“Mr. Maplewood.” A good-looking guy from the local TV station shoved a microphone in John’s face. “Rumor has it donations for this evening’s fund-raiser have already topped last year’s. Care to make an official announcement?”
His assistant, Evelyn’s, words replayed in John’s ear: Make nice with the media. Remember it’s all for the children.
“I don’t know any more than you do.” John scoured his mind for the man’s name. Started with an M. Michael. That was it. “But I certainly hope your source is right, Michael. This evening is all about the children.”
Bridget leaned into John’s side, gazing up at him, like an adoring pedigreed puppy—or at least in those shoes, a mutt impersonating a pedigree.
“FJM Global is proud to sponsor this wonderful event,” he continued, ignoring Bridget’s award-worthy performance. “And we look forward to the day when lymphoblastic leukemia is no longer in our vocabulary.”
The reporter looked less than thrilled. Whether it was because this guy wasn’t about to get the scoop on the night’s numbers early or because John may have botched the guy’s name, John wasn’t sure. Either way, more superstars arrived and Mr. TV, having gathered what little gossip he would get from John, eagerly moved on to fresh fodder.
Inside the historical five-star hotel, the orchestra played a gentle rendition of a favorite Sinatra tune.
Bridget swayed to the music. “I love this song.”
Across the dance floor, John spotted their table with a few of the biggest donors and their wives. John would be expected to cajole them into happily parting with their money. And he would. He’d kiss their feet and polish their shoes, if it would help eradicate this horrible disease. Next to the empty chair—that waited for him—sat Stanley Smythe, the elder, and his new bride. Why was it the older a rich man got, the younger the trophy wife? But worse, Smythe could talk the ear off a mule. Surely waiting a few more minutes before John started shoe-polishing wouldn’t hurt. “Let’s dance.”
Bridget curled into his arms. “How did I win the lottery?”
“Excuse me?”
“I haven’t heard from you in months. Then, out of the blue, with less than twenty-four hours’ notice, I get an invitation to the black-tie event of the year.”
He avoided meeting her eyes. This wasn’t an evening of wine and romance. It was business. Lifesaving business. “You love black-tie events.”
“I do.” She beamed. “Thank you.”
Glancing down, he took note of her sincere smile. At least he thought it was. They’d met in court, when he’d been called as an expert witness. She’d wiped the floor with the opposing counsel. Bridget was a smart girl, and he’d enjoyed her company. Her sweet smile might have been enough to delude him into thinking she really cared for him—the man, the person—but, deep down, he knew, if he were a poor plumber, she wouldn’t give him the time of day. On her birthday they’d only been dating a couple months. His assistant, Evelyn, had helped him pick out a beautiful 22K Italian gold etched bracelet for Bridget. The disappointment in her eyes, when she opened the blue velvet box, had cut him to the core. At first he didn’t understand, and then it hit him. When they’d played tennis at the club with his friends, Bridget had admired one of the wives’ bracelet. It’s what had given him the idea for Bridget’s birthday gift. But his friend’s bracelet had been encrusted with diamonds. A rather extravagant expectation for only two months of casual dating.
Not that it mattered. He was done playing the game. But Evelyn had insisted, like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, that business disguised as social events needed to be handled in pairs. Since John had given up dating, and his breakup with Bridget had been friendly, she was his best possibility. Besides, he doubted he’d have Richard Gere’s luck hiring a hooker from Sunset Boulevard.
LOVE BY DESIGN is available now on Kobo.
About the Author
Author of eight contemporary novels, including the award winning Champagne Sisterhood, Chris Keniston lives in suburban Dallas with her husband, two human children, two canine children, and now her kitty grandchild. Though she loves all her family equally, she admits being especially attached to her German Shepherd rescue. After all, even dogs deserve a happily ever after.
More on Chris and her books can be found at www.chriskeniston.com
Follow Chris on Facebook at ChrisKenistonAuthor
or on Twitter @ckenistonauthor
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Excerpt from LOVE BY DESIGN
About the Author
The Look of Love Page 11