“Nothing’s wrong,” he said. “You just look different.”
She tilted her head as she looked down at him. “In a good way or a bad way?” she asked skeptically.
He looked her over. His eyes lingered on her long legs, which only looked longer in her strappy sandals. The puffy skirt was made of a material so fine, he was sure if he stared long enough, he’d be able to see the outline of her body. “A good way,” he croaked out.
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m ready to get to Mark’s barbeque whenever you are. The sooner we get this over with, the better, you know?”
She smiled down at him and he bit back the urge to ask whether it was fake.
He nodded as he pushed himself off the chair.
~~~~~
DuFord’s home was an exercise in opulence. The shiny marble floors glistened from the sunlight streaming in from the massive windows in the atrium-like living room that stretched up the entire three stories of the main section of the house.
Grace wrapped her arm around his and leaned in close enough for him to smell the delicate floral hint to her shampoo. “The hall to the left leads to Mark’s rooms. His bedroom and study are right next to each other. Ohh!” She squeaked as her bracelet clattered on the white floors. As she went to pick it up, her foot kicked the silver chain to the side and past Simon.
His brows furrowed together as he bent to pick up the bracelet, taking his time as he stood to take a good look at the hallway Grace mentioned. Most of the guests seemed to be out the back, so he had a mostly clear shot, but anyone on the crowded patio would have a perfect view of him if he went there.
Simon turned back to Grace and dangled the bracelet in front of her. “Lose something?”
“I’m so clumsy sometimes.” She held her wrist out to him.
He shook his head as he clasped the jewelry around her small wrist. “You’re enjoying this too much.”
She shrugged. “I’m just trying to help. Are you just going to walk on in there? What’s the plan?”
Simon interlaced his fingers with hers and led her out onto the brick patio. “We’ll mingle for a while.” He leaned in close so only she could hear. “Once everyone is a bit more settled, I’ll try to slip away.”
She nodded. “Do you want me to cause a distraction or anything? I can knock over a bottle of wine and spill something on that woman’s dress.”
He followed her gaze to a tall, slender brunette who stood by the hors d’oeuvres. “What did she ever do to you?”
Grace smirked. “Not her. The dress is worth a fortune. I guarantee you if I get anything on it, you’ll hear her screaming all the way in Jersey.”
“You have a very devious mind.”
She beamed up at him as though it was the nicest compliment. “Seriously. Tell me what you want. I’m here to help you.”
Simon snatched a drink from a passing waiter and took a deep swallow of the much too tame alcohol. If she only knew what he wanted.
Except Grace did know. She didn’t want to go there, and he had to respect that. He didn’t have to be happy about it, though. “At some point tonight, DuFord is going to try to get you alone. When he does, keep him busy. That’s when I’ll do it.”
“How could you know that?” she asked with a frown.
“It’s his type. He doesn’t like me, and he hates that I have something that used to be his.”
“I was never—”
“I know,” he interjected. “But he doesn’t. It’s the way he thinks. He sees himself as a winner. Someone above the rules and the laws. You said he warned you away from me last night? Well, he’s going to come on stronger today.”
Grace rubbed the back of her neck. “Geesh. I guess I’m a trophy girlfriend now?”
“Take it as a compliment,” he said.
She raised a brow. “The thief of an investment banker and the consultant I’m only pretending to be with are fake fighting over me. What a nice thought.”
“It doesn’t have to be fake.” Her face went pale and he wished he could take the words back. Damn it, this wasn’t the time or place to be pushing things. But he wanted her to know it wasn’t all an act. Sure, it was convenient, but she was smart and beautiful. There was no reason they shouldn’t take things further.
“I’m going to grab a drink,” she said, fake smile firmly in place. “Did you want another?” She motioned to his empty glass.
He looked over to where the waiter poured glasses of wine. “I’m going to find something a bit stronger,” he muttered.
Grace left him, and Simon watched her leave before switching his attention to study the other guests. DuFord’s barbeque was a joke. The man wasn’t cooking a damn thing. The entire event was being handled by caterers, waiters, and servers. But if DuFord got just one new client out of all this, it would more than cover the expense.
Simon recognized most of the people there as guests at the Summer Blowout. So if DuFord had already buttered some poor sap up, this barbeque would be the perfect follow through. Let the mark think they’ve had the illusion of time, but reinforce all the benefits of working with him.
If Simon didn’t utterly despise DuFord so much, he might actually respect him. He continued his surveillance as he circled the patio and made his way closer to the bar.
Just as the bartender handed Simon his whiskey on the rocks, Grace was by his side again.
“You’re a man of simple tastes, aren’t you?” She eyed his drink.
He took a sip as he eyed her. “I don’t know about that.” With a hand on her arm, he led her to a less crowded section of the patio, closer to the house and overlooking the bulk of the party. “What can you tell me about the guy in the blue shirt and pink tie?”
Grace looked over Simon’s shoulder and he could tell the exact moment her eyes locked on the guest in question. “Daton Gable,” she murmured. “He’s a banker. Like, works at an actual bank, not just a money-moving company. He and Mark are good friends.” She squinted at something. “The girl is new, though.”
Simon casually turned, and his focus caught on the young woman next to Daton. She was definitely pretty, but she didn’t have the same poise and polish as the rest of the partygoers. Even he could tell that her dress was probably off the clearance rack at a discount store, and her eyes darted between guests.
“She’s definitely here with Daton,” muttered Grace. “Why were you asking about him?”
“He’s one of the few people here who wasn’t at the Summer Blowout last night. I’m just trying to figure out the players here.” The girl moved in closer to Daton, and Simon frowned. “I don’t think they’re sleeping together,” he muttered.
Grace swatted him on the arm. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“Sex has to do with everything.”
She stared up at him. “Okay, I’ll give you that. Well, Daton is totally into her. She just wants to get the hell out of here.”
He snorted. “What makes you say that?”
“Look at his face when she gets close.” She leaned in closer to Simon. “It’s not just happiness to have her close. He’s smug about it.”