out the first time we met.”
We clinked glasses, and after that, we separated. They mingled with the crowd, and I decided to check on Josie. I took stock of the new guest arrivals on my way toward one of the corridors that Sasha said led to a quiet back room.
To my intense distaste, Lilian was also a guest tonight. She was one of the last ones to arrive and only smirked at me without even saying hello. Whatever, it wasn’t like I planned to have a conversation with her at all. I hadn’t seen her since Lars’s birthday, and I wasn’t interested in anything she had to say.
She was annoyingly attractive though. Her blonde hair was slicked back with gel, but it made her look sophisticated, not ridiculous. She was wearing a red suit. The jacket had a deep V-line, and it was obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra.
I stepped outside, into one of the corridors, dialing Josie’s number. She’d been so stressed out today, and I felt guilty that I hadn’t been able to drop by and lighten up her evening. I held the phone to my ear, hoping she’d pick up this time.
She answered after a few rings.
“Sis, all is good here. Focus on your fancy party,” she said.
“Hello to you too. Are you sure you’re okay? You were all stressed out today.”
“I know, but Tess and Skye dropped by with dinner and some perspective, and it’s all better. Thanks for the advice.”
“Oh, great!” I was relieved but still feeling a little guilty. And a bit jealous that a girly evening was happening without me there. “Hug them for me.”
“I will. Now go. You don’t need to baby me.”
I was going to anyway. I was going to plan another breakfast with the sibs, or another girly evening... or both.
After hanging up, I headed back through the corridor, where I ran into Lilian. Was she waiting for me?
“Oh, you,” she said.
I smiled, seeing no reason to not be cordial. “Hey, Lilian.”
“Nice dress.”
“Why thank you.” I hadn’t expected the compliment.
“It’s not a designer dress, right? Looks like that. Nice.”
Right. So it hadn’t been a compliment.
“It’s off-the-rack, if that’s what you mean. But it doesn’t matter, does it? The important thing is how it looks on me.”
She smirked again. “It looks like it’s off the rack, but nice.” Running her hands down her suit, she said, “This is a Dior.”
“It’s lovely.” I honestly didn’t have the energy to waste on her.
“I’m surprised Brayden didn’t want to pay for something more expensive. It’s a red flag, if you ask me.”
What a snob. I almost laughed but held my composure. “Actually, Lilian, I bought this myself. I love it.”
Her smirk fell, but she recovered quickly.
“Well... you need to do better. You’re playing in the big league now. If you don’t want to learn the rules, you’ll lose.”
I rolled my shoulders, standing even straighter. What did that even mean? Did she think she could intimidate me? I’d thought we’d been through this before.
“I think I’m doing pretty well. At least I don’t have this burning need to belittle others to feel better.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve been around longer than you. I know how to bide my time.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been waiting for him to give you the time of day for years. If I were you, I’d take a hint.”
With that, I just strolled past her, enjoying the anger in her eyes. I slipped the phone back in my clutch as I scoured the perimeter for familiar faces. Brayden was talking to Sasha in a corner. He waved at me, then playfully wiggled his forefinger in a “come here” motion.
“Are you ready to go? I am,” he whispered once I was next to him.
“Brayden! We can’t bail on the party after two hours.”
“It’s only been two? Feels like a million.”
“Parties really aren’t your scene, huh?” The rest of the boys were taking it in stride. Lars had drunk half a bottle of champagne and was laughing his ass off with two friends. Thomas and Cami were dancing intimately between two couches.
“Is Josie okay? You look nervous.”
I caught myself twirling a strand of hair between my fingers. “Josie is great. Tess and Skye are with her.”
“Then why are you so on edge?”
I bit my lower lip, not wanting to talk about it. I was very annoyed. If Lilian was going to become a problem, Brayden needed to know, but I wanted to address this later.
“Isabelle. Tell me.” His tone was strong and commanding.
“Later, okay?