things, but from what I’ve heard, it's a common occurrence for it just to be females. At least you know it's not your less than sparkling personality that stopped you from getting an invite,” she informs a scowling Graham.
We enter the main room where tonight's event is taking place and see it's almost filled to capacity with men dressed in tuxes like mine and women hanging off their arms dressed in all their finery.
“How the other half lives,” Linda mutters from beside me.
“You are the other half now, Laura, better get used to it. Ah, George, long time no see,” Graham announces before walking over to a portly man with a bad comb-over.
“He’s lucky to have you,” Linda tells me, watching as Graham says something to George that makes the man frown.
“What makes you say that?”
“Because without you, that man wouldn't have a single friend,” she answers.
I throw my head back and laugh, drawing the attention of the people around us, which unfortunately includes Dawn.
“What the fuck?” I spit out as she looks over at me and smiles seductively before scowling at Linda on my arm.
“Who’s that?” Linda questions, following my gaze.
“That would be Dawn. My father's ex-wife and the woman that accosted me in the elevator.”
“Ah, she’s pretty in a blow-up sex doll kind of way,” she teases, making me snort.
She’s not wrong, especially as Dawn is standing there with her red painted lips open in a shocked expression, likely at seeing me here with a date. Wearing red stilettos and a short sequined red dress that is so tight I doubt she can breathe in it, she manages to make Skittle, in all her tattooed glory, look demure.
“She’s really working the scarlet woman theme, and judging from the look on her face, I’m pretty sure she’s attempting to make me disappear with the power of her mind. It takes a lot of skill to earn that much hatred from someone I’ve never laid eyes on before. Quick, let's give her something to really piss her off,” Linda suggests a second before she grips the front of my shirt and tugs me down for a kiss.
As tends to happen when my lips are on hers, I lose all sense of decorum, pulling her hard against my chest, swallowing down her gasp as my tongue slides into her mouth. I don't care who’s here, this woman owns me and if she wants a kiss, then that's what she’ll get.
“I can’t leave you guys alone for a second,” Graham's amused voice comments, making Linda pull back.
“Don’t be jealous, asshat. I’m sure Asher still loves you very much,” she teases him.
“I don't remember you being such a smartass,” he complains.
“Dude, you didn’t even remember my name. I don't know why this surprises you.”
“Don’t take it personally. Secretaries are a dime a dozen.” He waves his hand dismissively.
“And yet this lowly secretary is married to your best friend. Karma sure has a wicked sense of humor.”
“Remember the rule about no bloodshed in public?” I remind them with an amused grin.
Linda pouts. “Fine.”
“Let's find our seats,” I prompt and take Linda’s hand, tugging her over to the circular tables at the far side of the room.
Each table has a large pink and white floral centerpiece circled by little pink name cards embossed with a name next to the fine china plates and long stem wine glasses.
Finding my name, I pull out the chair beside it with Dawn’s name and swipe up the little card that I have no doubt she put there, and walk over to the table farthest from ours and swap it for a plus one card. Graham sits on the opposite side of Linda, laughing at my actions, but I don’t miss the look of relief on Linda’s face or the gratitude in her smile.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I lean over until my lips are against the shell of her ear, smiling when she shivers. “Don’t you know, Skittle? I’d do anything for you.”
Twenty-Nine
Linda
I wash my hands before dabbing at my lipstick where it is a little smeared, thanks to Asher and his insistent lips. I touch up my face, taking in the flush of my cheeks and the sparkle in my eye and smile happily. Happy with the person staring back at me, happy with the person who has made me feel this way.
It has been an evening filled with new faces and forgettable names, but I played the dutiful wife knowing how important it was to Asher and found that