#Chapter 13: Something to Talk About

A loud scraping jolted me out of my embarrassment. Cathy was scooting her chair away, looking unhappy.

"Don't move too far, Cathy," I said, putting out a hand. There was no way I was going to let anyone sideline my friend, no matter how good he smelled.

But oh, did he smell amazing.

"Charles, there's room here!" A musical voice called from the next table. Jennifer had shifted around, and a half-dozen pairs of bright, beautiful eyes were smiling at the man next to me. "Come on, it's like old times at this table."

She smiled a bewitching, teasing smile that made even me sit up straighter. Charles, however, seemed unaffected. He bowed slightly, but called to the table over the music, "I need to talk to my friend Elena, and to thank Cathy for this exquisite party."

He sat down between us and turned his gaze to mine, making my stomach clench up.

I felt stupid. I'd seen it everyday for the last week. Why didn't it get easier?

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Charles asked, looking amused.