A Convenient Arrangement(64)

Didn’t Gwen know that?

But how could she know? He hadn’t spoken to her, he hadn’t told her, so why would she know? He maintained his smile for the photographers as Mischa pressed closer to his body and they turned for the flashing lights of the cameras. His gaze swept over the spot Gwen had stood just a moment before. Amanda, their PR person, appeared at his side to filling him in on who was here and who he needed pictures with. He heard Amanda’s words but wondered where Gwen had disappeared to. He had to tell her, really needed to explain.

“Excuse me,” he extricated himself from Ishy’s grip and left both her and Amanda behind in the crowd. The kitchen. Most likely she was in the kitchen conferring with Nina. Wouldn’t that be grand? He’d get to see them both.

He made it halfway across the room before he realized that in the thick crowd and pulsing neon lighting, he wasn’t exactly sure which direction he was headed any more. His younger brother, Anthony, sauntered toward him from one of the bars, a drink in hand. “Brother, this is really something,” he said. “I’m beginning to believe this app might be a big deal.”

“Beginning? Come on, until you and Shelly reconciled, you would have been all over this app.”

Anthony nodded. “True, probably true, but I’ve seen the light, and I can tell you it’s much better on the other side.”

“Speaking of the other side, where’s Shelly?”

“Mrs. Bello wasn’t feeling so great, so Shelly is staying at our place with her. They both send their congratulations, and Shelly sends her thanks that you haven’t asked me to beta test the app.”

Leo smiled a wan smile, but his eyes darted past his brother to scan the crowd. He looked back over his shoulder. Amanda and Ishy were hot on his heels. He wouldn’t break free of them or his commitments a second time. A glance ahead told him Todd and Ilko were also closing in on him from the far side of the room. Todd wore a hat that looked like a panda bear’s head and Ilko’s dress made her look like Raggedy Ann. “You know where the kitchen is?”

Anthony spun and pointed toward the far corner. “Pretty sure that’s it. I just saw Gwen speeding that way, so I’m guessing—”

“Thanks.” Leo tapped his brother on the upper arm. Anthony started to speak but Leo was gone, ducking and weaving through the crowd, smiling as people congratulated him. Many wore a look of adulation, as if he were spinning gold from thin air. He was pretty used to getting that look from people.

That look was nothing like the one he got when he rounded the corner to the kitchen. Nina saw him first, her eyes flashing fire. She stood with Gwen in the long narrow hall that led to the restrooms and the kitchen. Nina had her arm around Gwen, who had one hand pressed to her forehead.

Leo edged toward them.

“Not a good time, Travati.” Nina shot him a glare that could have set his hair ablaze. “We’re trying to sort out a problem with one of the appetizers. Maybe you could give us a moment?” She was lying, obviously. She was attempting to save Gwen from the humiliation of looking like a whipped puppy in public due to Leo’s thoughtlessness.

“Right.” Leo took a step back, feeling like even more of a jerk. His gaze landed on Gwen. As if she could feel his eyes on her, she glanced up from the floor at him. In that light, the glow from the kitchen spilling into the darkened hallway, he could see her naked look of pain and anger and surprise, simple surprise. It hit him that she was also the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

She gained control of her expression and straightened as her hand fell away from her forehead. “Leo, do you need something? Is there something…” She paused, took a deep breath. “Is there anything wrong with the party?”

“No, the party…” He stepped forward again, “Gwen, the party is—” What could he say? He felt like a cruel, shallow ass. “Nina, can we have a minute?”

Gwen nodded. Nina backed toward the kitchen, flashing Leo a disdainful look. Gwen turned and walked further down the hall to a side passage, where it was wider and quieter.

“I’m sorry,” Leo started. “You have to know that I brought Mischa for appearances, for business. Having her with me fits the image that I need to project for the launch.”

Gwen crossed her arms over her chest. He could appreciate how hard she tried to look uncaring and professional and stoic. He might have bought it if he hadn’t spent the last couple of months making love to her, practically living with her, and falling in love with her.

His heart jolted. Falling in love with her. He cleared his throat. “You can be certain there’s nothing between me and Mischa—”