she was whisked inside to a private room.
The elegant French restaurant was known for its cutting-edge menu, elegant décor, and exorbitant prices. Personally, she preferred her food presented in larger portions, but she was already impressed with the long banquet table decorated with snowy white china, sparkling crystal, and low bowls of cream-colored flowers floating in water. The floor to ceiling windows overlooked the gardens, where couples were already mingling, strolling with drinks in hand.
Drew took her hand. His grip was warm and firm. “I can’t wait to show you off,” he said with a sexy wink, leading her to the terrace.
Once again, she wondered why it seemed she was always referenced as an object to brag about. Of course, he probably meant it as a compliment, but her looks were the thing she cared the least about, even as someone in the public eye. Her most cherished moments were spent in jeans and T-shirt with dirty sneakers, covered in dog hair. Drew definitely preferred the spotlight of well-attended functions and loved to share stories of who he met when he was out, along with the most popular new venues in the city.
Not that there was anything wrong with being social. It was a good thing.
She put her smile to full-power and spent the next hour sipping wine and getting to know the roughly dozen of his staff. They were all men, which surprised her. Drew seemed to respect women, and she’d expected more females in high-powered positions. The more time she spent chatting, the more she realized how different the men’s companions were.
Chloe was used to cliques in high society, so when she’d found her tribe with animal rescue, it was as if she could finally relax into being herself. But the women’s judging gazes on her dress, her shoes, her bag, and the pointless questions about where she lived and what it was like to be the governor’s daughter left her cold. No one held a job, and they seemed to be most concerned with how they looked to one another, and especially to their husbands or lovers. They spoke of tennis and golf, places to lunch, names of popular stylists and home designers, and skimmed the surface of any true conversation.
By the time they sat down to dinner, Drew seemed to be holding court. They laughed at his jokes, complimented him on the last deal he’d closed, and basically kissed his ass. Chloe felt as if she was stuck at a political dinner except occasionally her father would shoot her a suffering, sorry look and make her laugh. They’d agreed there had always been too many large egos in politics. Her dad taught her real power was not in leading but by serving because that was where the real work was done. It was obvious at this table Drew was king and enjoyed ruling his team.
“Chloe, I find it amazing you’re such a crusader. It’s so refreshing,” Emma gushed to her right, platinum blonde hair pulled high on top of her head in a model-like pony. The style emphasized the smooth skin, wrinkle-free, pulled tight over her face. “I had to quit so many of my charities once Brett got promoted. There was so much to do all the time, and of course, now we’re trying to get pregnant so I’ll be super busy.”
Chloe tilted her head. “Well, it’s my actual job I get paid for,” she said, trying not to roll her eyes. “I’m not volunteering at a charity, but thank God for all our volunteers or we’d never be able to do the work needed.”
Drew grinned from the head of the table, shooting Chloe a look of adoration. “My girlfriend wants to save the world, one animal at a time. She’s going to do big things for the Foundation one day.”
Chloe tried not to wince at the term. They’d never discussed dating exclusively and she didn’t feel comfortable with being called his girlfriend. But she couldn’t call him out here. “That’s right, you give a lot to those rescue places, don’t you?” Brett asked. “I had a dog when I was growing up. German shepherd. One of the smartest breeds—she was my best friend.”
The crowd sighed and made little sounds of approval. “Advocates for Animals does much more than rescue. We’re currently in a civil action suit trying to shut down a hoarding situation. We get involved in closing down puppy mills, pit bull fighting rings, and dozens of other causes that need attention.”
Drew nodded.