Page 40 of Scandal
“Is she your girlfriend?”
“Is she the reason you left the band?”
Asher smiles through it all, even though I know it hurts.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he says softly against the shell of my ear.
“You don’t look half bad yourself.”
“Oh, I know.” He chuckles, and I breathe a sigh of relief to see a genuine smile on his face. “In fact, I think the exact word you used was delicious.”
My cheeks instantly flush. “I was referring to the food tonight,” I lie. “I said I hope the food is delicious. I just mumbled the first part.”
“Right, of course. I forgot you have a tendency to mumble when discussing food.” I discreetly elbow him in the ribs. He smiles so broadly that tiny creases form in the corners of his eyes. “Come on,” he says, slipping his hand into mine. “They’ve gotten what they need. Let’s go inside. I need to have a word with my mother.”
Chapter Nine
ASHER
My eyes scan the crowd the moment we pass through the double doors. People mill about the grand foyer in sparkling gowns and designer tuxedos. Glasses of champagne and fancy hors d’oeuvres are passed around on silver platters.
But my mother is nowhere to be found.
I thought she and I had an understanding. I thought we’d come to some sort of agreement when it came to my responsibilities to the family and?—
“Good evening, my lord,” Mac greets me, somewhat out of breath and rushed. He’s dressed in formal attire, yet stands out with an earpiece and a walkie-talkie on his belt. He turns to Mercury and gives a polite, yet sincere nod. “Miss Creed.”
“Do you happen to know where the countess is?” I ask, using my mother’s formal title since we’re in public.
“No, my lord,” he replies. “But she instructed me to escort you to your seats when you arrived.” Mac has always been my personal valet, but when I left, he was reassigned to my mother’s staff. “You may have better luck finding her there.”
I know his loyalty still lies with me, but the strain it’s putting on him to be caught between us is growing.
It’s never been more evident than it is now.
“No interviews?” I assumed my mother would sell my highly anticipated return to the highest bidder.
“Not that I’m aware of.”
So my mother doesn’t want Mercury and me seen together, nor does she want me talking to the press.
What is she up to?
With Merc’s arm securely around mine, we follow Mac into the ballroom. This estate has always been a favorite of mine. The arched wooden cathedral ceiling is truly a Scottish masterpiece, and I can’t help but smile when I hear Merc’s tiny gasp as she takes it all in.
“It’s breathtaking.”
No, I nearly say.You are.
She always is, but tonight she’s fucking stunning.
From the moment I stepped into the cottage and saw her standing there in that shimmering blue dress, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off her, and I keep reminding myself this isn’t real.
That she’ll eventually have to head back to California, and I’ll have to face all of this alone.
Mac weaves us through the crowd, and I try not to let the attention get to me. I recognize a few of my parents’ friends, some wealthy donors, and celebrities. Many have already taken their seats, while others have taken to the dance floor or are chatting around the bar.
Our table near the front, however, is nearly full.
