Gordon's Dawn(21)

The party was a nightmare. Dawn was in hell. She’d told Gordon she was fine for him to leave her hours ago. She now sat at a table and watched him work the room. The more she saw, the further out of her element she felt.

A beautiful blonde draped herself over Gordon and gave an exaggerated laugh. Dawn giggled, but she hadn’t the first hour. She’d been filled with jealousy as women practically threw themselves at Gordon. Now, though, she saw Gordon wasn’t even remotely interested. He detangled himself from every woman with a flash of annoyance clear on his face.

Plenty of women had come up to her trying to intimidate her. Ha. Dawn had been the new girl so many times she knew how the bitches worked. The last woman had only just left, and Dawn was not only bored, but she was physically and emotionally drained. There were only so many times you could hear about how you were too fat to keep Gordon’s interest, or she was too young and inexperienced. The list of things she wasn’t that Gordon would leave her for was a big one. Even her clothes apparently were a reason why he’d leave her, as she wasn’t wearing this seasons ‘it’ designer.

Needing a drink, she got up and went to the bar. The young guy behind it wore a Caesars uniform. He came over to her with a huge grin. “Hi. What can I get you?”

“A creaming soda would be great.” Dawn had never been much for alcohol.

“We don’t have that here.” His gaze traveled up and down her, and she saw interest in his eyes, but she wasn’t even remotely interested. She may be annoyed with Gordon for not telling her who he was and the secrets he kept, but she loved him.

“Oh, what nonalcoholic do you have?”

“I have coke, lemonade, and Dr. Pepper.”

“I’d love lemonade, please.”

The guy nodded and got a glass and filled it and handed it to her. “So, your dad’s party is pretty rocking.”

It took Dawn a moment to figure out what the bartender was talking about, and then she realized who he thought Gordon was to her and burst out laughing. “Oh, that’s hilarious. Don’t let him hear that you say that. His age is a sore spot. He’s not my dad.”

The bartenders gaze narrowed. “He your boss or something.”

“Or something.” She giggled. Dawn probably should be offended for Gordon that the bartender thought he was her father, but she knew, with their age difference, people would assume things even though they looked nothing alike. Dawn didn’t think Gordon looked at all old enough to have her as a child. She gazed over at him and tried to see how someone like the bartender could think he was old enough to be her father. There was no white in his hair, he didn’t have wrinkles, and his body was in shape. To her, he looked a like a very attractive businessman in his early thirties.

The bartender tapped her shoulder getting her attention back. “Did I hear an accent?”

“Yeah.”

He leaned in closer. “I can hear you now. Where you from?”

“I’m Australian.”

“Great, how long you here? Do you need someone to show you around?”

Holy crap, was the bartender chatting her up? What did she do? She should have told him she was Gordon’s wife. Taking a sip of her drink trying to calm herself, she choked when it tasted like lemons. “Um, this tastes like lemons with sugar.”

“You ordered a lemonade?”

“Yeah, I know, but… um, where I’m from, that would be… uh, a sprite or a similar flavor.”

The bartender winked at her. “You’re not in Australia anymore.” He leaned over the bar. Crap, crap, he was flirting with her. “You didn’t answer any of my questions. You don’t look like the type to be at this party, uh, going from what I’ve seen.”

Taking a sip of the lemonade, which tasted okay, it just wasn’t what she was used to, she rushed out. “Oh, I don’t fit in, but Gordon, the birthday boy, is my husband.”

Laughing, this time because of the guy’s shocked face. Dawn told herself she shouldn’t find it funny, especially when she knew it was one of the things that bothered Gordon, and the guy had been flirting, but she couldn’t help it. She wasn’t bothered by the age difference. That wasn’t what made them so different. To her, it was things like this party and the people here. She understood why Gordon was so hesitant to say who he really was now. Most of the people she’d met tonight seemed like greedy snobs.

The bartender left without even saying goodbye to serve other people, and after a good ten minutes, came back over, his face very sheepish. “I’m sorry. I was rude. You just look so young and, well…”

Smiling at him Dawn shook her head. “No, I know how different I look from all these people, and there is a decent size age gap. You should see me when I’m not in this.” She pointed to her new red dress. “I’m a bit of a Goth girl, uh, woman.” The guy gave her a forced smile, and Dawn knew she wouldn’t get anything else out of him. Great, that was probably the best conversation she’d had all night. Relaxing back against the bar, she closed her eyes.

“I’ve never seen Gordon like this.” Turning, she opened her eyes toward the voice she’d heard a couple of times now, and stared at David. Dawn wasn’t sure she liked him. He looked at her like she was a puzzle he couldn’t figure out.

“Like what?”

“He hasn’t kept his gaze off you all night, and he smiles when he catches sight of you.” David’s brows furrowed. “I don’t understand. You’re nothing like what I expected or even thought he would marry. You’re nothing like his type.” His gaze focused on her body, and she knew he was referring to her size and height.

Even his best friend was an arsehole. Leaning in close to him, she was angry and sick of the comments, and to tell the truth, she expected better from one of his closest friends. “Fuck off,” she growled and turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm stopping her.

“You don’t care what they are all saying, do you?”

Raising her eyebrow, she frowned. “Should I?” She shook out of his hold and eased away from him.

“A year ago, I would have said yes, but now, no. I’m surprised steam didn’t come out of Gordon’s ears when you were talking before to the bartender. He’s never been the jealous type. He’s also never defended anyone like he has you all night.”

“Against who?” She folded her arms over her chest.