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“Riley, Ben! Have you met Olivia Chadwick-Smythe? Ben, she’s from London!”

“Hi.” Riley and Ben spoke at the same time. No one attempted to shake hands as Olivia’s were occupied with a bulging white envelope and a roll of raffle tickets.

“Erika thinks all Londoners know each other.” Olivia’s posh British accent made Riley stand up straighter. “In lieu of Erika’s no-engagement-gifts policy, we’re doing a fifty-fifty draw. It’s thirty tickets for fifty dollars or a hundred for a hundred. End of night, half the money raised goes to the winner, the other half to my theater charity for at-risk youth in the Bronx.” Her long eyelashes blinked expectantly.

“Um…” Riley grimaced at Erika. You know I would if I could…

Ben squinted at her discomfort. “Oh, bugger…” His accent was distinctively more plummy sounding. He dug dramatically in his suit jacket pocket, smiling at Olivia. “I was running quite late and managed to forget my wallet.” His hand produced a crumpled five-dollar bill. “Best I can do, unfortunately, love.”

Accepting the ratty bill, Olivia fought a frown. “Every little bit helps.” She exhaled heavily, tore off a single ticket and slapped it in Ben’s hand, turning on her heel with barely a “Cheers.”

“Good luck!” Erika blew a kiss and followed Olivia to the next table.

“Thanks for bailing me out.” Riley laughed. “But what the fuck was that voice?”

“Shut up! I can do posh!” Ben stuffed the ticket in his pocket. “I don’t remember Her Majesty from the bachelorette.”

“No, she wasn’t there. I think Eri added her to her social circle recently.”

Another drink later, Riley pointed out on-air TV personalities and several socialites, their enviable fashion show making her question her choice of outfit. At least Ben looks lovely in his suit. She stared down at her boots and tights, feeling like her lack of wealth and trendiness made her stand out. It’s so surreal. This party, the booze…how much of Mom’s treatments and bills could be covered by all this?

“I feel…guilty.” Riley squeezed her glass. “Drinking expensive cocktails when I can’t pay my loans, can’t help out Mom.”

Ben tossed back the dregs of his second pint. “That’s why you should enjoy all this. You don’t take it for granted, not like some of these spoilt brats.” He eyed a parade of servers snaking through the party with trays of bite-sized indulgences. “I didn’t eat today, did you?”

She shook her head. “I have ten bucks ’til pay day. I’m rationing cereal.”

His warm hand wrapped around hers. “Not anymore, my lady.” He flagged down passing waiters, making sure Riley sampled every option.

“Pigs ’n’ blankets, pretzel bites—mac ’n’ cheese cupcakes?” Ben’s eyes lit up. “How does that work?”

He didn’t stop hijacking appetizers until Riley groaned with satisfaction. She gave high praise to the Buffalo chicken lollipops while Ben broke away from his pretzel obsession to proclaim the BLT lobster rolls his favorite. “I’ve never had lobster before. It’s lush!” A spot of bacon and tomato jam rode the corner of his boyish grin.

He doesn’t try to be adorable—he just is. “You’re got a little…” Riley motioned with her finger, and Ben’s tongue licked his lip with a soft flick.

Lucky lip. Riley’s gaze stuck, her memory rewinding to Ben’s earlier surprise strip in Hunter’s apartment, his tight backside, the impressive bulge stretching the thin layer of cotton… Heat spread up her neck to her cheeks. Ben’s obviously a show-er, not a gr—

His eyebrows creased. “Is it still there? You’re staring.”

“Oh, no, you’re good.” Looking away, she hid behind her hair and scrunched her eyes. SO good! Jeez, stop torturing yourself! She inhaled a deep breath and exhaled into a smile, her glance skating across a silver table topped with flickering candles, half-drunk cocktails, and a guy leaning on the far edge, staring. Josh. A shiver crept up her spine. Act natural. She turned back to Ben. “Let’s head to the roof deck.”

“Sure.” He laid his hand on her lower back, staying close and guiding her through the noisy crush.

“I don’t think we’ve met.”

The loud voice turned Ben’s head.

Riley’s jaw stiffened. Great. She painted on a breezy smile and glanced back. “Josh, hi.”

His wall of a body weaved. “You act fast.” Boozy breath lingered between them.

And he’s drunk. Riley’s eyes flirted with the ceiling. “Josh, it’s not like that.”

“Seriously, mate, we’re friends.” Ben shifted closer to Riley. “Calm down.”

“Great.” Josh snorted. “He’s Australian?”

“Josh, Ben. Ben, Josh.” Riley shook her head. “I’m here to support Erika and Scott, not to rub your nose in a new relationship. Speaking of which…where’s your date?”