Love on Lexington Avenue - Lauren Layne Page 0,40

razors—”

“You’re wearing a tux,” she interrupted.

Audrey gave a light laugh. “Claire. You sound angry about it.”

“No,” Claire said quickly, even as she registered that she did sound irrationally mad. “I’m surprised, is all.”

“You expected me to be here in overalls?”

“I didn’t expect you to be here at all,” she said, no longer caring that her tone was a little testy. They spent five days a week together, and he hadn’t bothered to mention that he was attending this? As a guest of honor, no less?

Granted, she hadn’t mentioned that she was attending, either, but hers was a last-minute decision when Audrey had called her yesterday afternoon and begged.

Instead of explaining himself, he deliberately turned away from Claire and faced Audrey and Naomi. “You ladies look lovely.”

Claire scowled and took a sip of her champagne. Sure. Now he has pretty manners.

She was now foolishly wishing she’d spent a little more time on her appearance. Claire used to love events like this, had loved the pampering process, selecting a new gown, getting her hair done. Brayden had often surprised her beforehand with flowers, and she’d felt like a princess. They’d been the magical types of nights where she’d wanted to pinch herself, thinking, Is this my real life?

But tonight’s prep hadn’t been like that. Audrey had insisted Claire come over to get ready, so they “could pretend it was like prom.” Claire had readily agreed. She adored Audrey, and they’d had fun sipping martinis and debating Audrey’s shoe options.

But Claire herself had phoned it in. She’d gone with the first gown she’d pulled out of the closet, a dark navy dress that didn’t have much going for it other than it was reasonably comfortable as far as formal wear went. Same went for the shoes. Since nobody could see them beneath the gown anyway, she’d opted for silver heels that were completely forgettable compared to Audrey’s sexy T-strap sandals and Naomi’s new SJPs.

She regretted now not wearing the daring pink dress that she’d bought on a whim a couple of months before Brayden’s death but hadn’t gotten around to wearing because it hadn’t seemed widow appropriate. Not that she’d had many opportunities. She’d turned down nearly every invitation in the past year, and there hadn’t been many.

Even now, she couldn’t escape the sense that hardly anyone noticed her, and those who did were vaguely pitying. At least one person noticed her though. A tall man appeared at her side, his hand touching lightly on her back as he kissed her cheek. “Claire, love, you look ravishing.”

She rolled her eyes at Clarke West’s over-the-top compliment, even though it did lift her spirts slightly. It didn’t hurt that the man was the best-looking guy Claire had ever seen, and that included the entire cast of Ocean’s Eleven.

Over six feet tall, with dark hair and friendly gold eyes that always promised an inside joke in the making, Clarke West would be downright intimidating if he wasn’t so nice. His charm was so convincing, his kindness so genuine, it was easy to forget that he was the biggest player in the city.

“Where’s your date?” Claire asked him.

Clarke blinked, looking confused. “My date? What— Ahhh,” he said after a quick glance toward Audrey. “Um, ladies’ room.”

Claire narrowed her eyes. “What’s her name?”

“Ruth,” he said at the same time Audrey blurted out, “Arabella.”

“Ruth?” Audrey said, turning on him outraged. “I knew you weren’t listening when we went over the plan.”

“Well, how was I supposed to remember your suggested name of Aquafina?” Clarke protested.

“Arabella!” Audrey looked ready to strangle him.

Claire made a scolding noise as she realized her friend had lied about needing a plus-one. “Audrey, Audrey, Audrey.”

“Okay, in my defense, we have a pact,” Audrey said. “You said . . .” She looked at the group and caught herself. “I was trying to help. With your mission.”

“Ah, yes,” Scott said. “That mission.”

“You. Shut up,” Claire grumbled, earning her a surprised grin from Clarke.

“We’ve already got some very promising prospects,” Naomi said.

“You were in on this, too?”

Naomi didn’t look fazed by Claire’s outrage. “It’s like Audrey said. We have a pact. We take care of each other. And each other’s needs.”

“This is fascinating,” Clarke said. “Please continue.”

Claire covered her face with her hand. “I said I wanted your guys’ help, not this.”

“Well, without our help, you found yourself with guys who ended up licking your face!” Audrey said.

“Never mind,” Clarke muttered. “Please stop.”

Audrey whirled toward Scott with an accusing finger. “I blame you.”

“I do, too, a little bit.”

Claire looked