lines of the bodice rather than detracting from it. The last item in the box was a bracelet. Two ropes of pavé—platinum inlaid with diamonds—that looked like four strands of diamonds when clasped around my wrist.
I took one last look at myself in the mirror. No surprise that Nolan knew his jewels too.
After calling for an Uber, I placed the invite, my cell phone, lipstick, house key, ID and credit card into the small satin-covered purse. I slipped on my heels and the silver fur cape and took the elevator to the main floor to await my ride.
The Uber driver wasn’t chatty, which sucked when I needed a distraction. The venue was a private country club I’d never heard of, but that wasn’t saying much since the only country club I’d been to in the Twin Cities was the one Nolan’s parents belonged to—and only the parking lot of that one.
Although this club didn’t appear fancy on the outside, I guessed it’d be crystal chandeliers and polished marble on the inside.
A young man wearing a full coat-and-tails-type tuxedo helped me out of the car. He immediately escorted me to the concierge.
“Good evening. How may I help you?”
“I’m here for the Grant Foundation Gala. My previous event ran late.” Ooh, didn’t I sound posh? I handed him the invitation. “Hopefully I haven’t missed too much.”
“Just the dinner and the speeches. The silent auction is still in progress. Dancing started half an hour ago.”
I glanced at the clock behind him. Ten thirty. I hoped Jax was right and Nolan was still here.
“Coat check is on your left inside,” the concierge continued. “Then follow that hallway until you reach Ballroom A.”
“Thank you.”
After I ditched my wrap, I headed to the party, which I heard as soon as I entered the building.
The people who passed by smiled quizzically, as if trying to place me.
Good luck with that. I’m so far out of my realm I’m in another world.
The doors to the ballroom were open, the lights were still up on high. No shadowed corner for me to lurk in and get the lay of the land, so to speak.
Inside the ballroom, I snagged a class of bubbly from a passing waitress and roamed the periphery of the room. Did I see anyone I knew? Not a single soul—including my boyfriend. So I kept moving. It took an entire glass of champagne to navigate one quarter of the massive room. If I kept up this drinking pace, I’d knock back four glasses before I finished where I’d started.
Tempting. Especially when I reached the halfway mark and still no sign of Nolan.
I had attracted two male admirers, who approached me as soon as I quit moving.
“Hello there. How did we miss such a ravishing beauty at dinner?” pseudo-charmer number one asked.
“I’m afraid I missed the dinner. Previous engagement.”
“I can hope you were breaking it off with your boyfriend. You’ll crush me if you admit you’re not single,” guy number two said with mock sorrow. “Not a good end to the evening.”
The nerve of these guys. And this forced charm . . . not charming at all.
“Please at least tell us your name.”
“Gabi.” I glanced away from my would-be paramours and finally saw my man across the room.
Women hanging on his every word. Some men too. Quick with a smile. Quick to toss off some comment that had his groupies laughing again.
Breathtaking was the only way to describe him. His custom-tailored suit stood out and was the perfect complement to my dress. I muttered, “You sneaky bastard.”
“Who?” guy number two asked.
Then he saw where my focus had strayed.
“That guy is a total sneaky bastard, from what I’ve heard. He has a one-and-done rule.”
“Ironclad,” guy number one added.
“Do you know him?” I asked.
“I know of him. I mean, I know his name—everyone does.” He paused. “Do you know him?”
I said, “Nolan Lund.”
That’s when Nolan went still. Almost as if he’d heard me. His gaze scanned the room until his eyes landed on me.
He treated me to a once-over. Then another.
I hid my smirk behind my champagne glass when he completely abandoned his conversation, booking it in my direction, nearly plowing over a waiter and a couple exiting the dance floor in his haste to reach me.
My two new pals had gone silent.
Especially after Nolan arrived, swept me into his arms and kissed me squarely on the mouth. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Good thing my champagne glass was empty or I’d be wet.”