Page 110 of Love In Hiding

Olivia gave a wiggle of her eyebrows and laughed. “I heard West was going to be here tonight. Is that true? Do you know? He’s been invited for years but normally sent someone in his place.”

Olivia didn’t know her personal relationship with West, just that he was her biggest client. She tried not to let it burn her butt that Olivia only signed on because West sang her work praises. She had to get over that.

“Last I heard he’d be here, but if he doesn’t attend, Spencer is Senior Managing Attorney for The Carlisle Group.”

“Oh,” Olivia said, her hand coming out to land on London’s. “What a lovely way to meet. Me and my late husband—the third one—we met through work also. We were competitors. Oh, those good old days.”

She smiled. “Sometimes fighting means more than anger.”

“Don’t you know it,” Olivia said, running her hand down her arm, then patting Spencer’s shoulder. “It’s nice to meet you. Enjoy your night while I move around. I do love hosting.”

They were in New Jersey at a beautiful restaurant. Hundreds of people were moving around the floor, wine passing by on trays, fancy finger foods on others.

Spencer snagged two glasses and handed one over. “I thought you’d get a beer or a manly scotch,” she said.

“I’d rather, but I’m not going to fight for room in the bar.”

“I don’t blame you,” she said. “Can I confess something?”

“You hate these things,” he guessed, squinting one eye at her.

“Phew,” she said. “Yes, I do. I know it’s part of the job. But Paris is much better at breaking the ice.”

“And playing nice.”

“That too. So you’re a good second. I thought Olivia would have just introduced me around a bit but guess I can’t get that lucky.”

“You don’t know many. I understand.” His eyes were taking in the people. “I know a few. Follow me and we’ll get you some exposure.”

She leaned against his chest. “Thank you.”

They moved through the crowd, Spencer introducing her to some of his former clients. She did hand out two cards and was thankful she had them in her purse. She was asked, she’d never just been so forward about it without them inquiring.

“You haven’t lost your shit yet.” She turned to see West next to her quietly saying those words.

“I’m on my best behavior as always. What do you take me for?”

“It’s because you’ve got Spencer next to you,” West said.

He smiled. “Just introducing her around.”

There were a lot of eyes on them. Discreetly of course. When West walked into a room, most got as close as they could.

“Hi,” Abby said, moving over. “Sorry, I had to run to the ladies’ room.”

“West got you out tonight,” she said. “Did he do it for me?”

Abby smirked. “He knows I’ll go to as many as I can tolerate, but of course, since I knew you’d be here, I was more than willing. It’s the ones where I don’t know anyone that I struggle the most.”

“Spencer, my wife, Abby. You haven’t officially met.”

“So nice to meet you,” Abby said. “I’ve heard a bit about you from Charlotte, via Amanda, through Angel and Coy. And that sounds so high school-ish.”

“I get it,” he said, shaking her hand. “One of those weird small world things.”

“It seems to happen more than we realize,” Abby said.

“West. Good to see your face here. And your lovely wife. Are you going to introduce me to who else is with you?”