Lovers' Dance (42 page)

Matt turned us around, reeking resignation. “Of course, Grumps.”

I had forgotten the way Grumps ruled the Bradley clan. Top dog Grumps. My night was going to shit.

Like the lamb to the slaughter, Matt walked us back to the free seats next to Grumps. Seating me next to his grandfather. Matt took his seat next to me as everyone else sat. At least Aphrodite was sitting with her parents on the other side and nowhere near Matt’s junk.

“Your jewellery is eye catching,” she said suddenly. I touched the necklace tentatively, worried I would lose it somehow.

“Thank you,” I replied. Manners. I was raised to act right.

“A gift from Matt, I assume?” she drawled with a knowing smirk.

I flashed Matt an uncertain smile, before nodding in confirmation. Matt looked upset for some reason. His eyebrows had lowered in a decidedly unhappy manner.

Louisa touched the intricate and impressive diamond necklace around her own neck. “He’s always good at picking jewellery.” Aphrodite smiled sensuously at him from across the table. “Aren’t you, darling? Remember when you surprised me with this piece?”

“No,” Matt said curtly. “It was long ago, Louisa.”

I couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. The expensive jewellery I wore made me feel cheap. Guess my earlier question had been answered. Matt obviously showered all his girlfriends with shiny stuff.

“About six, maybe five months ago, if I recall correctly,” she chastised, while Bella suddenly started up a conversation about cancer research which she valiantly tried to spread around the crowded table.

Matt glared at Louisa. I saw it when I risked a look at him from the corner of my eyes.

“Feels like forever since then, Louisa,” Matt said coldly, before dismissing her with another hard glance and saying to me, “I hope you’re famished, Madi. The food at these events is always sublime.”

Yep, our first date was officially ruined. I did try to put up a brave face though as we listened to the speeches, had too many courses of food, and conversed for a full twenty minutes with Grumps. Surprisingly, he hadn’t verbally pumped me full of lead. Maybe we were at a Mexican standoff at the moment.

Matt was so sweet, it was cavity inducing, and I couldn’t manage more than a weak smile every time he tried to make me laugh or flirted shamelessly with me, causing Bella to laugh and earning him a censorious warning look from Grumps.

He tried, but she was here, her presence a silent and unwelcome reminder of the type of women my man was previously romantically linked with. I wished this night would draw to a close soon.

After the final round of speeches, some quite inspiring by cancer survivors who were guests of honour, everyone started mingling in earnest. Matt had kept me at his side. Even though he knew I was bored out of my wits, he wouldn’t let me go back to our table. Grumps was still seated there, and I figured Matt secretly feared the two of us would end up in a verbal spat.

I yawned widely enough to swallow a car, although I did try to stop the darn thing. Discussing in-depth economic trends was something beyond my capabilities and downright mind-numbingly boring. It was a miracle I hadn’t lapsed into some sort of numbers coma.

Matt cleared his throat lightly, while I fought another yawn as I feigned interest and nodded at Margaret? Yes, I’m sure Matt said her name was Margaret…or was it Pam?

“Madison,” Matt drawled, finally taking pity on me when my mouth won a victory against my mind and another yawn was hidden behind my hand.

“Yes, Matt?” I blinked a few times.

He, totally not caring Margaret or Pam was staring at us intently, kissed the side of my face and set me free. “Why don’t you find Bella? I know she wanted to discuss some things with you.”

I flashed Margaret…wait, she definitely looked like a Pam. I flashed Pam a lovely smile and made my escape. Oh, God, if this was what dating Matt entailed, I’d sooner be single. 

<><><>

Louisa Gilliford shared a frustrated look with her mother as they watched Matt shower his girlfriend with a public display of affection.

“Nauseating,” Louisa muttered under her breath. How could he do this to her? Humiliate her in front people they knew by parading that…that classless girl as his date tonight. And a black girl, too. Was he out of his mind? Ever since the media had broken the story about Matt’s latest whore, Louisa had been beside herself.  She knew they were constantly on-and-off, knew during the times they weren’t together Matt would find himself some new and completely disposable woman to sate his needs, but it never featured in the press. He was careful to keep his indiscretions secret. Yet, here he was with her, proudly showing her off like his newest favourite toy. How could he do this to her?

“Darling.” Her mother touched her arm. “Don’t worry—”

“Enough, Mum.” Louisa voice cracked sharply. “I’m not worried about her. I’m worried about Matt.”

Laura Gilliford levelled her daughter with a no-nonsense stare. “Louisa, did you think it would be easy? Matt’s always been undecided about taking your relationship to the next level.”

“Thanks, Mum,” Louisa drawled with false cheerfulness. “It’s heartening to hear your confidence in me.”

“Darling, that’s not what I meant and you know it. I’m simply saying marrying a Bradley is a difficult feat to achieve, even if his parents are on your side.”

Louisa frowned slightly, then stopped, not wanting anyone to see her face any less than its usual perfection. Matthew Bradley. She’d been in love with him for as long as she could remember. He had loved her too, she was sure of it. He was simply confused, going through some unusual phase. He still loved her. When his mother had called her two Wednesdays ago frantic over Matt’s public antics, Louisa had been in a state of denial until she saw the pictures. That had been a bitter pill to swallow. Portia had called her again on Saturday, in complete control of herself now she’d had a few days to deal with the media storm around Matt. She invited Louisa and her parents to that dinner party, and warned Louisa tartly about what was expected of her as the future wife of Matt. Portia, like her own mother, had stated Louisa needed to ensure Matt remembered who he was and what she meant to him. Dinner had been a success in her eyes. Matt wanted her, he always did, and his arousal at her touch had proved he still desired her immensely. But, then he’d acted cold with her, and when she tried calling his office, that secretary of his relayed the message he was busy. Louisa despised that woman and now there was someone else earning her disgust. She thoroughly hated the black bitch on Matt’s arm, standing in her place. How dare Matt bring his latest whore here? The idea of them together made her sick to the stomach.

“Darling,” her mother called softly, pulling her from her angry thoughts. “It’s simple.”

“How so, Mum? Matt has barely spoken to me tonight—”

“Matt isn’t the problem, Louisa. That woman is.” Laura Gilliford glanced around to ensure no one was close enough to overhear them. “Get her out of the picture and Matt will soon realize you’re the one for him. Start right now.”

Louisa shot her mother a perplexed look. “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”

“Humiliate her, of course, in such a manner she’ll be forced to leave tonight, which will give you time to remind Matt you’re the only one for him.”

“But if she leaves, Matt will leave with her.”

Laura scoffed at her daughter. “Louisa, I’m certain you can figure out a way to make her leave the gala without Matt. You are my daughter, after all. What you need to do is reinsert yourself in Matt’s life, in such a way he won’t be able to picture a day without you by his side. You’ve been too soft in your approach, letting him dictate the terms of your relationship for far too long. You have the upper hand, not that woman. Both you and Matt move in the same circles. Keep yourself always in his company and he won’t be able to deny how right you are for each other.”

Louisa hid her scowl. “It won’t work if that little bitch is with him, and the fact he brought her here tonight proves he’s willing to be seen in public with her at his side, Mum.”

“It’s easy to alienate her from your circle of friends. Look at her, darling, she doesn’t belong. What you need to do is ensure Matt sees that she doesn’t belong. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes it himself. Honestly, he must be going through a phase at the moment.”

Louisa sighed, smoothing back her long blonde waves of hair. “Let’s go socialize, Mum. We’ve been standing here too long as it is.”

Both women fixed bright smiles on their faces and glided over to the nearest group of chattering people. Louisa spared one more glance at Matt. Her mother was right, she’d let him play around for far too long with no consequences. Within six months she would be his wife. She would make sure of it. Louisa Gilliford-Bradley. It had a nice ring to it. All she had to do was get rid of that money-grubbing tart leeching off Matt. Louisa smiled to herself, a plan already forming in her head…

<><><>

I ended up back at the table, next to Grumps. Awkward silences were starting to grow on me. They weren’t that bad, and it allowed me a chance to think about other things, like work and Matt’s broad shoulders. He looked good in a tuxedo. People were going off in organized groups to enjoy the sights of the Tower, not the Crown Jewels though. The Jewel House was out of bounds tonight. It was gone nine thirty, and I wondered how late Matt planned on staying. I needed sleep. This upcoming week would be as busy as the last. Matt, my handsome Matt, had gone on one of the tours after I assured him I’d be okay hanging out in the marquee. Bella was somewhere about. I suspected Matt had asked her to keep an eye on me when he’d pulled her to one side ten minutes before he went off with Adam and a bunch of other people.

Grumps tapped his fingers on the table top.

I peered at my fingernails.

He shifted in his seat.

I stared in the opposite direction and sent a small wave to Bella who was chatting with a lady wearing a vibrant-red dress. Didn’t she know this was a black and white ball? No respect for the rules that one.

“Ms DuMont, you don’t have to keep me company,” Grumps said dryly. “Not that it is much company. We haven’t spoken since you sat back down.”

I gave him a tight smile. “Please, Mr Bradley, call me Madi, and I’m sure Matt wouldn’t like the thought of you sitting here on your own. Where’s your nurse, anyway?”

Grumps grunted and shifted in his seat again. “It would be a sign of weakness if I had a nurse hovering over me all night. I am not weak.”

My face was sceptical, as was my voice. “How old are you?”

Grumps’s eyes flashed and his eyebrows wagged at me. Yep, just like Matt’s. We fell back into another awkward silence. What could I say to make him like me? Was it possible to make him like me?

I chewed my lower lip, then cursed silently when I noticed Matt’s stunning ex sauntering over. What the hell did she want? Junk-touching floozy.

Grumps smiled at her approach.
Huh?
I was Matt’s girlfriend. Why didn’t he smile at me like that? Maybe because I’d insulted him? The childish voice in my head whined that he’d started it first.

She drew nearer to where we sat, holding a wine goblet in her hand and an angelic look on her face. I couldn’t help the feeling of inferiority that curdled my insides. She was beautiful. I totally understood how Matt could be with someone like her. She was smiling at me, so friendly was the smile my own lips unwillingly curled up in a shy response. Maybe I should forgive her. I mean, it must be hard losing Matt. Maybe she was sad and the incident at the dinner party was her warped way of trying to hold on to something that was no longer hers. I would be devastated if Matt and I broke up. What would I have done in her situation? Hmm, not feel him up in public…but I might have tried to in private, down an empty hallway somewhere. I probably would’ve cried, begging him to take me back, to make love to me once more.

And just like that, I felt pity for Aphrodite. Being in the warmth of Matt’s love was an amazing thing, to have it taken away would be torture. She was wearing jewellery he bought her, an obvious cry for attention. Poor thing. I was raised Christian, not practicing at the moment, but that was between me and God. It was my Christian duty to forgive and forget. Holding grudges made you bitter inside and was bad for your health. Yep, I would forgive Aphrodite. Of course, I would need to have a little girl-to-girl chat with her about her behaviour. Slip into the conversation I’d grown up in Queens, where we didn’t stand for shit. Maybe quote a rap song so she knew how badass we were.

She was a couple of steps away, mouth opening to speak, when she stumbled forward. I reacted instantly, lunging out to grab her before she toppled onto Grumps and squished him.

“I’m so sorry.” She gasped as I jerked back.

“It’s okay,” I cried, staring in horror at my dress.

“How clumsy of me. I’m so sorry, Allison.” She sounded distraught.

“It’s fine.” I frantically grabbed a few napkins and started dabbing at my beautiful dress. My beautiful white dress was wet down the front. Red wine. It had been red wine in her glass. Red wine now staining my freaking too expensive dress. The stain would never come out.