“Aw, thanks.And—is this one of your guys?”
“Ack, sorry.How rude of me.”I give Dmitri an apologetic smile, but he seems chill about being ignored in favor of dress chatter.I introduce the two of them.
Dmitri keeps his left hand on my lower back and shakes hands with Olivia.“It’s nice to meet you.Leah has said many good things about you.”
The three of us make small talk for a couple of minutes, until Olivia says, “So sorry, I have to mingle.If you see Ella or Sam, tell them to find me, okay?”
“Sure.Oh—and Gage is supposed to come through the back.Have you seen him?”
“Not yet.Our security is the best, though, and they know to keep an eye out for him.”
“Thanks so much for letting him use a different entrance.”
“Anytime.”She gives my forearm a gentle squeeze.“I know what it’s like.”
That’s right, she does.Over the course of the few days I’ve known her, she shared some of the absolute chaos of her past.The fact that she seems so calm and happy now gives me hope that someday I might overcome the drama in my own life.Tonight, at least, I can pretend everything is settled.
Dmitri and I wander around.Dmitri snags two flutes of champagne from a passing server.We clink glasses and he grins.“To small talk with strangers.”
“Oh, stop it.Olivia is a friend.”
“She’s a stranger to me.”
“Not anymore.”I bat my eyelashes.“You said more than three words to her.That makes you besties.”
He laughs as we find a quiet area to people-watch from.Two handsome men in tuxes flank Olivia.They must be her husbands, and I make a note to ask her for an introduction later.She’s talked about how madly in love she is with them.From the way they casually touch her and look at her, I can tell they feel the same.My heart gives a pang of yearning.If Dmitri and Gage got along better, maybe we could have something similar.For as long as it lasted, I would enjoy it.
I notice a lean, muscular guy with light brown hair who looks vaguely familiar.He’s with a blond-haired woman I’ve never seen before—but when I notice the giant guy following behind him, it clicks.
“Hey.”I tug on Dmitri’s sleeve.“I recognize those guys.Weren’t they at Patrick’s party?Edward?And Troy?”
Dmitri frowns.“Close.It’s Edmund and Troy.Christ, I can’t get away from those guys no matter what I do.”
“Are they…bad news or something?”
“They’re with the Layton family.”
“And…”
“The Laytons?You haven’t heard of them?”
“No.”I put a hand on my hip, frustrated.“Should I have?”
“Fuck.”He shakes his head.“I…shit, this isn’t the place to tell you.”
“Tell me what?Because whatever it is, now youhaveto tell me.”
He takes my hand and stares into my eyes.His voice is firm, but kind.“Leah, this is the worst time.Later, okay?”
Edmund’s gaze swivels in our direction, and I freeze.Does he know we’re talking about him?He starts forward, the blond woman trailing behind him like an afterthought.
Dmitri lets out a frustrated groan.“Oh, shit, here he comes.”
“What is the problem?”Inside, I’m seething.But I keep my voice low, and a smile on my face.“This conversation isn’t over, Dmitri.”
“It is for tonight.”He glares at Edmund.
“Oh yeah?Who died and made you boss?”
