Page 35 of Miss Treated

I hated keeping this secret from him, especially since he seemed genuinely interested in the process and wanted to help out. I told myself this was another reason not to go out with him. Dating would only make it harder for me to retain the confidentiality I’d promised Gerard Chambers.

After documenting the billing process, I would next send samples out to each of the different sections of accounting, but in the meantime I’d shift my focus to two areas I thought might yield results. Client refunds and vendor payments both provided potential for fraud. Although petty cash was often fraught with risk, the amounts were small potatoes compared to those two other areas.

Later that night, I went downstairs to the hotel lobby to meet Dominic for the charity gala Chambers Tech was sponsoring.

“Kelsey?” came his voice from behind me.

I turned to see him dressed in an exquisitely tailored tuxedo. Probably the same one from his date last Friday.

“You look, uh, you look lovely. I like your hair down.”

His stumble over the compliment was better than a practiced line. It sounded as if he meant it. “Thank you.”

I took his offered arm and walked with him into the large ballroom which was tastefully decorated and well attended with hundreds of people. There was something comforting about the anonymity of a crowd. I’d chosen the simple black cocktail dress instead of the off-the-shoulder with the silver. Consequently, I was dressed the same as half the women there. What could I say? The little black dress was a Manhattan staple. And I was a creature of habit when it came to dressing conservatively.

But one habit I had broken was wearing my hair up all the time. Joel hated it when I wore it long down my back. It was my little fuck you to all of his criticism over the years.

“Ready for some introductions? There are a few people from the foundation my parents asked me to greet.”

Oh, boy. Not even a little. “Sure.”

He grinned. “Liar. How about we start with a tour of the bar? Want a glass of something?”

“Red wine would be lovely.” Having a glass to hold and sip made working the room more comfortable. But I noticed he chose water.

As an introvert, I struggled to be social, but Dominic was clearly a natural. He was comfortable, sincere, and most of all, charming. It didn’t take long before the women were swarming. One touched his arm while laughing at something funny he’d said. Another suggested they get together later so she could show him something she knew he’d love.

Jealousy was a weird emotion. I had no claim to Dominic, yet here I was hating the attention he was getting. But I did notice he wasn’t encouraging it.

Instead he leaned down and said, “Save me and drag me out to the dance floor, please.”

“Not a chance,” I returned in a whisper.

“Not a chance you won’t grant me a dance?”

I bit my cheek to keep from laughing at the silly rhyme. “I think the woman in red might want a dance. She might also want a chance to get in your pants.”

He barked out a laugh, causing all heads to turn toward us and me to turn beet red. Not to be outdone, he whispered, “Nope. I’m taking a stance. I will not spare a glance or share a dance with the woman with some serious implants.”

My wine went down the wrong way and I choked.

His dimples flashed.

“Impressive.”

Dominic made it easy to forget there were others in the room. But our duties were far from over, so we turned toward fulfilling them by meeting his parents’ associates.

After dinner, I excused myself for the ladies’ room. The time had gone by quickly. Normally I found myself uncomfortable at events like this, but being here with Dominic had almost made it—dare I say?—fun. It seemed we were developing a friendship. I shook my head as I washed my hands. One did not think of how their friend looked naked.

As I returned to the party, my gaze landed on a familiar face over by the bar. My stomach flipped.

Fuck. What was my ex-fiancé doing here?

There was no way this was a coincidence.

Panic seized my throat. I needed to get out of here. Needed to ensure Joel didn’t see me. I wasn’t ready to speak to him. Wasn’t prepared.

Dominic came up with a smile. “Whew, this party took a sharp left turn when the silver-haired lady over in the red patted me on the ass.”