“So you’re the pretty young thing we saw Ian with at dinner that night,” teased Bradley in a booming, jovial voice. He was an attractive man – or had been before age and too much booze had given him a paunch and the sort of florid complexion that came from overindulging. “I was all set to come over and introduce ourselves but Claire here thought you looked a bit – er, occupied.”
Ian’s fingers bit into Tessa’s waist, betraying his annoyance. “Well, I appreciate your consideration, both of you. And you’re quite right – Tessa and I were rather intent on having our privacy that evening.”
He diplomatically excused them after a few more minutes of polite chit chat, murmuring in Tessa’s ear as they walked away, “Now you can see why I prefer to avoid them at these sort of events. That fat bastard Bradley never took his eyes off your breasts the entire time. Rather revolting, considering his own daughter is several years older than you.”
This time Tessa didn’t even try to suppress a shudder. “Revolting is the word for it, all right. Ugh, he reminds me of one of those fish with the huge lips. What are they called?”
Ian burst out laughing, not caring a whit that he instantly drew the attention of a dozen or more couples in the area. “I believe the species you’re thinking of is a grouper. And yes, I do see a vague resemblance now that you mention it. But if he dares to kiss your hand again, I’ll very happily shove my fist into those fish lips of his.”
She grinned, resting her head on his shoulder as he plucked two more champagne flutes off a passing waiter’s try. “I wonder how long it will take Claire to spread the news about me to Alicia. She’s probably texting her as we speak.”
Ian’s hand slid to her bare shoulder, giving it a squeeze as he murmured, “Actually, darling, I’m afraid Alicia’s already figured it out for herself. Stay with me now, all right? The little witch wouldn’t dare say anything nasty in my presence.”
But Tessa couldn’t prevent the cold fingers of dread that crept up her spine as she glanced up to meet the murderous glare of her former co-worker. Alicia’s normally pretty face was scrunched up into an angry, ugly expression, and if looks could kill, Tessa would have suffered a mortal wound by now.
As he’d been doing all evening thus far, Ian didn’t go to Alicia and her date, but let them come to him. Tessa noted that Alicia had paled significantly, and was still staring at her with a shell-shocked expression.
Ian quite deliberately chose to act as if there wasn’t the slightest thing unusual about Tessa being here this evening, and on his arm nonetheless. “Good evening, Alicia. A pleasure to see you as always. And of course, I’m sure you’re delighted to see Tessa again.”
Alicia’s mouth opened but she seemed to have great difficulty in speaking as she stared at Tessa in disbelief, taking in her gown, her hair, the sapphires.
Tessa, desperate to fill in the increasingly awkward silence, extended her hand to Alicia. “It’s good to see you, Alicia. How have you been?”
Alicia stared at Tessa’s outstretched hand like it was a coiled snake. “How – why are you here?” Her voice was a hoarse whisper, barely audible.
Ian swiftly interceded. “I would have thought that the answer to that was quite obvious, Alicia. Tessa is here with me this evening as my guest.”
Alicia was almost shaking with suppressed rage. “You’re dating her?” she hissed. Her fists clenched as though she’d love nothing better than to pull Tessa’s hair out of its intricately arranged twist.
Ian smiled, but it wasn’t a particularly pleasant expression. “Tessa and I are together, yes. In fact, she’s moved in with me.” Not waiting to see how Alicia reacted to that bombshell, Ian extended his hand to her date. “Hello, I believe we may have met at our office Christmas party. Ian Gregson – Alicia’s employer. Have you met Tessa before this evening?”
While Alicia’s date Ross exchanged pleasantries with Ian, Tessa dared to glance up at Alicia and almost recoiled from the icy cold rage stamped on the other woman’s face. Tessa was very well aware of how long Alicia had plotted and schemed to one day attract Ian’s attention and date him herself. Tessa also knew that Alicia had never liked her, had overheard the scathing comments and thinly veiled insults she’d made about her. She shuddered to imagine what horrible, nasty thoughts must be going through Alicia’s mind right about now.
Fortunately, Ian was very well aware of the animosity being directed Tessa’s way and suavely steered her away to greet another couple. As they walked in the opposite direction of Alicia and Ross, Tessa released a long sigh of relief.