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Blaise

We arrive at the party a half-hour late. Good thing we did. The commotion I garnered as I entered the grand estate’s ballroom with Hale at my side is enough for me to raise my rates for the next party.

“Blaise, how are you, dear?” Mrs. Stanton addresses me before her eyes flicker to Hale.

I can guess the questions running through her mind. Where, oh, where is my husband? Who is this man with me? Is he my lover? Why is my rumored lover, Granger, with the beautiful brunette?

“I’m doing well, thank you for asking. Mrs. Stanton, this is my friend, Hale Stafford. Maddox is running late. He sends his apologies.”

My answers appease her. She turns to Hale with a radiant and flirtatious smile. “Any friend of Blaise’s is a friend of mine. If there’s anything I can get you, please search me out.”

She moves on to the other guests. The empty space she leaves behind is soon filled by a group of eager partygoers in search of the latest news. How am I doing? Where’ve I been holed up? How’s married life? What’s with the TMZ article and pictures of me with the mobster Cillian McCabe?

I detest small talk but make it anyway. I answer their questions with more questions. If Maddox were here, he’d laugh, then chastise me, followed by a kiss that would have me craving for more to the point I’d demand he take me home right away so he can make love to me until I fall apart in his arms.

“How else would I be doing? Holed up? Who says anything about keeping to myself? What do you think marriage life should be like? TMZ? Pfft. A bunch of nonsense.”

The crowd laughs.

I gingerly run my hand across my bodice and down the front of my dress as though I’m smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. The ladies’ eyes widen.

“Love your dress, Blaise.”

“Where’d you get it? I’d love to order something just like it for a party next Saturday.”

“As far as I know, you can’t find this dress anywhere. It was made special for me from an up-and-coming designer.”

“Who?”

“Gia Stassi. She’s over there.”

I point to where Gia is loading her plate with fruit. Granger hasn’t left her side. That dog. Is he hoping he can scale the walls she’s put around herself to somehow get to her heart and body? Good luck with that, buddy. Gia’s armor is thicker than mine.

“I’m sure she’ll love to take orders.”

“Awesome. Thanks, Blaise.” The women leave and hurry over to Gia. I hold back my smile. First one to Gia will get her order in first.

My cell chirps. I pull it out of my purse and check my messages.

Hale: Sneaky

I smile. “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”

His eyes light up with delight.

For the rest of the night, we make our rounds with the crowd. I miss Maddox, but it’s nice to have Hale with me. People give us curious stares. I ignore them and listen intently for my phone to chirp. Hale always has something funny or interesting to say.

We’re talking to one of the guests, a romance author by the name of W.S. Spinx, when out of the corner of my eye, I catch Hale looking at me. My phone chirps. I excuse myself from the interesting conversation about his struggles keeping the sex scenes in his books fresh and lively, and read Hale’s message.

Hale: There’s a garden in the back. Would you like some fresh air?

Don’t I ever. I return to him, and taking his hand in mine, I ask him to take me there. Along the way, he lets go of my hand and settles it on the small of my back. His hand is large and warm. His hold is gentle yet possessive.

A sliver of apprehension settles in my stomach. I inhale and exhale and let go of my fear. I haven’t been completely alone with Hale. The only man I’ve been alone with is Maddox. I suspect Hale wants more from me than friendship. I’ll have to set the record straight. That Maddox is the only man for me.

Where is he?