Page 24 of The Sounds of Her
Brooke: Ok, I admit, this dress is amazing.
Brooke: [pic]
Jenna: OMG, Brooke, it’s stunning. Say what you will about Eloise, she has good taste.
Elsa: Sexy lady. Do you get to keep it?
Jenna: I hope so. It suits you.
Elsa: We’re the same size, right [laugh emoji]
Jenna: Speaking of dresses, Adam had all of our bridal gowns shipped straight to the resort, so we don’t need to worry about them.
Meg: I can’t believe you’re getting married in six days, Jen
Jenna: Says you, Mrs Ferguson. I still can’t believe you got married in Vegas.
The conversation veers into wedding talk after that. I roll my eyes, I also can’t help but smile at how happy they all are. It’s one thing reading the messages but I’m not getting into a conversation.
I put my phone away and glance at Roman. He’s laughing at something the man beside him said. Roman has a single dimple in his left cheek, it gives him a boyish appearance, but not in a bad way. He catches me staring and winks, then introduces me and gets me involved in the conversation.
I’m asked if I’m going to bid on any auction items. I smile and say I haven’t looked at what is on offer yet.
“I’m sure there is something that will catch our eye,” Roman says with a broad smile.
Our eye? I give him a critical once over. He is the kind of man my mom would want to see me date. Dad would approve too, given he’s Jason Campbell’s son. They’ll disregard his reputation because of his name.
I’ve never been one to want to please my parents, so regardless of how handsome he is, Roman is not my type, and I doubt I’ll ever see him again after tonight.
An image of Archer Harris pops into my head and I quickly try to push it out. I can’t lie to myself. I’ve thought about Archer a lot since the night at Flux. Was he watching me dance? Or was he looking at something else?
“There you are.”
My back straightens at mom’s voice.
Roman smiles at her, excusing himself from the couple we’ve been talking to. He reaches out his hand and places it on mom’s shoulder, kissing her cheek and giving her a huge smile.
Well, that’s interesting, and not in a good way. My mother is smiling at him like he hung the moon. She turns to me, and her smile becomes more critical as she eyes the dress. Her lips pinch at the colour of my nails, but she would never be so gauche to criticise me in company. Inwardly, I fist pump.
“Eloise, you are stunning,” Roman says.
“Oh don’t be silly,” she simpers. “Not as beautiful as my daughter.”
I almost choke on the sip of champagne.
“Well, you are both breathtaking.”
Roman is going down in my estimation right now.
“I want to introduce you both to some friends, come, they’re over here.”
“Of course.” Roman holds out a hand for her to lead the way. He turns to me and lifts his brow, his arm popping out. I oblige, putting mine through his, but only for an easy life.
Mom leads us through the groups of people dotted around. No one is dancing yet, there is a large space which makes up a dancefloor, so it’s expected at some point. There are smiles and chatter and women in elegant dresses all around me.
Mom stops by an older man in a tuxedo. There is a handsome woman in a sapphire blue dress and a perfect chignon hairstyle beside him. They both smile broadly when mom greets them.
There is no need for introductions, this is the Mayor of New York, and his wife.