“And therein lies the problem,” Lina said as she stared into her wine glass. “He is mine, and he was when she decided to sleep with him. I’m not sure if I’m capable of spending an entire evening around her without confronting her.”

Chapter 17

17

Lina pressed her lips together in an attempt to blend her lipstick as she stepped back from the mirror. She looked about as good as she could, she decided. Her makeup brought out her large eyes and high cheekbones, and her thick, dark hair fell in soft waves around her bare shoulders. She wore a sleeveless gold-and-beige Mandalay dress, which hugged her slim figure and accentuated her curves. It was a perfect balance of sexy and sophisticated.

“Is everything okay in there?” Phil’s voice preceded the sound of his knuckles tapping the door lightly. “I have a gin and tonic out here for you.”

Lina opened the door. “I need you to zip me up.”

“Wow,” he said, his eyes traveling over her. “You’re stunning.”

“It cost you two thousand, seven hundred dollars.” It was four times more than she had ever spent on a dress, but after seeing her reflection in the dressing room mirror and hearing Diane’s urging, she decided to splurge.

“It was worth it,” he said.

She took the glass from his hand and took a sip as he zipped her dress. “I want you to point her out to me.”

“Lina—”

“I don’t want to be caught unaware.” She took another swallow from her glass.

“Please don’t get drunk.”

“You gave me the drink.” She felt strangely calm, the nervousness from the prior days gone.

“I realize that, but you’re gulping it down.” He watched her finish it.

“Thank you.” She held out her glass.

“I’m having a hard time gauging your mood. What’s going on in your head?”

“Nothing. You look handsome.” Lina ran her hand over the lapel of his jacket. In a custom-cut black tux, white shirt and black tie, his looks could rival a movie star’s.

“You’re making me nervous. Did you take something?” He tilted his head slightly as he looked into her eyes.

“No, I didn’t take something. What would I have taken?”

“Promise me you aren’t going to seek her out.”

She met his eyes. “I promise.”

He squeezed her hands. “Lina, I’m a partner. Half the guests probably work for me. You need to behave.”

“I promised. And what do you think I’m going to do?”

“I have no idea, but you seem off.”

“I’m not off. If anything, I’m on.”

“What does that mean?”

“Remember the girl you met all those years ago? The one we lost that night?”

He drew in a breath, squeezing her hands. “We didn’t lose her. She’s standing right in front of me.”