A question directed at Phil moments later had the conversation turning to lacrosse, and Lina used it as an excuse to separate Diane from the group. “Did you see her staring at me during the ceremony? As if I was the one intruding? There is no way I can go this entire evening without saying something to her.”

“Let her stare. You’re clearly the one he wants. This is the longest he’s gone without touching you since the ceremony began, and that’s only because his arms aren’t long enough. The man can’t keep his hands off you. That dress was worth every penny.”

Lina’s gaze shifted to Phil, who was in the midst of telling a story that had the attention of the group around him. Diane was right. She was the one he wanted, but that didn’t make Kim’s presence any more palatable. He said something that elicited shouts of laughter from the group around him, and then he was excusing himself and crossing to her and Diane. “Everything okay?” He ran his hand along the small of Lina’s back to her hip.

“We’re fine,” Diane assured him. “Just a little girl talk.”

“Do you need the ladies’ room?” His eyes were on Lina.

“No.”

“Why don’t you walk with me?”

“No thanks,” Lina said, and when he hesitated, she laid her hand on the lapel of his jacket and leaned into him, brushing her lips over his cheek. “I’ll behave. I promise.”

He caught her lips in a slow kiss. “I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again before walking off.

“That was perfect,” Diane said.

“What?” Lina didn’t take her eyes from Phil, watching him wind his way through the crowd, patting a few backs before exiting the room and disappearing from sight.

“She was watching when he kissed you.”

Lina slid her half-eaten plate towards Phil, knowing he would finish the remaining food. The band was surprisingly good, the venue was beautiful, and if it weren’t for the presence of his ex-mistress, Lina probably would have been enjoying herself. But with Kim Ryan two tables over, Lina felt a rising anger that seemed to increase with each glass of wine.

“No, thank you.” Phil covered Lina’s glass when a waiter attempted to pour her more wine.

“What are you doing?” Lina frowned at him.

“You’ve had enough.”

“What I’ve had enough of is her staring at you,” Lina whispered. “And she had the nerve to smile at me twice.

“Stop looking over there.”

Lina couldn’t seem to stop herself. And in addition to looking at her, she was imagining her having sex with Phil. She took a deep breath and reached for her wine glass, but then remembered it was empty. “I want another glass.”