Page 77 of Baby Daddy
“Just a glass of white wine with a little ice.”
“Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
My eyes followed him as he hurried off in the direction of one of the outdoor bars. Maybe some alcohol would help me relax. While Drake’s parents couldn’t be nicer, I felt out of my element. I didn’t belong among all this Hollywood glitterati. It seemed like everyone knew each other, and except for the Hansons, I knew no one. My encounter with Gunther had only made me more uneasy. He creeped me out. Not looking forward to spending more time with him, I inwardly shuddered.
“Hey, Dee, is that you?” came a vaguely familiar voice.
I turned to the right, and coming at me was Brandon Taylor with his wife, Zoey. The star of my favorite sitcom, Perfect 10, I recognized her instantly. He introduced us. To him, I was merely Drake’s assistant. Zoey couldn’t be sweeter, but my pulse pounded in my ears as she complimented my dress. Oh shit!
“An Armani, right?”
“Yes.” I quirked a nervous smile.
She smiled back at me. “You wouldn’t believe it, but I owned the same dress…”
Oh yes I would!
“…but I literally gave it away yesterday. I must say it looks so much better on you than it ever did on me.”
“Thanks.” If she only knew.
Brandon took his wife’s hand. “Dee, we’ve got to go mingle, but if you and your daughter ever want to come to the set of Kurt Kussler, just let Drake know.”
“Or to Perfect 10,” added Zoey.
Feeling more relaxed, my smile grew genuine and widened. I thanked them both for their kind offers before they skirted off.
I blew out a breath. Well, I got through that unexpected encounter, but I was alone again and antsy. Where was Drake? What was taking so long?
“Well, if it isn’t the temp. Derinda, right?”
Another familiar voice from behind me broke into my thoughts. I spun around and recognized her immediately. Krizia. The Hansons’ public relations exec. I took in the statuesque beauty’s appearance. She was impeccably dressed in a strapless black gown that showed off her lithe, toned body and her glorious shoulder-length red hair. In her slender hand was a goblet filled with red wine.
“Hi, Krizia,” I mumbled. “By the way, it’s Deandra.”
“Whatever.” She gave me the once over. “Are you here by yourself?”
“No, I’m here with Drake.”
“Oh, are you taking notes for him?” Her snarky voice dripped with sarcasm.
Screw her. I flashed a smug smile, pleased that my inner bitch was making her debut. “I’m here as his date. He wanted me to meet his father and Gunther Saxton.”
She rolled her bile-green eyes at me. “Do you honestly believe you’re marriage material for a man like Drake?”
Her comment caught me off guard. Marriage was not on my brain. Given my situation with Kyle, it couldn’t be. And truthfully, I hardly knew Drake. Taking a sip of her wine, my unwanted companion pursed her lips.
“Drake’s father wants him to settle down; it can make or break the Saxton deal. Drake and I have a history together. Our parents are dear friends, and my father is Orson’s financial advisor. Both Orson and Alexis adore me as does Gunther.”
I didn’t know much about Krizia’s background, but it didn’t surprise me that she came from privilege with her haughty entitled behavior. Willing myself to be brave, I fired a question at her.
“Are you saying you’re right for him?”
She scoffed. “What I’m saying is you’re not. You’re just hired help who gets paid to serve him coffee in the morning and suck his dick at night.”
Rage hurtled through me. I wished Drake would get back. My eyes darted around the never-ending yard, but he was nowhere in sight. My blood curdled as she continued.
“You’re just a ‘temporary’ diversion. As soon as you’re gone from Hanson Entertainment, you’ll be a skeleton in his closet like the rest of his hook-ups. It won’t take him long to realize that I’ve always been the one for him.”