Page 151 of His Flash Mate
I’d beento the museum, but never for a private event.If the red carpeted stairs were any indication of the event’s caliber, I knew this wasn’t an ordinary business gathering.
“This is for old money, isn’t it?”I asked Konni softly.
“If I say yes, will I need to annoy you by carrying you inside anyway?”
“No, but I’m no longer feeling guilty about this dress or the next one commissioned on your dime.”
“Good.”He took my hand and wrapped it around his arm as we climbed the stairs.
This time, I didn’t try pulling away.If Lianna were here with him, she would have taken his arm without invitation and not batted an eye.
People arriving watched us.It didn’t bother me since I was quietly watching everyone else, too.Mostly the dresses.Some I recognized due to my obsession with designers.But some were unknown to me and insanely pretty.I wondered if I could sneak pictures so Miranda could help me figure out the designers.
Inside, elegantly hand-painted folding partitions depicting scenes from old Motan divided the event’s reception area from the rest of the museum.The large space allowed everyone to mingle comfortably.
“Wine?”a waiter offered.
“Thank you,” I said, choosing a white wine I had no intention of drinking.It was noon, and I had a mom to question after this.However, I knew an empty hand wouldn’t look right here.
“No, thank you,” Konni said, sending the waiter away.
He looked at me.“Ready?”
I nodded.
The next hour was filled with introductions and small talk.Konni seemed to know everyone.Or maybe everyone simply knew him, which made me a curiosity.
He introduced me as Ms.Elmantas, without explaining our association, keeping in line with my wish to remain unofficial.
I didn’t realize how badly that was going to bite me in the ass until I went to the ladies' room.
“Did you see the woman with Drokonnen Steele?”a woman asked before I left my stall.
“I did.Her dress had to cost him a fortune.I wonder what she did to earn it.”
“Nothing,” I said as I walked out.“Because he didn’t buy it for me.My mother bought this dress for me.Isn’t that why you're here, too?You have money, thanks to the generations that came before you, rather than your own efforts.Or am I wrong?Do you work somewhere?”
Their shocked silence was answer enough.So I washed my hands, fixed my lipstick, and left.
Konni handed me my wine.“You look angry again.”
“Annoyed.”
“Who?”he asked, his gaze darkening as it swept the room.
“Just some women who needed to hear that my mother bought this dress and not you.”
He masked his annoyance as he continued to scan the room, then suddenly looked at me again.
“Your father just saw me.Do you want to avoid him?”
“Are you offering to take one for the team?”I asked.
“Are we a team?”
“We are if you can deflect my father while I go find somewhere else to be.”
He smiled.“Make sure you stay in sight.”
