Always Be Mine: Sweetbriar Cove: Book Nine Read online

  Lila smiled, for real this time. “Don’t forget the fake friendship and compliments,” she added, just as they passed a group of society wives, all cooing how fabulous the other looked.

  “How could I?” Griffin agreed. “Plus, the humble-bragging about the new yacht and weekend pad in the Hamptons.”

  “Don’t you know, sweetheart, the Hamptons are over?” Lila played along, grinning. “Nantucket is the new place to be.”

  “Damn. I guess I’m way behind the fashions,” Griffin teased. “We better turn around and leave right now.”

  “Don’t tempt me,” Lila said, then caught herself. “This is all for a good cause, at least.”

  “You’re right,” Griffin agreed. “I’ll let them off the hook, for tonight, anyway. Now, where’s the bar?”

  He steered them across the room, nimbly stepping around anyone who looked like they might want to talk to her. Lila felt another wave of gratitude. What would she have done if she’d come to this event alone? Had to shine twice as brightly, fake double the smiles.

  Griffin ordered a whiskey, and Lila took a glass of white wine. Then they turned and took in the crowd. Elegant people in gorgeous outfits mingled under sparkling chandeliers, while wait staff circulated offering champagne and bites to eat. The theme of the party was casino night, so stations were set up around the ballroom with poker tables, roulette, and other games for the gliteratti to lose their fortunes—for charity—while a big band sang Sinatra hits.

  “It really is a nice party,” Lila offered. “If you like that kind of thing.”

  “You don’t?” Griffin looked over. “I thought this was your scene. Bright lights, big city.”

  “It was,” Lila replied slowly. “But honestly, all this feels like a lifetime ago.”

  “Me too,” Griffin agreed. He caught her disbelieving look. “Hey, I spent a decade in New York City,” he reminded her. “I’ve done my share of black-tie events.”

  “That’s right.” Lila remembered the photos she’d seen. “You used to go to this stuff with your—” She stopped, but Griffin finished for her all the same.

  “Ex-wife. Yup.”

  He took a long sip of whiskey, and Lila wondered if she could ask more. What the hell. It couldn’t make tonight any more awkward, right?

  “What was she like?”

  Griffin looked over. “Ruby?” He paused, looking thoughtful. “Kind of like her name. Bright, glittering, rare. She loved these things,” he said, nodding to the crowd. “Being the center of attention, the buzz of it all. She worked in fashion, so there was always a party to go to, new people to meet.”

  Lila processed this new information, surprised. “But you seem so . . .”

  “Not like that?” Griffin gave a wry smile. “Exactly.”

  “I was going to say grounded.” Lila realized what she said and laughed. “No pun intended.”

  Griffin grinned wider. “You mean, I’m putting down strong roots?”

  Lila giggled and shoved him lightly. “OK, OK. Maybe that stand-up career can wait.”

  They sipped in silence for a moment, and Lila felt herself relax. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad, after all.

  “Excuse me?” One of the event staff approached. “Some of our patrons are gathering for a poker match, if you’d like to join?”

  Lila looked to Griffin. “Sure, why not?” he said, picking up his drink. They followed her across the room. “Are you any good?” Griffin asked, and Lila made a face.

  “Terrible. I tried to learn on set a few years back, I wound up losing half my paycheck to the costume department.”

  He chuckled. “Lucky for the children’s hospital, then.”

  “You?” Lila asked.

  “I have my moments . . .” There was a glint in Griffin’s eye that Lila caught just in time.

  “That means you’re a shark,” she laughed. Griffin put his finger to his lips.

  “Shh.”

  Lila grinned back. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.”

  She took her seat at the poker table, along with a few other people. The staff member made the introductions, and Lila greeted everyone.

  “Lovely to meet you all,” she said, making sure to flash a friendly smile. The woman seated next to her took one look and gasped.

  “Lila! Oh my gosh, I’m like, your biggest fan.”

  “That’s very kind,” Lila said pleasantly.

  “Is it true you hooked up with Chris Kelton in the elevator at the Oscars?” she demanded. “And what about the rumors you had a butt lift? Your body totally changed between movies, but my friend swears it was because you signed with that trainer, the scary one, and did a hundred squats a day for a month!”

  Lila blinked. Wow.

  “A butt lift?” Griffin asked from her other side, sounding amused. “Please, do tell.”

  Lila gave him a look, then turned back to her new biggest fan. “No lift,” she said, “or squats. Those photos were actually airbrushed by the magazine. Nobody’s body actually looks like that.”

  “Oh.” The woman’s face fell. “It should say that somewhere. I tried the celery juice diet you did, and almost passed out at the gym.”

  Lila blinked. “I’m sorry,” she said, looking around for escape. A waiter was approaching with a full tray. “Here, have a crab puff!”

  She grabbed one for herself, feeling guilty. She couldn’t control what people wrote about her—celery juice?—but the people who followed all that made-up advice didn’t know that. They took a look at those flawless magazine shoots and thought that if they bought that mascara or hair serum, they could look just like her.

  Lila hated to be the one to break it to them, but her eye makeup only looked so good because she’d sat for eight hours getting lash extensions, and as for that serum? Her Beverly Hills stylist had tossed it in the trash before doing her hair.

  “None of it is real,” she added again, through a mouthful of pastry. “Seriously, the best thing you can do is just ignore all that stuff.”

  “Easy for you to say.” The woman looked her up and down, and although Lila knew she was supposed to be selling the glamorous Hollywood dream tonight, she couldn’t help leaning in to whisper,

  “It’s all Spanx.”

  The woman laughed, looking surprised. “Me too!” she said, raising her glass in a toast.

  Lila tapped glasses and grinned. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  The croupier began dealing, and Lila took her cards as Griffin leaned in to murmur in her ear. “Another drink?”

  “And by that, you mean a whole plate of these puffs? Yes please.” Lila beamed.

  He gave a chuckle. “Bluff the hand,” he added in a whisper. “These guys will fold in a heartbeat.”

  His lips brushed her earlobe, and Lila’s breath caught. Luckily, he stepped back and disappeared into the crowd before she could do something embarrassing, like pant.

  Or drool.

  “Your hand?”

  “Hmm?” Lila looked back to find everyone at the table staring at her. “Oh, one thanks,” she blurted, taking the card and staring blankly at her hand.

  Pull it together.

  Lila had to remind herself she was even playing the game at all. When Griffin had murmured in her ear . . . It was a good thing she could barely feel below her waist right now, because she was pretty sure parts of her would be burning up down there.

  Poker. Focus. Right, she could do that.

  Lila dragged her attention back to the game long enough to notice that she was holding truly terrible cards. This must have been what Griffin was talking about, when he’d told her to bluff. Well, he was right: she was an actress. Perhaps tonight she could perform in the starring role as somebody who actually had great cards.

  Lila sat back in her seat and took a look around the table. There was a guy across the table looking way too confident, in a preppy pinstripe suit. Lila took a casual sip of wine and caught his eye. “These games are so much fun, don’t you think?” she r
emarked. “I know it’s just for charity, but as Brad told me, there’s nothing wrong with a little competition.”

  “Brad?” the woman beside her gasped.

  “Or was it George?” Lila pretended to muse. “I forget. The guys ran a great poker game,” she added. “They had pros in to teach them for all those heist movies. They taught me everything I know.”

  The man’s expression wavered. He glanced at his cards again, and then, when his turn came around, he folded. “I’m out,” he said, shooting a nervous glance at Lila.

  One down!

  She smiled and slid another few chips into the center of the table. “Raise,” she said coolly, and watched everyone’s expressions flicker with uncertainty.

  “I’m out,” Spanx Lady said, throwing down her cards. “But you have to tell us more about Brad!”

  Lila smiled. Now she only had to reckon with the older couple across the table. He was more interested in checking out the waitress than paying attention to his cards, but his wife . . . ? There was a look of steely determination on her face. Which, Lila guessed, she would need to be married to that letch.

  “Raise?” the croupier asked, and Lila was just about to reply, when she heard a voice behind her.

  “Lila, it’s been a while.”

  She froze.

  Lila knew that voice, but she didn’t believe it for a moment. It couldn’t be . . . ?

  It was.

  The newcomer took the seat beside her, flashing everyone a charming smile. “Sorry I’m late to the party,” he said, sounding relaxed. “Let me guess, Lila here is already down a hundred bucks? She never did know when to hold or fold. But I guess we know where she stands on walking away.”

  They all laughed, but Lila could only manage a feeble smile.

  “I . . . what are you doing here?” she asked, her mind still reeling.

  He turned and gave her a casual look. “I’m a patron, too, don’t you remember? Or did you get amnesia? That would certainly explain your disappearing act on our wedding day, don’t you think?”

  Lila stared at him, her heart in her throat. A part of her had known she’d have to see him again, but she hadn’t been expecting it tonight.

  Justin Cartwright. Handsome, charming, and heir to the most beloved political dynasty since the Kennedys.

  Her ex-fiancé.

  10

  Griffin was trying to decide: was he in heaven or hell?

  On the one hand, the whiskey was fine, the band was playing classic Frank, and he had the most beautiful woman in the room waiting for him.

  Make that the most beautiful woman in the world.

  He wasn’t sure how he’d managed to keep from making a fool of himself, seeing her in that red dress for the first time. Because it wasn’t just a dress. That garment was a damn miracle. And Lila . . . ? She was a vision. A walking fantasy in red satin, sent to torment men like him, with her sensuous hips, and graceful shoulders, and soft lips . . .

  Hence the hell part. Because Griffin was trying his hardest to remember all the reasons she was supposed to be off limits to him. And coming up with nothing. There had to be good reasons, he was sure. Hundreds of them. Otherwise, why had he ducked away from her fumbled attempt at a kiss the other night?

  And what was stopping him from taking her out on the dance floor, pulling her into his arms, and letting the music do the talking—while their bodies spoke another kind of language?

  Think, dammit.

  Griffin waited at the bar, wracking his brain, but the truth was inconveniently simple. There were no reasons good enough to stay away from Lila, not anymore. Now that he knew the real woman beneath all the sparkle and glitz, she was nothing like the spoiled diva he’d thought she was, way back when he’d found himself on the cold end of that garden hose. And after seeing the way those vultures screamed and jostled her outside, Griffin understood why she’d reacted that way. If he’d been in her place, he wouldn’t have just turned on the cold water, he’d have brought a flamethrower.

  No, there was no denying it. Griffin was out of excuses—and in deep. But what if he was already too late and he’d blown his chances with her? She’d laughed off that kiss so easily it almost dented his pride, but tonight, he could have sworn there was something in the air between them. And not just the scent of a couple hundred fancy colognes.

  There was only one way to find out.

  He claimed their drinks and snagged a plate of those crab puffs she seemed to be enjoying, but just as he was making his way back across the room, he caught sight of Lila, back at the poker table.

  Something was wrong.

  He could tell right away, even though she looked like she was having a great time, smiling along to whatever the guy beside her was saying. But Griffin knew her real smile now, and the one on her face right now was forced and too bright. He sped up, cutting through the crowd until he reached her.

  “Lila.” He put down his bounty, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Everything OK?”

  She looked up, and he could have sworn he saw relief flashing in her eyes. “Griffin. Yes, everything’s fine,” she said lightly, taking his hand. “I was just catching up with Justin here.”

  Her smile was still stretched tightly. “Justin,” Griffin repeated, turning his attention to the newcomer. He disliked the man on sight—and not just because his presence had made Lila tense up. There was something smug about his perfectly groomed face, and as for the way he was looking at Lila . . .

  Griffin instinctively moved closer to her. It wasn’t desire or admiration on Justin’s face like everyone else they’d met that night. No, his eyes had a dark glint that was more like bitterness. But he masked it with a toothy grin, offering Griffin his hand.

  “Ah, so you’re the latest squeeze. I’d offer my congratulations, but maybe you’ll need my sympathies instead.” He chuckled, turning to the table. “It’s a brave man who tries to tame the runaway bride, don’t you think?”

  They all laughed, and Griffin could almost feel Lila flinch.

  Who was this asshole?

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself.” Justin must have noticed his frown. “Justin Cartwright. The fiancé.”

  “Ex-fiancé,” Griffin replied curtly.

  “How could I forget?” Justin narrowed his eyes slightly. “There’s nothing like a delivery boy breaking the news that your one and only has fled the state to make it a memorable day.”

  Again, the table laughed—and Griffin watched as Lila managed to smile along with them, like she didn’t mind the barbed comments. “Come on, Justin,” she said lightly, “don’t pretend you’ve been crying over me. We’ve all seen the Mexican beach photos. Where is your new friend tonight?”

  “At home. She hates the spotlight,” he added, “and who can blame her? I often think it’s only insecure people who crave attention like that. I mean, someone would have to be pretty broken inside to care so much about what other people think of them.” He gave Lila a pointed look that even the other guests couldn’t miss.

  Griffin couldn’t believe this guy’s nerve. If they’d been in a dive bar, he would have decked him by now, but in this fancy party, he knew he would only be causing Lila an embarrassing scene. So instead, he gave Justin a cool look. “That’s an interesting take, for a politician,” he replied. “You guys are real shrinking violets, huh?”

  Lila coughed, like she was trying to cover a laugh.

  “Aren’t you planning to run for that congressional seat?” the woman beside Lila asked breathlessly. “I hope you do. I voted for your father and your grandfather.”

  “Well then, I hope I can count on your vote. If I run.” Justin winked.

  “Good luck,” Griffin couldn’t help adding. “Third time’s a charm, right?”

  Justin looked pissed. “What do you mean?”

  Griffin gave a shrug. “Didn’t you try for that state senate seat a couple years ago?” he asked, recalling the news. “And the governor’s race? Hey, I’m not knocking it. P
ersistence is a virtue.” He offered his hand to Lila. “Ready to go?”

  “Yes.” She shot out of her chair so fast, she nearly knocked him down. “Lovely to meet you, everyone!”

  This time it was Lila dragging him to the door, almost colliding with the other guests in her haste to get away.

  “Lila—” Griffin started, but she didn’t even let him ask.

  “I need to get out of here. Now!”

  He followed, worried. Had that asshole gotten under her skin and dragged up painful memories of the past? He couldn’t imagine her missing a guy like that, but what did he know? Maybe the end of that relationship had broken her heart.

  They reached the lobby, and Lila made a beeline for the elevators. Her cheeks were flushed, and she hit the buttons impatiently, like she was about to break down, but when the elevator doors slid shut behind them, and they were finally alone, it wasn’t tears that came bursting out of her.

  It was laughter.

  “Oh my God!” she gasped, bending double. “I can’t believe you said that to him! Third time’s a charm! Did you see his face?”

  Griffin exhaled with relief. “So you’re not upset?”

  “No!” Lila cried, still laughing. “I mean, I wish we weren’t in public, so I could have told him exactly what I think of him, but ugh! Can you believe him?”

  “I can’t.” Griffin smiled, relaxing now. “What the hell did you see in him?”

  Lila caught her breath. “He’s not always like that,” she said with a rueful smile. “He can be very sweet, sometimes.”

  “That guy?” Griffin couldn’t believe it.

  She sighed. “You try having your fiancée leave you at the altar for the whole world to see. If he’s still mad, then I guess I deserve it.”

  “Nope. He’s just an asshole,” Griffin corrected her, hating that this stuffed shirt was still causing her pain, after all this time.

  Lila rewarded him with a smile. “Thank you, for saving me. There were too many people around to risk making a scene.”

  “My pleasure,” Griffin said honestly. “All part of the job.”

  “You’re on the clock?” Lila asked, and there seemed to be something more in her eyes.