Shock - Marie Johnston Page 0,65

driving to San Francisco and renting a tux?”

Chapter 18

Ford

People in formal attire mill around us, going in and out of a tall set of double doors. On the other side, a giant ballroom teems with laughter and soft classical music. Everything about this place screams money and prestige, from the red uniforms the doormen are wearing to the coattails on the tuxes the cocktail servers are wearing.

I adjust my tie and Lia sends me a bemused glance.

“It’s tight,” I mutter.

“I’m sorry you can’t leave the first two buttons open like your work polo,” she teases.

Her comment eases my tension only slightly. “Was this how you felt when you came to the cookout?”

“Not having to wear a tux made it a little easier.”

“I didn’t think it’d matter.” I have a case of the nerves like I’ve never had before.

When I met her parents before, I made a point of not impressing them. I don’t want to alienate them tonight. Lia and I are a real thing. I support her, I always will, but no matter what happened between her and her parents before, she still loves them.

She doesn’t have to say it, but she still wants their approval.

And because of that, I’ll be on my best behavior.

It helps that this trip to San Francisco is a temporary reprieve from custody worries. I haven’t gotten more than one weekend with Jayden in the last month. I don’t know what’s going on with Cass but she evades all my questions and requests.

How could redecorating one bedroom cause that?

I shove it out of my mind. This night is for Lia. Who knows when I’ll ever be in a tux again, and I want to enjoy the way she looks in her shimmering dark red dress. She’s piled her hair on her head in a simple but artful style that took her all of fifteen minutes.

“Practice” was all she said when she left the bathroom of the hotel and my jaw hit the floor. Her long, graceful neck is bare and so are the shoulders that first caught my eye in the country club. The dress she found loves her curves as much as I do, and the slit on the side is going to gnaw at my sanity all evening.

I hold my arm out. She smirks but hooks her hand around my elbow and I lead her inside.

We’re right on time. I made sure of it. There’s no devil-may-care Ford tonight.

It’s not hard to guess where her parents are. A large group of people are clustered in the center of the room.

I’m striding toward it, thinking of proper ways to break through the throng of people to get Lia to her parents, when a familiar voice comes from our left.

“Aurelia.”

I would’ve ignored Samuel, he’s not the reason we’re here, but Lia’s grip on my elbow tightens, slowing me down.

“Samuel, hello.” She manages to sound cool, collected.

His jaw tightens. “Ford, right?”

“Nice to see you again.” I extend my hand. My willingness to impress doesn’t extend to him, but I’ll take Lia’s cues and be polite.

He shakes it, then turns back to Lia. “Senator Wescott said you might make it. How was the trip?”

“Ford drove, so it was easy for me. We just arrived so I have yet to greet them.”

Samuel glances over his shoulder, where I have yet to spot Elaine and Gerald Wescott. “The party reps are here, vying for her attention.”

“I know how it goes, and I’m glad I don’t have to deal with it any more. If you’ll excuse us.”

I take that as my cue to steer us away from her ex, but as we start he reaches a hand out.

“Wait, Aurelia. Did you get my—” His eyes flick to mine. “Mind if I talk to her privately?”

Lia shoots me a questioning look. She has unfinished business with the man and I hope she takes this moment to tie off a loose, dangly end. But that’s not my decision. If she wants a word with him, so be it.

I incline my head. “Want something to drink?”

Samuel answers instead. “Refreshments are on the far end, but there are servers with trays of the Moscato she likes.”

I arch a brow. I didn’t come here to piss on his territory.

Instead, I ask Lia directly. “What would you like to drink?”

Lia bites her lower lip, like she’s trying not to grin. “Thanks for asking. Water is fine for now.”

I don’t bother giving Samuel a dirty look, leaving to get what my woman says she wants.

I dodge