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Her nose scrunched and her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Should we take a walk around the room? Maybe we can listen in?”
My lips twitched. “We shouldn’t.”
“But it would be fun,” she whispered.
I grinned, a weight lifting off my chest. Willow King had a way of making everything feel better. “It would.”
“Behave yourselves,” Ronan warned, lifting a glass of wine from a waiter’s tray as they walked past.
“We will,” Willow assured him as she disentangled herself from his hold and linked her arm with mine. “Let’s go.”
We circled around a group of people from the police department’s upper echelon and slowly made our way toward Neal, Sewell, Ireland, and West.
“I know it probably doesn’t help, but West fooled us all,” Willow murmured, ducking her head close to mine. “I only met him a couple of times, but I was certain he adored you.”
“He’s a good actor.” I refused to think more of it than that.
Willow hesitated. “Zeke said West’s feelings might be real.”
I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye. “Zeke can’t keep his nose out of anything.”
She tilted her head in acknowledgement. “Do you think he might have a point?”
I sighed. I wanted to believe it, although I wouldn’t examine my reasons for that too closely.
“I don’t know.” I met West’s eyes as we passed them by. Warmth danced in their depths, and it unsettled something inside me.
We'd barely passed them when Neal made a crack about Willow. I didn’t hear everything he said, but the words “rich bitch” were unmistakable. I stiffened, and started to turn around, ready to tear into him, but Willow dragged me away.
“Don’t,” she hissed.
“But he—”
“I know.” She tutted the same way she might at a dog that had crapped in the corner. “But if West needs to get close to them, then you calling them on their poor behavior won’t help.”
I growled under my breath. “How do you stay so calm when people say things like that right in front of you?”
Willow gave a slight shrug. “Entitled, arrogant men have always been part of my life. My brother mingled with an unpleasant crowd, and if I said anything to them about being inappropriate, he’d have been furious at me, so I suppose I learned to bury my feelings in public.”
I frowned. “Ronan doesn’t expect you to do that, does he?”
“No.” She smiled like a self-satisfied cat. “Ronan will happily dress down anyone he thinks deserves it.”
“Good.” I hated to think of her being with someone who expected her to tolerate the poor behavior of others.
She raised her hand and waggled her fingers. I followed her gaze to where Ronan was speaking with Antony Marcelli. He practically smoldered back at her. My heart battered against my rib cage. I wanted someone to look at me like that. As if I was the center of their universe.
I had to get away for a moment. I appreciated Willow keeping me company, but the obvious devotion she and Ronan shared rubbed like salt in a wound.
“I’ve got to use the bathroom,” I told her, sliding my arm free of hers.
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
I hurried to the bathroom and locked myself in a stall. I put the toilet lid down, sat, and closed my eyes as I drew in slow, deep breaths. Emotions rioted through me, tightening my throat and causing my pulse to race. I did my best to regain control over them, but I was still on edge as I exited the stall.
I studied my reflection in the mirror. Olive skin, dark eyes that were slightly tipped up at the corners. The dark blue dress flattered my complexion and had cost more than I’d like to admit. I didn’t have many special events outfits though, so it felt reasonable to splurge.
I was tempted to splash water on my face, but then I’d smear my makeup. The door opened to my right, and I jerked in surprise. Pulling myself together, I marched out, but came up short as I almost walked into Thackery waiting outside.
