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“Ma.” I scrub a hand over my downturned expression. “I don’t know where you’re getting the impression there’s something between Daph and I—” Just the memories of mind-blowing sex that keep me borderline obsessed with her. “—but it’s never gonna happen.”
It can’t. Not if I want to keep her safe.
My mother eyes me, studying me for several moments before tossing her hands up in surrender. “Fine. Okay. I’m sorry I overstepped.”
Rounding the island, I come to stand at her side, pulling her into me so I can plant a kiss on her forehead. “No reason to apologize. I just want you to have realistic expectations. Daphne and I are friends.” I wrap her up in another squeeze before releasing her to dig my keys from my pocket. “I gotta head out. Does 6:30 work?”
“For what?” Her brow creases with confusion.
“For me to pick you up. No sense in making Pops go tonight when he despises these things. Plus, it’s been a while since I’ve gotten to trigger Belinda Burke and the rest of the ethically challenged minions of this city. Come on. We can outbid them on all the silent auction items, then donate them back to charity at the end like you know they despise. We’ll make a night of it. Just you and me.”
Even I’m impressed how I manage to keep my tone light while delivering my suggestion, but the slight shake of her head suggests she knows my motive is shit. I’d do anything for my mom, but the idea that I’m offering to escort her tonight simply to alleviate my dad from having to endure the company of those he hates is just as ludicrous as my previous claim that Daph and I are friends.
Daphne Burke and I could never be just friends. Not when I know what she looks like unraveling beneath me. Not when I know how tightly she clenches me when I whisper filthy praises in her ear.
This is a bad idea. I know it, and judging on how she just ran from me, she certainly won’t appreciate my attendance at tonight’s event. Nothing good could possibly come from this.
Yet, when my mother confirms 6:30 as an acceptable time to pick her up, I text Rico to see if he and JP can handle tonight’s meeting without me.
CHAPTER 13
NOW
DAPHNE
The elaborately decorated ballroom of The Onyx Hotel is a sight to behold. Thousands of twinkling lights are embedded within the ceiling, serving as a backlight to the canopy of flowers suspended above.
I stand amidst the crowd, faintly aware of my mother’s mindless droning beside me, admiring the beauty lingering just out of reach. It’s almost enough to distract from the less-than-stellar company I’m forced to endure for the evening.
Almost.
“Daphne.” My mother’s sharp tone slices through the serenity of the moment, tearing my gaze from above.
“Hmm?”
“You remember Mrs. Castleback?” She grits her teeth in an unnatural smile, clearly annoyed by my inattentiveness. Yes, because God forbid I offend the woman my mother was talking shit about with my wedding planner just last month. Still, I play the part like the dutiful puppet she expects me to be for the evening.
“Of course.” I turn my attention to the woman wearing enough diamonds to be considered a walking jewelry store. “So good to see you, Mrs. Castleback. How is Emily enjoying married life?”
My question delights her, launching her into an animated account covering everything from her son-in-law’s recent promotion at work to their current attempts to conceive. That’s the key to survival at these things—just keep providing them with opportunities to talk about themselves, and you escape relatively unscathed.
That is, at least, when my mother isn’t attempting to steal that spotlight right back.
“So wonderful to hear Emily is doing well,” my mother coos in a sickly-sweet voice. “Daphne here will be tying the knot later this year.”
“Ah! That’s right. And to a Devoreaux, no less.” Her eyes scan my appearance more closely this time, her slow perusal appraising in nature.
The Devoreauxs are a well-known family in our social circles. Luc’s father is a high-profile accountant who handles the financial portfolios of most of the elite in the city. The status their name holds doesn’t necessarily stem from a place of respect, but rather the fact that he could single-handedly cripple the city’s economy.
Insider trading, tax evasion, embezzlement, fraud—no one in this room is a hundred percent on the up and up, and Elliot Devoreaux is a master at concealing it all. I know he must be great at his job because even Nicky uses him.
“I believe we received your Save the Date in the mail. I was surprised to learn the wedding was happening so suddenly.”
Ah, let the subtle backhanded jabs begin.
“Six months out is hardly sudden, Julia.” My mother forces a shrill laugh. “Plus, Daphne and Lucian have been engaged since last July. They met at Vassar.”
“Is that so?” Julia Castleback feigns a look of confusion. “So strange. I meet Margot for brunch at least once a week and she’s never so much as hiccupped a word about Lucian having a fiancée.”
