correct. After that, I need to pick up your dry cleaning, and then I’ll meet Gloria for a late lunch like I normally do.”
“Meet me instead.”
Surprise lifts my eyes to his. “I thought you had a meeting?”
His lips stretch into a practiced smile.
“I do. With a new investor. Harrison Nash is big money and not easily impressed. I thought having you along would make him warm up to me. I’m dying to bring him on.”
“What do you need me to do?”
Grasping my chin between his thumb and finger, he tilts my face higher, leaning down to place a chaste kiss on my lips.
“Sit there and look pretty. You do it so well.”
Ignoring how his comment rubs against every nerve inside me, I force another smile.
“Text me the details and I’ll be there.”
Releasing me, Grant straightens his body, his hands going to the knot of his blue tie to tug it into place.
“I knew I could count on you, Adeline.”
Green eyes meet mine. “I have to go. I’ll have Patricia send you the location and time.”
Patricia, his secretary. I’m not sure how I feel about my husband not having the time to send me the information himself.
I watch Grant walk out of our bedroom after grabbing his suit jacket to pull it on. It’s hard to name exactly what I’m feeling. Anger, maybe? Or doubt.
He sees me as a pretty face and a charming smile, a shiny trinket to be shown off and admired. I exist to make him look better, rather than doing anything for myself.
But still, if either of us has a reason to be angry, it’s him.
I haven’t told him about what happened in the mausoleum, and I never will. And every time I want to rage at something he says, or the way he sweeps me aside as nothing more than an accessory, I remember that I’m the one at fault in this marriage. That I betrayed him.
As promised, I spend the morning seeing to the details of the firm’s annual formal event. Everything has to be just right.
The event will cater to old investors and new as a show of power and wealth. It’s a social function, yes, but Grant explained the men would end up with cigars and cognac at some point, tossing money around while contracts are discussed. He needs them happy and impressed, relaxed and agreeable.
While he tends to business, it will be my job to ensure the wives, girlfriends and mistresses are entertained. It’s a bit of a problem for me. I’ve never made friends with women easily. I’m not just nervous about the event, I’m terrified.
I fear saying the wrong thing. Admitting to something that will embarrass Grant if it gets back to him through the rumor mills always present among the elite.
Thankfully, Gloria will be there to keep an eye on me, but she isn’t a true friend. More like a babysitter who will report back to Grant if I do something wrong.
The pressure is overwhelming.
“Was the menu to your liking, Mrs. Cabot?”
Startled back to the task at hand, I glance up at Derrick Lane, the head chef for the luxury hotel I’ve chosen as the venue. Kind brown eyes hold mine, his once dark hair now softened by grey. He wears his chef’s coat and a pair of black pants, ever the professional in a setting where perfection is expected.
“Yes, except there are no options for vegetarians on the menu. Could you add a fourth option for those that prefer to eat something that didn’t at one time have a face?”
Derrick flinches as if taking personal offense to the statement, and while I know it’s rude of me to make the comment, especially to a man who makes all forms of food an art to be devoured, I’m still clinging to my old ways.
Grant has a nasty habit of ordering my meals for me, most often involving a slab of something dead, but when I can find the chance to rebel, I take it.
Inclining his head, Derrick plucks the menu from my hands and asks, “Would a quinoa, avocado and sweet potato timbale do? I can also offer a potato cream with caramelized leek soup as first course.”
It’s a hefty amount of starch, but I trust his judgment. “That sounds delicious. Thank you.”
Another nod before he turns to walk off with his new assignment.
Relaxing into my seat, I survey the large ballroom where the event will be held. I spent the past few hours going over everything. Decorations, food,