the front gates of the third largest property in Vita, with mine and Mila’s being the two most substantial in size.
A red carpet has been laid out, leading up the front steps, through the door, and into the foyer.
The first difference I notice is the waiters lingering about, ready to serve the attendees champagne instead of waitresses. I always suspected Alexander hired women for his events so he could have his pick once the guests left. I wouldn’t put it past Mila to be the one who made the change.
I grab a flute of champagne and pass it to Maria, then grab one for myself.
“I’m allowed to drink, then?” she mutters under her breath, taking me aback. Apparently, her attitude isn’t as sickly sweet as she’d previously let on.
“Excuse me?”
Her head snaps up to look at me. “N-Nothing.”
“Oh. I thought you said something.”
I smirk. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe she won’t be like all the others.
I act my part and commit to small talk with the owner of the bank and his wife. Maria does her part as well, only speaking when spoken to by the chief of police after he compliments her. I’m learning real quick that she knows when to act—a skill that keeps you alive in Vita.
I’ve yet to see Mila or Alexander by the time dinner is called. We file into the dining room where a table that seats at least fifty people is laid out with the finest china and crystal. Soft candlelight, along with a grand chandelier, casts an orange glow over the room. Maria keeps her arm linked through mine as we walk the length of the table, looking for our name cards. My gut tightens the farther up we go, dreading the thought of being close to the happy fucking couple.
Just as I suspected, I’m seated next to Alexander at the head of the table, opposite of Mila. Setting my drink down, I pull out the chair next to mine for Maria, who offers me a small smile as she takes a seat.
I hate manners; they’re time consuming and pointless. But it’s one of the things my mother ingrained into me, and I’ll be damned if my public appearance isn’t up to snuff in the eyes of everyone always watching what I do.
“I must say, I didn’t see this happening. Not after the failed attempt her father made to marry her off to the previous mayor.”
Anthony Dupree, the husband of the wealthy Mrs. Dupree, is talking across the table to the guy sitting beside Maria. There was a time I was set to be married to his daughter, but I don’t hear him bringing up that failed attempt.
“I heard she asked him,” the man relays.
“Well, I heard they’ve been seeing each other for a while, hence her making the first move for peace at the ball last week.”
A week. Is that how long it’s been since I held her in my arms?
“I heard it’s fucking rude to gossip when you can simply ask them for the answers when they finally decide to grace us with their presence.”
All eyes swing my way, but they all shut up as I drain the rest of my champagne.
A waiter is quick to refill my glass, but I cover it with my hand, requesting instead,
“Whiskey, neat.”
If I’m going to make it through this evening without lashing out or wrapping my hands around someone’s neck, I’m going to need something stiffer than pansy-ass champagne.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mayor Alexander Salvatore and Ms. Jamila Camarco.”
At the end of the table, the butler stands in his pristine uniform with his hands clasped behind his back.
Everyone stands as if the Queen of England is walking into the room, but I remain in my seat, accepting the whiskey placed in front of me.
As guests sit once more, I have a clear view of the happy couple walking toward the table. The first thing that catches my eye is the enormous diamond resting on her slender finger. I’m starting to think that not even the whiskey is going to get me through the evening.
Arm in arm, looking fake as shit, Alexander releases her, making a show of pulling out her chair and kissing her cheek. But my attention is on the telltale sign of how she really feels about his lips on her.
Maybe I got it wrong and the earlier gossip is true. She hasn’t been my Mila for a long time, and as much as I don’t want anyone else to