Gabe’s jaw clenched until it ached. Mia softly cleared her throat and then stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face.
“Would you like something to drink, Mr. Hamilton? I’m going to run to the ladies’ room a moment, but on my way back I’d be happy to get you and Gabe something.”
Gabe’s father looked at her in puzzlement a moment before recognition flared in his eyes. “Mia? Mia Crestwell? Is that really you?”
Gabe’s father had only met her on two occasions, when Mia was much younger, and only briefly. He was surprised his father even remembered.
Mia nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m working for Gabe now as his personal assistant.”
His father smiled and leaned over to kiss Mia’s cheek. “My how you’ve grown up. The last time I saw you was years ago. You’ve grown into quite a lovely young lady.”
“Thank you,” Mia said. “Now about that drink?”
“Scotch on the rocks,” his father said.
“Nothing for me,” Gabe said flatly.
Mia sent Gabe a look filled with sympathy and then hurried away in the direction of the ladies’ room. He couldn’t blame her. There was so much tension in the air that it was extremely awkward.
He watched her retreat and realized how much he wanted to be away from this place. In his apartment, behind closed doors, Mia in his arms, him losing himself in her over and over.
“So how about that dinner?” his father persisted.
• • •
Mia escaped into the ladies’ room in relief. Since she had no need of the facilities and it was just an excuse to escape the uncomfortable situation between Gabe and his father, she touched up her lipstick and surveyed her reflection in the mirror.
To her surprise, the door opened and Stella walked in, positioning herself at the mirror next to Mia. Stella glanced over conspicuously before reapplying her lipstick as well.
“So, tell me,” Stella began, still intent on her lipstick application. “Is the gossip true about Gabe Hamilton and the expectations he has for his women?”
Startled, Mia nearly dropped her lipstick and fumbled to tuck it back into her small clutch. She turned to Stella, taken aback by her brazenness.
“Even if I knew the details of Mr. Hamilton’s personal life, I would most certainly not betray such a confidence.”
Stella rolled her eyes. “Come on, give a girl the inside track. I’d love to get up next to him and if he’s the beast I suspect in bed, bring it on.”
Mia shook her head. “You’re here with his father.”
Stella waved her hand dismissively. “Money. But Gabe has a lot more and he’s younger and more virile. If you can have the younger Hamilton, why wouldn’t you go for it? Got any tips for me? You work for him. Surely you’ve had to deal with his past women at some point.”
Mia shouldn’t have been shocked, but frankly she was befuddled by the straightforward, unapologetic grasping of the other woman. Not knowing how to begin to respond, she simply turned and exited the bathroom. She shook her head as she headed toward the bar. She couldn’t believe the woman’s daring!
She ordered the Scotch and then waited as the bartender poured the drink. After, she turned, seeking Gabe and his father in the crowd. They were still standing where she’d left them, and Gabe looked anything but happy.
His face was cold, his eyes hard. It was as if he were facing an opponent he fully intended to wipe the face of the earth with.
She blew out her breath. She knew it had to suck to have your parents split up after so many years. Gabe had grown up in a healthy, stable home environment while she and Jace had struggled to pull the pieces back together when their parents were killed. In a way, Gabe’s parents’ divorce was much like losing them, even if they were still alive, because nothing would ever be the same again and he’d be forced to view his parents as separate entities now.
She grimaced when she saw Stella return to where Gabe and his father stood. The woman had no hesitancy whatsoever as she looped her arm through Gabe’s, turning up her one-hundred-watt smile as she blatantly flirted.
Her tinkly laughter drifted to Mia as she neared with the drink. To Mia’s surprise, Gabe returned Stella’s smile, one of those seductive, killer smiles that immediately put Mia’s back up. It was a smile Gabe used when he was on the prowl. A smile that told the woman there was no question he was interested.
What the ever-loving hell?
Mia stood a few steps in front of the men, unnoticed, as she attempted to control the vicious jealousy—and anger—that surged through her veins. She wasn’t a jealous person, she reminded herself.
To hell with that. She was insanely jealous and she wanted nothing more than to tear the blonde’s hair out by the roots. Was Gabe out of his mind? Was this the sort of woman who appealed to him? One clearly out for only what she could gain?