Bachelor Swap - Lacey Black Page 0,70

behind my champagne glass.

“Matthew, I think I just saw your company’s name in the business section of the New York Times,” Frank says, pulling him and Charlie into a conversation about finance and business deals.

I turn my attention to the ladies, tuning out to the gentlemen’s talk of shop.

“My word, that man looks just as good in a tux as he does in jeans and boots,” Debbie whispers so no one hears.

“Agreed,” Edith chimes in, tipping her glass toward me in salute.

“Well, if you think he looks good now, you should see him cuddling a puppy,” I add, remembering how he looked with Hattie on his lap.

“Aww,” they both coo at the same time.

The three of us chat for a few more minutes and watch as donors mill around. Everyone seems to be having a good time. What’s even better, they seem to be hanging around the auction tables and dropping bids on the items listed. The more time they spend over at those tables, the bigger paycheck the shelter will receive at the end of the night.

When the dinner announcement is called, we all start to head toward our table. Our group is positioned near the front where the band will play. Immediately following dinner, Edith will give a welcome speech and explain why donations are so vital to the organization. The slideshow has been playing along one wall, and it’s going to be heartwarming to see both the pets we still have to adopt, as well as photographs of the ones who’ve been adopted by their forever families.

“This is amazing,” Matthew whispers in my ear, as we settle into our seats and squeezes my hand beneath the table.

“Thank you,” I reply.

Once everyone is seated, waiters start to deliver food to the tables. Salad is the first to arrive, immediately followed by a creamy wild rice soup. Just as my bowl is being swept away to make room for the entrée plate, I feel a presence behind me. Turning, I immediately smile and jump up. “Daddy.”

“Hi, princess,” he responds, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into a tight hug. When he pulls back and takes me in, he adds with a soft smile, “You look lovely.”

“Thanks,” I reply, blushing slightly at my father’s compliment. “Daddy, I’d like to introduce you to my date. This is Matthew Wilder.”

Matthew quickly turns around and stands, but as he reaches out to shake my dad’s hand, the color drains from his face.

“Matthew, what a pleasant surprise. I didn’t realize you were dating my daughter,” my father says, taking Matthew’s hand and giving it a friendly pump.

“Jerald, how are you?” he replies, glancing from Dad to me, a look of confusion on his handsome face.

“Very well. It’s a wonderful evening, isn’t it?” my dad asks, holding Matthew’s gaze.

“It is,” Matthew answers, clearing his throat and looking my way. “Kyla did an amazing job on the fundraiser. I’m proud to escort her tonight.”

There’s a weird tension radiating from him, one that has me looking between the two men. “Do you two know each other?” I find myself asking to no one in particular.

“We’ve met, yes,” Matthew quickly replies.

Before either can elaborate, entrees are delivered to our table, filling the room with delicious scents.

“I’ll let you two enjoy your dinner. We’ll catch up a little later,” Dad says, offering me a tense smile before leaning in and kissing my cheek. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, Daddy. See you shortly,” I reply, watching him step back and head toward the table he purchased. I instantly spy familiar faces and wave hello to my father’s most trusted employees.

I feel Matthew’s hand press against my lower back, guiding me back to our table. He’s silent as we take our seats, his hands instantly starting to cut into his food. I grab my knife and fork and slice into my filet, but my mind is still trying to wrap around the fact that Matthew and my father know each other. I mean, it’s a huge business world, but it still seems odd that neither had mentioned it.

Then again, I don’t know that I’ve ever really used Matthew’s last name when we discussed the man I’ve been seeing. So, while it seems odd, I guess it’s not unheard of. It’s Boston, after all. My father is well known, as is Matthew. They surely run in the same circles, both in business and quite possibly socially, since both often intertwine.

“So, you know my father,” I state, taking a small bite of my