hi to some people.”
This part, I was ready for. I might not have moved in these people’s circles, but I was still a journalist at heart. Over the last couple days, I’d found the guest list and researched several areas of concern for some of the more powerful people who would be in attendance.
Rick walked me toward a small group of people who all appeared to be in their fifties or sixties.
“Hello, everyone,” Rick said. “How are we tonight? I wanted to introduce my girlfriend. This is Cameron Torres.”
My heart lurched, and it was all I could do not to dig my nails into the back of his hand and draw blood. So fucking much for just friends. Asshole. I should have known this was how things would go.
Too late now. I was here. When this was over, I’d tear Rick a new one.
“Wonderful to meet you,” one of the ladies said, and I recognized her as a member of the Toronto City Council.
I shook her hand, putting on a mask of grace and charm, shoving my rage down deep. “Good evening, Councilwoman Clark. It’s an honor to meet you.”
She smiled at me. “You’ve found yourself quite a catch, young lady. The Masters family is revered not just in Toronto, but all of Canada.”
“Oh, he sure is something,” I said, looking at Rick while gritting my teeth.
If he noticed my anger, he didn’t show it. In fact, he acted oblivious.
The group was full of local politicians. Thanks to my diligent research and knowledge of issues, by the time we moved on, I’d won them all over. Even Rick looked impressed that I’d kept up my end of the conversation.
“I didn’t know you were into politics,” he said as we stopped by the bar to grab drinks.
“I’m a journalist,” I grunted as the bartender handed me a glass of white wine. Once we were out of earshot of everyone, I dropped my smile and hissed, “What the fuck, Rick? What happened to just friends?”
He gave me an embarrassed smile. “Sorry. It’s hard to change after so long. Plus, it’s just easier to introduce you as my girlfriend. I mean, you are my friend who happens to be a girl, right?”
“We’re going to have a long talk about this when we’re done here,” I said, then downed my drink in one gulp.
Doing my best to keep up a good front, I allowed Rick to guide me to another group of people. We struck up a conversation with the pitcher I’d seen earlier. He was with a group of other pro athletes in attendance—players from the Maple Leafs and Raptors. The douchebags at work who covered sports would be eating their hearts out if they knew I was talking to some of their favorite players.
To keep my mind off the disaster that was happening with Rick, I dived headfirst into conversation. I managed to ask each of them about their careers, seasons, and even encouraged the NBA player not to take the contract the team had offered him since I considered it a lowball offer after reading about it.
