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He turns so that his back is to the hostess and leans down so that he can place his lips to my temple.
His voice is soft as he whispers, “I know what that was about. It’s incredibly sexy when you’re jealous and staking your claim.”
I jerk back from him in surprise, my face flaming with heat.
“I-I wasn’t doing that.”
His smirk deepens, and I roll my eyes at him before turning quickly and heading to the restrooms. I need a minute to myself. In the span of ten minutes, I’ve had to deal with being thrust into the limelight, watching my daughter be frightened by rude people, and then watching a very attractive, younger woman flirt with Chandler. The night has just begun, and I’m already exhausted.
It’s going to be a long night.
I’m able to finish in the restroom quickly, and I’m back by Chandler’s side before he and Soph can get too far. I don’t look at Chandler as I step up to his side, but I can feel him looking at me. Sophia squirms in his arms to be let down, and as he places her on her feet, someone comes up to us from his other side.
“Chandler! I’m so glad you could make it!”
A very tall blonde woman wraps her arms around Chandler, and it doesn’t escape my notice that she is incredibly beautiful. Chandler pats her politely on the back, not turning to face her fully.
“Victoria, nice to see you. I heard you were holding a function, and I had to come and show my support.”
Victoria pulls back some but keeps an arm around Chandler’s waist so that her body stays close to his.
“You just couldn’t stay away from me, could you?”
I must make some kind of sound because the both of them turn to look at me. Chandler is amused and Victoria looks like she is going to say something rude until she sees me and her face turns to shock.
“Tanya?”
Her face pales and she looks like she’s seen a ghost, and in some way, I guess she has. I don’t say anything; I just look between her and Chandler, pulling Sophia closer to me. The movement draws Victoria’s attention to her and her head snaps to Chandler.
“You have a child?”
I really don’t want Sophia here to witness this conversation. I have no idea how Chandler is going to react; we haven’t talked about how to handle telling people about us.
“I do. Tanya here was in a bad accident when she disappeared and has been dealing with amnesia. We just recently found each other.”
I don’t like that he is telling people about what happened to me, but I don’t really see any other choice for him. Most of these people knew me and are going to want an explanation.
“Amnesia?” Her tone is snarking, and she gives me a disbelieving look.
Chandler either doesn’t hear the snark or chooses to ignore it. He removes Victoria’s hands from around himself and steps back to my side. It’s a good feeling to see him reject her and come to my side. Her face darkens at the move, but she quickly covers it up with a fake smile.
“Well, isn’t that a fairy tale story. When did you make your way back, Tanya?”
I don’t want to talk to this woman about my life, but I can’t figure out a way to avoid it.
“I’ve been living in Willow Creek. Chandler attended a gala there and found me.”
She eyes me up and down, and I get the feeling that she was counting on me staying gone.
“How nice. Chandler, you should have let everyone know that she was back. I’ll get the word out that your lovely Tanya is back so we can all celebrate. I’ve got to mingle now; don’t leave without saying goodbye.”
She kisses Chandler on the cheek and spins around, her hair flipping behind her as she stalks off.
“She seemed nice.”
Chandler snorts and turns to face Soph and I.
“Come on, let’s look around and see what they have. Sophia, point out some of the art you think would look good in your and Mommy’s new place.”
