I laughed back and only because it was funny and I didn’t doubt her threat for a moment, and the fact that The Cockroach was watching us from across the way. “I’ll be a perfect gentleman…just as long as he keeps his pincers to himself.”

She rolled her eyes at me again and I noticed how blue they looked paired against her dress tonight.

After dinner, I got the pleasure of being introduced to the very female, and very gracious Alex Craven from the Victoria and Albert. I sent up a prayer of thanks to my mum that I never sent Ms. Craven the toxic text from ‘Ethan w/ the big knife’ and figured Mum had to have been looking out for me that day. I never take my luck for granted.

It didn’t take long for Brynne to be whisked away by patrons who wanted a blow by blow of the conserving of Lady Percival. I resigned myself to that eventuality and headed off to get another drink. I sensed eyes on me and turned around to find Strawberry Blonde honing in fast. Shit. I knew this would happen.

“Hello, Ethan. It’s so nice to see you here tonight. I was just asking Ivan about you the other day.”

“Is that so?” I nodded at her, desperately wishing I remembered her name. “Drink…um…?” I looked down, feeling like an ass**le and wanting to be anywhere else at this moment.

“Priscilla.”

Well, I got the first letter right. I snapped my fingers and pointed at the ceiling. “Right—Priscilla, can I get you a drink? I’m just about to head back up to the Victorian Gallery.” Please say no.

“Yes! I’d love a Cosmo.” She gushed, her eyes lighting up as she perceived some interest on my part. She gave me a thorough looking over and I found it more than uncomfortable. This was something I’d put up with for years from women. I’d done it for the sex of course. I mean, who will shag you if you don’t at least let them admire and pretend to be flattered by their attentions? But really, I didn’t like it, and it had been nothing more than a game for me. Before Brynne much of what I’d been doing had been games. I’d been a dog.

“And what did Ivan say about me?”

“He said you were very busy with your job and the Olympics…and your new girlfriend.”

“Ahhh…well he told you the truth at least,” I said, looking for a way out of the room without being cruel, “I do have a girlfriend.” And I need to get away from you like right-the-hell-now!

“I saw her earlier at dinner. She’s a young little thing isn’t she?” Priscilla stepped closer and put her hand on my arm, her voice laced with enough toxin to sting.

“She’s not that young.” I gulped a mouthful of vodka and prayed for some act of God to get me the f**k out of this uncomfortable situation when in walked The Cockroach with Brynne at his side.

There’s your act of God, ass**le.

“Baby.” I detached myself from Priscilla and went toward Brynne. “I was just getting a drink and ran into…um…Priscilla…” Bloody hell if I didn’t know her last name either! This sucked, and I just didn’t have the skills to do this shit anymore, not that I’d ever had them, but this was awkward as f**k.

“Blackstone.” Paul Langley gave me an accusatory look. “Brynne was feeling a little lightheaded and needed to take a break.”

I took her hand and put my lips to it. “Are you all right?”

“I think I just need some water,” she said. “I just felt hot all of a sudden and weird.”

“Here, I want you to sit and I’ll get you some water.” But before I could move, there was good ole Langley pressing a crystal glass into her hands. I tried mental telepathy on him. You can leave us now, Langley.

It didn’t work.

“Thank you, Paul,” Brynne flashed him a grateful smile and started drinking.

“My pleasure, darling,” The Cockroach purred back at her.

Damn…I’d hoped you’d left the room. Langley, the epitome of manners that he apparently was, stuck out his hand to Priscilla and introduced himself. “Paul Langley.”

“Priscilla Banks. Lovely to meet you.”

Marvelous. Now, can you two go off together and shag in the loo or talk behind our backs or something? Either of those would be f**king perfect.

To my good fortune, they did move away and begin a conversation. I looked back at Brynne and asked, “Feeling better?”

“Yes, much.” She glanced over at Paul and Priscilla and then back to me. “Who is that, Ethan?” she whispered.

“A friend of Ivan’s.”

She wasn’t buying it and gave me a look that spelled certain doom if I didn’t come clean. “Was she a friend of yours too?”

“Not really,” I offered.

“What does that mean, not really?”

I paused, unsure where to take this unpleasantness. A public charity event was hardly the place, but I’ve not always filtered my thoughts from what comes out of my mouth and therefore forged ahead anyway. “It means we went out one time together and we are not friends in any sense of the word. Not like you and Langley are friends.” I raised a brow at her.

“Okay. Fair enough,” she said, with a long reflective look over at Priscilla and then back at me, before finishing the rest of her water.

Hmmm…so it seemed she was willing to let it drop for the moment. Thank. God. Now, if we could just escape The Cockroach and Strawberry Blonde things would be golden.

“Shall we go back up to the gallery? You must have legions of fans still waiting to talk to you.”

“Right,” she laughed, shaking her head. “But yeah, we really should go back. I want Lady Percival to get her due tonight. She’s been hiding in the dark for far too long.”

As I took Brynne up to the Victorian Gallery, I couldn’t help but think she was referring to herself metaphorically with that last part: She’s been hiding in the dark for far too long. It made me happy for some reason.

It didn’t take but moments for Brynne to get caught up in another round of interviews and I sort of faded into the background and let her do her thing. She was just starting out in her career and I wanted her success for a few reasons. One, it was her dream, and two, a good job in her chosen field would keep her in London with me. I was just as motivated as my girl was.

“Enjoying the show?” Ivan’s voice came at my shoulder.

“Glad you could make it tonight. We’ve been wondering when you’d grace us with your presence. Brynne wants to introduce you to her friend.” I looked around for Gabrielle in her green dress but didn’t see her.