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I shake Richard’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. I heard you met on that app of yours,” he adds, turning to Colton. “So, it really works, eh?”
Colton chuckles, and I play along until his hand finds the small of my back again. My body goes rigid, my mind freezing over as his touch becomes the only thing I can focus on.
“Been telling you for years, Richard. Trust me,” he says, fixing his gaze on me. “It works.”
Swallowing to wet my dry throat, I look back at Richard and nod. “Oh, yeah. This guy is a genius.”
“Huh. Maybe I’ll consider it,” Richard says. “So, where are you from, Jane? What do you do?”
Oh, here we go. “I’m from Oregon,” I say with practiced ease. “Moved here to become an actress. I’ve had some luck here and there, but it’s a competitive business.”
“Yes, it is,” Richard says with a knowing nod. “You said your name was Myers. As in Myers Copper, Inc.?”
I force a light giggle. “Oh, no. My family is much more modest. Loving and caring, but not as financially blessed. Your typical middle-class family. Mom’s a teacher and Dad a mechanic.”
Richard chuckles politely, and Colton rubs circles on my back, sending my heart into freefall. He throws me a look I’m having a hard time deciphering. Surprise, maybe? I guess I should have told him about my new backstory.
Richard and Colton start talking business, and I seize the opportunity to excuse myself, retreating to the restrooms. My bladder’s been killing me since my second glass of champagne.
“Jane,” a tall blond says, her manicured hand falling on my arm.
“Hi, Stephanie.” I smile, proud of my impeccable memory. Colton introduced her earlier as a business owner who owns a cosmetics brand. She’s standing with a girl I haven’t met before. The second girl has her hair pinned up in a fancy updo, and she’s wearing a long black dress.
“I wanted to introduce you to Paula. She just arrived.”
“Hi,” Paula says with a fake smile. “Sorry I’m late. I was at a photoshoot, but I didn’t want to miss meeting the woman who managed to steal Colton’s heart.”
“Oh. Nice to meet you,” I say before proceeding to the bathroom.
“Wait,” Paula says, a hint of laughter in her voice. “Isn’t that my old Burberry dress?” Her words melt into a full cackle.
I freeze. Damn it. “Mmm. I don’t think so,” I mumble before trying to escape again. But she’s not having it.
“Sure it is,” she says. “Here’s the stitch I made on a yacht trip in Santorini a few years ago.” She tugs my shoulder until I turn around, and I feel her hand on the back of my neck. Why did I have to wear my hair up? “You got this from a charity shop, right? I told my assistant to donate a bunch of stuff to the poor.”
My cheeks go numb as the blood drains from my face. I don’t know how to answer her, because she’s mostly right. It was a consignment shop, not a charity store, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is a second-hand dress. Why didn’t I think of the possibility this might happen? Because there are 3.8 million people living in this city, so the odds were incredibly slim. But here we are. Shame courses through my veins, and I notice Colton’s curious look from all the way across the room. Being embarrassed is something I can handle, but I don’t want my stupidity to reflect badly on Colton.
Without another word, I scurry to the restrooms as tears pool in my eyes.
15
New beginning
Jane
It’s fine. I can’t let that slip-up ruin my night, or Colton’s. I need to be professional and handle this with dignity. So what if I shopped at a consignment store? There’s no shame in being poor. Besides, it’s good for the environment.
“Jane!” calls a girl with long chestnut-brown hair when I exit the bathroom stall. I don’t know how long I stayed locked up in there, but it was long enough for me to regain my composure. The girl beams at me with a bright smile. She’s very pretty, and she has kind eyes that make me feel instantly at ease. I think her name was Mary, or something similar. If I recall correctly, she lives on Colton’s street. And here I thought my memory was faultless.
“Marcie Rosemont,” she says with a chuckle, probably seeing the battle inside my head.
I let out a small laugh. “Sorry. There were a lot of names to memorize tonight.”
She nods and offers another warm smile. “Don’t let Paula get to you. She has something nasty to say about everyone.”
My face warms again. “Oh, you heard that? It’s fine, don’t worry about me.” Biting my lip, I dry my hand with a tiny plush towel.
