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His posture shifted instantly, concern in his gaze. “Mia, that’s not it at all.”
“Then what is it?” I asked. “Because I’m about two seconds from calling this and going home. I’ll lose my job before I let a man humiliate me like that again.”
“Mia, I?—”
“Trouble in paradise?” came a silky voice.
We both stood straight and jerked our attention toward a woman in a slinky purple dress. She had almond-shaped brown eyes, straight brown hair, and a body like a model. And the way she looked at Ford, like he was a gazelle and she was a lion on the hunt, made me want to defend him in a way I’d never wanted to protect a man before.
Whatwas going on with me tonight?
Before either of us could answer, an older man in a three-piece suit with a purple pocket square and a cowboy hat approached us, saying, “Ford, Mia, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Felicity Reynolds.”
Shit.
I’d been too preoccupied with Ford to put the pieces together. I knew Trent from different events, but Felicity hadn’t been a part of the same crowd. “Felicity,” I said, putting warmth in my voice and smile. “It’s so lovely to meet you. I’m Mia Baird, CEO of Griffen Industries.”
She shook my hand, hers feeling so small and cold within mine. “Hi.” Her gaze was already back on Ford.
Trent said, “I made sure both of you were seated at the table with Felicity and me. We both wanted to get to know the happy couple a bit better.”
“Great,” Ford said. And I realized I could tell when he was faking a smile, because he was right now. None of the usual light was in his blue eyes. Instead, a hard, determined look took its place.
It gave me a little hope that maybe Icouldtell when he was putting on an act.
Trent turned, encouraging us to follow him. Ford slipped his hand through mine and gave me a look I could instantly read.
This was bad. Very bad.
26
FORD
Trent and Felicityhad the worst possible timing.
Here Mia was, completely misreading my reaction to our kiss. And just when we were in the middle of an argument, they showed up—before I could even explain myself. Not only that, but I could also see the wheels turning in Trent’s mind. He thought Mia and I weren’t on solid ground, which gave him just another reason to poke holes at our relationship. With a sharpened pitchfork, judging by his steely gaze.
Trent led us to a table toward the front of the ballroom where a stage was set up. Typically at these dinners, there was some type of speaker who was supposed to inspire us, Coach would talk too, and then Trent always gave a speech.
I used to be amazed by Trent, impressed at what he’d done with the program since purchasing it as a self-made millionaire.
Now, I knew I’d been naïve. He may have found monetary success, but I had no doubt he’d done it on the backs of other people, judging by the way he tried to step all over me to get what he wanted. Or rather, what his daughter desired.
We arrived at the table, and I realized it was just the four of us seated there so no one would have their backs to the stage.But that also meant we had no one to act as a buffer. Trent clearly meant business.
If Mia noticed, she didn’t let on. Instead, she sat in the chair I pulled out for her. “Trent, thank you so much for getting us the best seats in the house!”
He gave Mia a smile that didn’t meet his eyes. He clearly saw her as competition. But one thing about Mia? She was always up for the challenge. “Have you been to something like this before?” he asked. I knew the move—it was meant to make her feel insignificant, like he wouldn’t remember her if he saw her in a crowd.
She chuckled like he’d been making a joke, then slipped her hand in mine under the table. Just her touch was comforting. “I’m so glad I could sneak away for this,” she said to him. “Things have been awfully busy lately.”
Trent nodded. “I hear from Thomas that the company’s on the rocks since Gage’s departure.”
So he knew Thomas—interesting.
Her jaw tightened, but she quickly masked her reaction with an amused smile. “If you want information on a trip, would you ask the bus driver or the kids chatting in the back seat?” she retorted.
Trent let out a laugh despite himself. But Felicity let out a heavy sigh, resting her chin in a bejeweled hand.