Chapter 5 #2
Richard's attention shifted to me. His smile was warm, his eyes shrewd. "So this is the woman who's been keeping our favorite architect from his drafting table. I've heard quite a bit about you."
"All lies, I'm sure." The quip came out before I could second-guess it.
Richard laughed—a genuine sound, not the polished chuckle I'd expected. "I like her already. Where did you two meet?"
"My coffee shop," I said. "He walked in a year ago and told me my foam art looked like a deformed sheep."
"It did," Callum said without missing a beat.
"It was a heart."
“If you say so.”
Richard looked between us, amused. "And you started dating him after that?"
"God, no. I hated him for at least eight months.” I felt Callum's fingers twitch against my back. "He grew on me. Like a fungus."
"A fungus." Richard's grin widened. "Callum, I don't think I've ever heard anyone compare you to a fungus before."
"It's a unique experience, being with Willow. She keeps me humble."
"Someone needs to," Eleanor interjected. Her voice was cool, measured. She was still assessing me with those sharp eyes, and I had the distinct impression I was failing whatever test she'd constructed. "Tell me, Willow—what is it you do at this coffee shop?"
"I manage it. Brew & Bean, over on Maple Street."
"How charming." The way she said charming made it sound as though she were diagnosing a disease. "And how long have you two been together?"
"Officially? Six weeks.” I glanced at Callum, found him watching me with an intensity that made my mouth go dry. "Unofficially, probably longer. What can I say? Turns out, I’m irresistible.”
Richard made a sweep of me head and toe and agreed, “Clearly.”
“Put your eyes back in your head, darling,” Eleanor sipped her champagne. “She’s taken.”
Polite chuckles followed but I could feel Eleanor sizing me up. Was I threat? Richard might prize solid ethics and morals in his people but the jury was out whether or not he subscribed to the same principles.
As the fourth wife, Eleanor was probably eagle-eyed for anyone who might threaten her position.
Calm down, honey, I don’t want your rich, old geezer. Clearly, I have my own. Not that Callum was old. He was more, perfectly seasoned, and looking like a Callum-sized meal in that suit. My cheeks heated at the inappropriate bent of my private thoughts but Richard caught it.
“Ehhhh, I know that look.” Richard clapped Callum on the shoulder. “She’s going to keep you on your toes, young man. Don’t hurt yourself.”
It was Callum’s turn to blush as he accepted the good-natured ribbing.
"We should let you mingle," Eleanor said, pulling gently on her husband. “We have many guests to welcome to the party.”
"Of course." Callum's hand pressed against my back, guiding me away from the Ashfords. "We'll see you later."
“Yikes, that was like facing down a shark in a designer dress,” I said. “Is she going to stab me with a shrimp fork if I accidentally look Richard’s way?”
He chuckled. “Maybe. Best not to test your theory.”
I shuddered, my hand going around Callum’s strong, muscled forearm.
"Eleanor snagged her current title when Richard and his last wife were separated. She was hired to redecorate his Hampton house and suddenly, she was the next Mrs. Ashford — a title she guards fiercely.” Callum plucked my empty champagne glass from my hand, set it on a passing server's tray. “But you handled yourself well."
I grimaced. “I called you a fungus.”
"Richard loved it."
“Yeah, well, Eleanor didn’t find me as witty.”
"Eleanor isn't the one making decisions about the Riverside contract." He turned me to face him, hands on my upper arms, close enough that I could see the individual threads in his bow tie. "You were perfect, Willow. Natural, charming, exactly what I needed."
“Make sure to leave a good Yelp review for my service,” I quipped.
He laughed, the sound low and charming. “Are you planning on making this a career?”
I shrugged. “Maybe. Who knows? I might have a knack for playing the pretend girlfriend.” I leaned against him, enjoying the feel of his solid body next to mine.
The rest of the evening blurred into a parade of faces and names I'd never remember.
Architects, developers, city council members, philanthropists whose net worth exceeded the GDP of small nations.
Callum introduced me as his girlfriend, and each time, a small thrill shot through me that I couldn't quite suppress.
We mingled, smiled, played the parts we were supposed to play but after a while Callum must’ve sensed I needed a break because he steered me out the terrace doors where the cool night air was a welcome reprieve.
“Thank you,” I breathed in the night air. “How’d did you know my cheeks felt frozen in a fake smile?”
“I needed a break, too.” He leaned against the railing, looking effortlessly handsome and at the same time ruggedly masculine, as I lifted my face to the gentle breeze. I sensed him watching me, his gaze feeling like a subtle caress on my skin. I glanced his way. “You’re staring again.”
“Can’t help it. You’re the most beautiful woman here.”
My cheeks heated. “Careful, Callum, that sounds suspiciously like flirting.”
“Not at all. Just a factual observation.”
I chuckled.
"Ready to go?" Callum asked, pushing off the terrace to reach for my hand.
"God, yes."
"We should say goodbye to Richard."
We found him, cigar in hand, holding court with a group of men in expensive suits. He excused himself when he saw us approach.
"Leaving so soon?"
"Early morning tomorrow," Callum said. "But thank you for having us. It's been a wonderful evening."
"The pleasure was mine." Richard shook Callum's hand, then mine. His handshake was firm, his gaze knowing. "Willow, it was lovely to meet you. I hope we'll see you at more events."
"I'll try to keep Callum from hiding in his office."
"Please do. He needs someone to drag him into the real world." Richard leaned closer, lowered his voice. "Between you and me, I've never seen him this happy. Whatever you're doing, keep it up."
The comment lodged in my throat. This happy. As if Callum's contentment was my doing rather than a performance we'd both agreed to.
We said our goodbyes and made our way to the valet stand. The night air was cool against my overheated skin, and I breathed deeply, trying to shake off the strange melancholy that had settled over me.
The valet brought the car around. Callum opened my door, waited for me to slide inside, then closed it with the same careful attention he'd shown at the start of the evening.
We drove in silence for five minutes before I couldn't take it anymore.
"You were right," I said. "No champagne fountain."
"I'm always right."
“You’re insufferable.” I kicked off my heels, tucked my feet beneath me. "So. I’m a bit confused. If Richard isn’t exactly living the life of a saint, why does he care how his business associates live their lives?”
“At his core, I think Richard is a romantic. He wants to find that love that you see in fairy tales and when he becomes disillusioned by the reality, he moves onto the next fantasy. But, like I said, at his core, he truly wants to believe in love and just because he hasn’t found it yet, doesn’t mean others can’t. ”
“Kind of like, always chasing after what you don’t have,” I murmured in understanding. “That’s really sad.”
“Don’t feel bad for Richard Ashford. He’s doing just fine,” Callum said with a smile. “Eleanor and Richard are both sharks. They’re probably perfect for each other.”
“As long as they don’t eat each other,” I quipped.
“True enough, but I say that’s their problem. All I need is for Ashford to see us as that happy couple he desperately wants to be so subconsciously his favor swings my way.”
“I think you might be a shark, too,” I said.
He grinned with a shrug. “Maybe so. Thanks for swimming with me.”
“Who hasn’t dreamed of swimming with sharks?”
I leaned back in the darkened car, enjoying no longer having to be “on” but there was something about tonight’s performance that bothered me more than having to pretend to enjoy schmoozing with a bunch of entitled rich people.
It was how easily Callum pretended to be in love with me.
I mean, yeah, that was the point, but for a heartbeat, even I was fooled.
And it bothered me because I liked the feeling of his adoration.
I hope this little adventure didn’t turn out to be the worst decisions of my life.
Guess I’ll just have to wait and find out.