I nod quickly. “Yep. Let me just grab my bag.” I pick up my clutch purse, shoving in my lipstick, phone, and powder compact, and some cash before taking Jared’s hand and letting him lead me out of the building and down the stairs.
My stomach rumbles in the taxi, and Jared smiles.
“Don’t worry, baby. There’ll be food there.”
“Is it a buffet? If so, I’m gonna show it who’s boss,” I joke.
“Lady in the streets, freak at the buffet,” he replies, winking at me.
When we pull up outside the hotel, I let out an appreciative whistle. It’s on the outskirts of the city and huge; it’s quite secluded and set in beautiful grounds with trees and sweet-smelling blooms that hit you as soon as you step out of the taxi. The gravel driveway to the hotel is lined with sculpted conifer trees that are lit from the base, casting a beautiful glow. It’s magnificent.
“Wow, this is gorgeous,” I whisper, looping my arm through Jared’s when he holds it out in offering.
As we step inside, I gasp and look around. The reception is beautiful, all stone floors and shiny surfaces. A concierge steps up to us and smiles; he’s carrying a silver tray laden with flutes of bubbling champagne.
“Good evening. Are you with Jenkins and Banner?” he asks.
Jared nods, and the concierge smiles, offering us the tray. I raise my eyebrows and watch as Jared takes two glasses. Suddenly, I feel out of my depth. Unless I’m at a wedding, posh dresses, beautiful hotels, and free champagne are not really things I come across in my life.
“Um, I don’t actually like champagne.” I wince apologetically, and Jared nods in understanding, setting one glass back on the tray.
“No problem. I’ll get you something else.” He turns to the concierge. “Is there a bar?”
“Yes, sir. Inside the ballroom where your function is being held, there is a fully stocked bar.” He points to a huge set of oak doors at the end of the hallway where another waiter is poised to open the door for us.
My feet are rooted to the spot, and I take a couple of deep breaths. I look up at Jared for reassurance, and he smiles down at me, setting his hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward.
As the ballroom door opens, I gasp in delight. There’s a live brass band playing music off to one side near an empty dance floor. A few people are already standing around, chatting in little groups. The scent of something delicious fills the air, and my mouth waters. The room itself is massive with a high ceiling, polished marble floor, and gilded gold edging, and several sparkling chandeliers hang from the ceilings. There are about fifteen large round tables, all laid out with gleaming cutlery and side plates and beautiful, understated flower arrangements in the centre. It’s magnificent and lavish and like something out of a magazine from a celebrity wedding.
“Wow, your company is paying for all of this? Is there a special occasion?” I whisper, still looking around in awe as I sway unconsciously to the background music.
Jared leans in conspiratorially. “Apparently, there’s always a lavish party around this time, a kind of early Christmas party, but rumour has it, they pushed the boat out a little further this year because of the merger. There will be staff here from J and B and also Barr, the company we’re currently in merger talks with. I would imagine this is all to impress.”
I nod in understanding.
Jared motions towards the bar, and there are a few people crowded around it already. “I’ll go get you a drink. Glass of rosé?” he checks, cocking his head to the side.
I smile and nod, brushing my hand over his jacket, catching a finger in his waistcoat, and giving it a playful tug. “Yes, please. I’ll wait here for you.”
He sighs and leans down, gently kissing my forehead. “Thank you for coming with me. I really hate these things.”
I smile and rub against him. “I can tell.”
Jared has stiffened since we got out of the taxi, and his body language has completely changed from the usually relaxed guy I know to this professional, hard-faced one. He looks uncomfortable, and although he fits into this sumptuous place perfectly, I know he would rather be anywhere than here tonight, socialising with his “subordinates.”
“I love you,” he says, tracing the back of his knuckle across my cheek, leaving a burning trail in its wake.
“I love you too,” I reply earnestly.
He sighs again and walks off through the crowd, heading towards the bar as I wander around, touching tablecloths and munching on tiny entrees the waiting staff is handing out. Armed with two chicken skewers I just procured from a petite waitress who told me her name was Wendy, I stop next to a friendly-looking girl with a red dress on. She’s laughing with another girl and a guy in an ugly brown suit. She looks up and catches my eye, smiling tentatively.
“Hi,” I greet, waving like a dork and deciding I need to get the mingling started. Networking is what these things are usually about. “I love your dress.”
She looks down at it and smiles. “Thanks! I love yours too. And your hair, oh my God, it’s lovely. I wish I could go pink or lavender grey.” She lets out a dreamy sigh, and I reach up to touch my rigorously styled locks that Heather teased into an elegant up-do for me.
“Thank you. It takes some work,” I admit. I have to touch up my colour every four weeks, but it’s worth it. I love my chalky-coloured hair.
“I’m Holly. This is Camilla and Gus.” She waves at the couple she’s with.
“Amy.” I politely shake their hands.
“You don’t work for J and B. At least, I’ve not seen you around. Do you work for Barr?” Holly asks, taking a sip of her champagne.
I shake my head, about to answer but stop as two more people join us.
Holly grins. “Perfect timing. Amy, this is Greg and Paul,” she introduces the newcomers.
I smile warmly at them and shake their hands too.
Paul groans theatrically. “Guess who we just saw.”
There’s a collective grumble, and I look around, waiting to be enlightened.
“Oh great, he’s arrived. I hope we don’t have to talk to him,” Holly grumbles.
Paul nods. “Me too. I checked the seating plan though, and thank fuck, we’re not sitting with him. He’s apparently bringing a plus-one with him tonight.”
“A plus-one? What kind of insane idiot would date a guy like that?” Gus responds, scrunching his nose up. “Oh, did you hear I got threatened with a disciplinary today? Missed a deadline for my end-of-campaign report.” He shakes his head in apparent anger.
“Who are you talking about?” I ask.
Gus blows out a big breath, and Holly answers, “Our manager. He’s a nightmare.”
I suddenly get a sinking feeling in my stomach. I think I’ve allied myself with the wrong people.
“Oh shit, he’s coming over,” Gus says, his eyes widening as they all stand up straighter and readjust themselves as if they weren’t doing anything.
“Christ, why does he have to be so hot?” Holly complains. “Look at him, all fine and sexy in that suit. If he wasn’t such a bloody tyrant, I’d fancy him something rotten.”
Camilla shrugs, her eyes firmly latched over my shoulder. “I still fancy him. I like bossy, grumpy men.”