Page 62 of Wine & Dine

Looking me in the eyes, he smiles, and says, “Dolores, I need to give a speech before dinner. I hope you like prime rib. That’s the main course.”

“Garrett,” I groan until his arm wraps around my waist, and he tugs me against him. He leans toward my ear, and whispers, “Have I told you how beautiful you look?”

“Oh my God, you’re complimenting me to avoid the subject.”

“I’m complimenting you because it’s true. Relax. Let’s have some wine.” Taking my hand, he leads me to a crowded bar where he knows many of the people, or at least those people know him. He shakes more hands than I can count and introduces me to so many I’ll never remember.

When we finally sit for dinner, Garrett is introduced. I’d like to say I paid attention to every word he spoke, but I’m too impressed by his public speaking to a room full of people to fully listen to his words. He’s calm, cool, and collected. The audience chuckles, and I miss the joke. He thanks the organization for their work with women, and then Ingrid Tintagel moves to stand next to him. She kisses him on the cheek and holds his arm a second to address the crowd.

“Your generosity this evening will keep doors open for women in need and provide them with much-needed opportunities to get back on their feet. I don’t need to remind you all of this night’s purpose, but I would like to honor Mr. Fox for, once again, being one of our top gift givers. Tonight’s donations from him were made in the name of his lovely date, Ms. Dolores Chance.” Ingrid scans the front row of round tables where we’ve been seated until her eyes fall in my direction. “Thank you for inspiring this man.”

The audience applauds as Candi walks up on the raised platform and holds up a giant check with five zeroes to display Garrett’s contribution. Cameras flash. People stand and clap. I remain seated, staring at the man I don’t know on the stage.

When Garrett returns to his seat, I lean over, cup his cheek, and kiss him sweetly. During the time it took him to return to me, I remind myself the money is for a good cause.

“I think I’m supposed to say thank you. That was very generous, though unnecessary to do it in my name.”

Garrett’s cheeks pinken. “Yeah, I didn’t know they were going to do that. I’m by no means the largest contributor to their fundraising efforts, but I think she did it because I was the speaker.”

“Your speech was wonderful.” Although I didn’t hear it. He beams with pride and reaches for his drink. He’s on his third one, and I realize for the first time he might have been anxious to speak to all these people. It makes me wish I had paid better attention to what he said, but I was too distracted by how good he looks and his commanding presence over the crowd.

Before dinner is served, I excuse myself for the restroom. Garrett offers to walk with me, but I need a moment. While I’m taking care of business, I hear women chattering outside the door, oblivious to the others within the restroom. It reminds me that I don’t have any girlfriends here. I hardly have any at home either. Occasionally, I went out with Mati and Cora Conrad, but the times were rare. I worked too much, and I was tired most late nights. Then there was Rusty.

I exit the fancy stall, which was more like a private toilet closet, then wash my hands and head for the lounge separating the sink area from the main door to the washroom.

“I heard he found her on the street. She’s a survivor of domestic abuse.” I don’t know why the statement stops me, but I step back and reach for another hand towel as if I’m drying my hands. I can’t quantify them as paper because they are too soft, but they are disposable.

“No, she’s some woman who was staying in his building. He set her up in Denton’s apartment. Funny that woman has the same last name,” a second woman states. Same last name as Denton? We’re siblings, you idiot, I want to interject.

“I didn’t think Denton had any family,” the first adds sadly, and I imagine her pouty little lips like she feels sorry for my younger brother. The famous musician certainly didn’t mention his family in interviews, and now I understand. “The last time I was at Garrett’s, he told me Denton had gone home because his mother died.”

My breath catches, processing the timing of such a statement.

“She’s a special project for him,” the second speaks again. “He’s always been like that.”

“That’s not true, honey,” the first pipes in. “I wasn’t a project of his.”

They both giggle. “No, he’s been a project of yours.”

My brow pinches, and I stare at myself in the mirror. A young blonde woman looks at her reflection and applies a new layer of lipstick to lips which don’t need more. She smiles softly at me through the glass as the women continue.

“Well, I’m sure once whoever she is is gone, he’ll come back to me. He always does. He never holds on to them for very long. You know how he is. Let’s get a drink.”

Silence falls after this statement, and I meet the eyes of the woman three sinks down again. We both hear the roar of the party as if a door opens and then the silencing of the noise after the door closes.

“That’s Alicia Graystone. I’m told she’s wanted to hook her claws into Garrett for years. She’s jaded and bitter because he’s ‘friend-zoned’ her.” The woman air quotes into the reflection. “The other woman is Hunny Cumerford. They think they know everyone, but they don’t. And they’re both social climbers.”

She slips her lipstick back in her clutch and comes closer to me.

“Denton Chance. Are you really his sister?”

“I am.” My brows pinch surprised she’s making a connection.

“I’m Ivy Everly. Denton played in the band with my mother, Kit Carrigan.” She cocks her hip and eyes me a moment. “They were cousins, which means…”

“Oh my God.” I stare at the young woman before me. My best guess is she’s under thirty, and the resemblance becomes clear. “I’m your cousin. Second cousins as you’re my cousin’s daughter.”

The thin woman steps forward and reaches out to hug me. I’m not a random hugger, so the connection throws me off, but after hearing those women speak about me, her comfort and the sense she’s family make me feel better. Tears well in my eyes for some reason.

“Is Tommy here?” Tommy and I spoke at my mother’s funeral, catching up on old times, and seeing him tonight might settle my nerves even more. A familiar face would be nice in this crowd. My heart pumps with the possibility as I pull back, keeping my hands on her shoulders. I can’t seem to let her go now that she’s hugged me. She’s so beautiful and holding her seems to ground me at the moment.

“He’s not. But he’ll be tickled I met you. How long have you been in town? Have you seen him since you’ve been in California? We need to have you come to dinner.”

“I’ve actually been here a few weeks, but I need to get back home before Christmas.” It’s the first time I’ve said such a thing, and I realize in saying it that it’s true. I need to go home by the holiday. Guilt riddles me that I hadn’t called my cousin in these two months. We weren’t particularly close as adults, but he’s still family. “I’m sorry I haven’t called him.” My voice lowers. Ivy’s cool hands have remained on my lace-covered arms, keeping us tethered together.

“No worries, but maybe before you go home,” she suggests. “I’d love to get to know more about you.” The words are spoken genuinely, and I smile despite how my insides feel. “May I introduce you to my husband?”

I nod and follow Ivy’s lead out of the bathroom.