Page 52 of The Reverse Cinderella

“You wouldn’t believe me,” Piaget said a little bitterly. For a moment she wished Adam had never introduced her to Max.

With a delicate sniff, Judith let Piaget know what she thought of her answer. “Well, it’s certainly good of him to come.”

“He’s my date mom,” Piaget replied dryly.

“Don’t call me mom. It’s so gauche,” Judith gave a delicate shudder.

There really was no talking to her. “Did I tell you that I’ve decided to run for mayor?”

“Why would you do a silly thing like that?” her mother looked at her with confusion. “Politics is a male sport. Women who enter that fray are seen as unfulfilled or as domineering. I shouldn’t like people to think of you that way.”

“The mayor has some policies that I can’t agree with,” Piaget said firmly. “I’ve decided to try to make a difference in the city. To change things for the better.”

“Really, darling. Leave it to the men. It gives them something to do,” her mother smiled as she greeted Mrs. Milton. “Betty, you remember Piaget?”

“Of course. She brought Max Ramesly. What a coup. I always knew you would land on your feet,” Mrs. Milton smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. “And if things don’t work out, you just let me know. Earle is currently available, but he might get snatched up soon as Mercy Whitrow is back in town.”

Piaget highly doubted Mercy was that desperate but what did she know? Mercy would be on the hunt for husband number four by now. Piaget offered an insincere smile in return. “Mrs. Milton, it’s so nice to see you again.”

“My daughter Sally has finished her schooling. She couldn’t be here tonight, but she’ll be here tomorrow,” Mrs. Milton gasped as though an idea had just occurred to her. “You should introduce Max to her!”

“Why would I do that?” Piaget asked, all innocent. She could see Mrs. Milton’s angle. Two single children and a Ramsely was a catch.

Mrs. Milton tittered. “I’m sure she’s just his style. She’s turned into a beauty.”

Piaget remembered Sally and she had looks. They were about the only thing going for her. She also had air in her head. If Tiffany was right, the plastic surgery had catapulted the girl into every housewife’s ‘guard the husband from her’ list. She was also only twenty-four.

“I wasn’t aware that you knew Max,” Piaget said sweetly. “He never mentioned.”

“Excuse me?” Mrs. Milton was confused.

“Well, if you know his style then you must know him. I’m sure you can shove Sally at him without my help,” Piaget smiled in satisfaction over the barb as she took a sip from her wine glass.

Mrs. Milton’s false smile disappeared very quickly. “I know you’ve come down in the world but there is no reason to be rude.”

“I believe my daughter is just staking her claim,” Piaget’s mother chimed in coolly. To get people thinking that her daughter was dating Max would put her one above them.

Mrs. Milton gave an ill-mannered humph. “Men can be fickle as Piaget here knows.”

The smile left Piaget’s mouth. “Max isn’t.”

She hoped she was telling the truth. She really didn’t know. Although why she should care if he was faithful or not was beyond her since she was mad at him. His track record certainly didn’t help him as he had been a serious player when he was younger.

“We’ll see.” With that parting shot Mrs. Milton made her way to another group of people to socialize with.

Piaget raised her wine glass for another drink and turned to her mother, “Thank you for defending me.”

“Oh, I wasn’t,” Judith remarked as she looked over the crowd. “I was just making sure that she remembers that it’s our connection to the Ramesly’s, not hers nor anyone else’s.”

She should have known, Piaget thought. There really wasn’t one maternal bone in her mother’s body. The groups rejoined and everyone went out onto the terrace as more arrivals slowly filled out the numbers. Hors d’oeuvres and champagne flowed. It was a long night of socializing and Piaget was bone tired after keeping face to previous sorority sisters, old friends, and old acquaintances. She hated how they looked down on her and called her ambitions quaint. She hated it more that they all seemed surprised that Max Ramesly was there, by her side for most of the night, both of them pretending in strained silence to be a couple. It was as if no one thought she was good enough for him.

By the time the evening was drawing to a close, Piaget felt all of two feet tall. She wondered why she had even come. Perhaps all she was good for was Earle Milton. What a depressing thought.

Piaget managed to locate Tiffany while Max was bogged down with Charles hounding him for a day to discuss changing law firms to represent the Ramesly empire.

“What a wonderful evening, Tiffany, you must be so pleased,” Piaget automatically complimented her sister.

“It went well enough. I wish the caterers had been better but it’s hard to get good service these days.” Tiffany made the usual noises even though she knew it had all gone off without a hitch.