Hawk & the Lady - Elizabeth Stevens Page 0,57

“Okay. See you in a bit.”

I patted her arm and started weaving my way through the crowd. Which was when I ran right into the hard chest of Nico Daniels. He was a tall, lanky guy at the best of times, but his suit seemed to accentuate it. However, it did it in a way that wasn’t off-putting. He still looked polished and elegant.

“Nico,” I stammered.

“Leah.” His flat tone told me just how displeased he was to see me.

I couldn’t say I totally blamed him, but neither did I think this was all on me. Patrick had no doubt had very few nice things to say about me since we’d parted ways, but it wasn’t like he’d been faultless at the end. He’d made it very clear that he was just playing a part this whole time and, forgive me if I was wrong, but I felt that getting a girl to fall in love you with no intentions to follow through on it wasn’t what Amber would call chivalrous behaviour.

“Nico.” I nodded awkwardly. “Nice to see you.”

He shrugged and gave a small tug on his collar. “Be better without this fucking monkey suit,” he said quietly, as though he didn’t want anyone around us hearing.

“What?”

His gaze darted around the room as though he expected any number of dangers to be lurking. “Fucking monkey suit. Chaos knows how much I hate dressing up, but the fucker made me do it anyway.”

I blinked, thinking maybe his mood had nothing to do with me and Patrick at all. “You’re not angry with me?”

His eyes shot back to me and he looked me over from behind his glasses. “Why would I be angry with you?” he asked.

“Well, Patrick and me…”

Understanding dawned in Nico’s eyes. “Oh, right. Yeah, I guess that makes it a bit weird or whatever.” He shrugged again. “But not really my business.”

I cleared my throat, not believing I was about to ask him anything. “Did he… Did he say anything?”

“Grace Grayson boys aren’t really known for their impressive lexicon,” he said. “Idiot did throw a chair across the foyer and smashed his phone, though.” He huffed something that might have passed for a laugh for him. “Kinda funny.”

“He did?”

Nico nodded. “Yep.”

That had to mean something, surely? But I felt like asking Nico any more about it was a bad idea. Not just because he looked like he was ready to bolt at the first opportunity but because I also didn’t want to seem desperate if Patrick had had another reason to throw stuff.

“What… Uh,” I started. “What are you doing here?”

“Chaos sent me to…” He paused as something clearly caught his eye. I followed his gaze and saw Mrs Fortescue making her regal way towards us. “And she shall appear,” he muttered quietly.

“Mrs Fortescue.” I smiled at her as she stopped by us and looped her arm with Nico’s.

“Leah. Lovely to see you. Might I say, you look ravishing. Doesn’t she look gorgeous?” She nudged Nico who nodded.

“Yes. She does. But I’m not going home with her,” he replied.

Mrs Fortescue smiled. “Wonderful. How have you been?” she asked me.

I nodded. “Fine. I’ve been fine.”

“Good for you,” she said approvingly. “It does you a credit to hold your head high and show these gossiping scoundrels you will not lower yourself to their level.”

Nico made a noise that could almost be considered an agreement, but then he looked like he regretted it.

“Nicholas, dear?” Mrs Fortescue said, concern in her voice.

“Mrs Fortescue?”

“Would a drink help with your face at all?”

He looked at her like he wasn’t sure if he loved or hated her sass. “I assure you, my face is a lost cause.”

Mrs Fortescue clucked her tongue. “Come, now. It’s really not that bad.” She shared a cheeky look with me.

“Thank you, Mrs Fortescue,” he said resignedly. “You know what? Maybe a drink would help. Can I get either of you anything?”

“No, thanks, Nico.” I shook my head. I did want a drink, but I could also go and get it myself in a moment.

“I’m fine for now, thank you,” Mrs Fortescue said. “You try to enjoy yourself.”

He took a deep breath and took off muttering under his breath. I’d expected Mrs Fortescue to open up on a tirade about how god-awful the young man was, but she was too busy staring after him fondly.

“You know, he’s no Patrick, but I’m very fond of young Nico,” she said finally. “He does give me such a giggle with his constant moroseness.”

I nodded, not really