When I finally stepped out of the bathroom, Jimmy did a double-take, but said nothing.
“You don’t like it?”
“No, that’s not it. You look incredible. It’s just so . . . plain for you. At least your dad won’t give me shit for bringing you somewhere so important dressed inappropriately.”
My dress was black and form-fitting, with long sleeves and a modest neckline. But, there was a surprise in the back. With dramatic flair, I moved across the room to collect my clutch from the table by the door.
“Alright,” Jimmy laughed. “That’s more like a Tessa dress.” As I step into my gold stilettos, Jimmy caressed my exposed back and kissed my neck. The designer dress dipped so low it verged on scandalous, but it stopped just in time to just be seriously sexy. “Your dad is going to be pissed, but you look so good, it’s worth it.”
“Thanks.” I smiled. “You can fuck me in it later.” I knew I shouldn’t have said it. I was supposed to be being mean. But knowing what I was walking into tonight, I needed the distractions that Jimmy provided. Thoughts of pulling him into a bathroom or closet and having him go down on me might have been enough to get me through the evening.
As soon as we stepped inside the swanky hotel, Jimmy transitioned into professional mode, walking just a couple of feet behind me. A good bodyguard stayed close, without being obtrusive.
My heels clicked on the polished marble floor as I followed the familiar corridor to the ballroom. The muted applause and clinking of glasses making it clear the event had already started. Similarly to how I was late enough to make it clear to my father that I didn’t want to be here, but not so late as to mess anything up for his carefully laid plans.
I paused at the bar, just outside the doors to the ballroom, and eyed the long line. Men in tuxedos, women in evening gowns by the most enviable designers, everyone dripping in diamonds and platinum—and still, I was the most important one tonight.
It would be conceited if that thought didn’t fill me with sadness and frustration.
“Champagne?” A petite, brunette waitress stepped out from behind the bar and offered me a flute of golden liquid on a silver tray.
“Thank you, Amy,” I said, reading her name tag. “Please find me inside and keep them coming all night.” I nodded to Jimmy and he tipped her generously, ensuring good service for the remainder of the evening.
I took a sip and then a deep breath before Jimmy opened the door to the ballroom. The lights were mild, creating a warm glow, and the white cloth-covered tables were spaced just far enough apart for easy passage. Just as I spotted my reserved table on the far side of the room near the stage, everyone erupted into applause and jumped from their seats.
I glanced to the platform as a man in a tuxedo with a breathtaking smile walked to the podium. That chiseled jaw, broad shoulders, and chestnut brown hair with flecks of silver—I’d know him anywhere, even though we’d never met. The spotlight hit him in the most flattering way as he began to speak to all in attendance.
“Good evening everybody,” he said in a languid and confident tone. I didn’t listen to his speech. I didn’t care. My racing thoughts took over, drowning out whatever he was saying to warm the crowd up. He was Calvin Nathaniel James, the former mayor of New York City and the only reason I was at the fundraiser.
“. . . and that’s why I’m not stopping at winning this primary. This campaign trail isn’t stopping until we get to the White House!”
The crowd went absolutely wild with applause, cheers, and whistles. It was hard to ignore the excitement and energy in the room, so much so that I was tempted to join in, if not for the fact my heart was thundering in my chest.
Calvin wasn’t just the future President of the United States. He’s the man my father arranged for me to marry.
Chapter 2
As the applause died down, I made my way through the crowds to find my table. The reality of what I had to do stared me in the face as I looked at Calvin up on stage. Just the thought made my knees shake.
I glanced at the name card at my seat and looked around at my tablemates. They were all too engaged in Calvin’s speech to take notice of my arrival. I couldn’t say I blamed them. His presence was commanding; the way his strong hands gripped the podium, his voice confident and assertive. He held their attention well and it was clear he knew how to control the room.
I knew my role here tonight. I just wasn’t sure if I was really able to make people see us as a real-life fairytale and not the cold bargain it was. It was a tall order.
He finished his speech and quickly exited the stage to an adoring crowd. I watched him as he moved from one group to another, shaking hands and kissing cheeks. He charmed each one of them with an award-winning smile and a genuine laugh. They were practically throwing their money at him. As he approached closer, I took that as my cue to get up and work my way through the masses. We couldn’t bump into each other if I stayed sitting in my seat.
I moved around the room, the sweet scents of the dessert table calling my name while I hoped to find someone I wanted to talk to. A few familiar faces dotted the crowd, friends of the family, but they were too far away from where I needed to be. I searched the room again to find him. He was getting closer to my spot and the tension rolled off my shoulders like morning fog.
Amy the waitress from the bar found me just in time.
“More champagne?” She gracefully held the tray in front of me.
“I’d love some,” I told her with a smile and took two. “Thank you.”
I downed one quickly, regretting it instantly as the bubbles tickled my nose and a cough threatened to come out. I put the empty flute on her tray and gave her an appreciative glance. With the other champagne in hand, I turned and took another sip, praying the liquid courage would do its work.
“Tessa!” A familiar voice called out. A second later I was pulled into a hug, nearly spilling my drink.
“Gloria.” I hugged her back with one hand and put on my best saccharin smile. A member of the New York elite, and one of the finest gossips in all Manhattan, Gloria was just the person I needed to see in this moment. “It’s so nice to see you here.”
“Well, you know how I love a party. And any chance to spend money on handsome men.”
“I know that very well.” I laughed and took another sip, secretly wanting to die a little. I knew how to interact at these events, but I didn’t like it. It just wasn’t me.
“Well, don’t you look positively stunning,” Gloria said and gestured to my dress.
“I thought so too,” I replied with a wink. As soon as I answered, a string quartet took the stage. The plucking and strumming quickly turned into a soft, beautiful melody.
“Did you come with someone?” she asked me, looking around for my nonexistent date.
“I’d be interested in knowing the answer to that question.” I turned around to see the man of the hour standing right behind me. Somehow, he was even more handsome up close; his features more prominent. I realized he was taller too. He was easily six-foot-three, dwarfing my measly five-and-a-half-foot frame.
Gloria laughed and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Hi, sugar. Let me introduce you to a friend of mine. Calvin James, this is Tessa Moretti, the daughter of Bruno Moretti. You know who he is, no doubt. You businessy types all know each other.” She turned to me, placing his hand in mine. “Tessa, this is Calvin James, the future president if we have anything to say about it.”