But wait a minute. Maybe the fact that Adrian had changed his name meant he hated his father and wasn’t invited to the party. A girl could hope, right?
I realized three pairs of eyes were watching me. “Nora,” my mother said tensely. “Are you listening?”
I smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. I was lost in my thoughts.”
“No worries, Nora. It’s been a long time,” Frank Miller said with a smile. “I’m sure Rachel will be happy to see you.”
Mom gave me her ‘see? I told you so’ – look. I had more important things on my mind than a potential fight with Rachel. It was nothing in comparison to the major embarrassment a meeting with Adrian would be. For a moment, I considered asking Mr. Miller if his son was called Adrian Black, but then I pushed the thought aside. That would make Mom really suspicious and I couldn’t risk her breathing down my neck during the party. I didn’t want her anywhere close to me when I ran across Adrian. My stomach coiled tightly. Maybe I could just pretend I didn’t feel well and leave. I wouldn’t even have to pretend that much. I was actually feeling like I was going to be sick.
Mr. Miller stepped aside and opened the door wider. “Come in.” Mom and Dad followed him inside but I was frozen to the spot.
“Nora?” Mom raised her eyebrows at me. I gathered my courage and entered the house. The two story high entrance hall was deserted but I could hear voices in the other rooms of the house and it sounded like half of Harrington was here, but I didn't care who was here, as long as it wasn't him.
“Here let me take this from you and bring it into the kitchen,” Mr. Miller said, relieving my mother of her apple pie. He disappeared into the kitchen, his dress shoes clicking on the white marble floor, but returned less than a minute later. He led us into the vast living area with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the forest bordering their premises. But that wasn't what took my breath away and made me feel faint.
Adrian. There he stood at the other end of the room beside the enormous stone fireplace, dressed in a black business suit, a white dress shirt and a silver tie. He was smiling at his mother who hovered beside him. Then his green eyes settled on me. The smile dropped from his face and he looked every bit as shocked as I felt. Feeling Mom’s eyes on me, I tried to keep my face neutral. I wasn’t sure I was succeeding because my insides felt like they were turning to liquid.
As if on autopilot I followed Mr. Miller through the gathered guests, occasionally forcing a smile in the direction of a familiar face. We were heading straight for Adrian and his mother.
Please, let the ground swallow me.
Adrian’s eyes were on me the entire time, but I couldn’t look at his face. My gaze hovered somewhere in the empty space between him and his mother. Eventually we all arrived beside them. My parents exchanged meaningless pleasantries with Mrs. Miller, and all the while my throat was tightening painfully. A hand on my shoulder startled me from my descent into panic, and I glanced up into Mr. Miller’s face. He nodded toward Adrian. “That's my son, Adrian,” he said, with a smile that wasn’t as earnest and relaxed as it had been before. “I know it’s been a long time, and Adrian’s has lost a lot of weight, but you surely remember him?”
Bracing myself, I leveled my eyes with Adrian’s. His face didn’t give an emotion away. I wished I had his talent. It probably came in handy when he lured women into his bed. I dug my nails into my palms, and willed my lips into a smile, though it was the last thing I wanted to do. I wanted to laugh sarcastically, or burst into tears, I hadn't decided yet. But most of all I wanted to shout, so his parents would hear. Why yes! He's the man who's taken my virginity against a wall last night.
That would certainly go over well. An awkward silence followed. My parents and Adrian’s parents looked back and forth between Adrian and me. Mr. Miller frowned at his son. “You both live in New York. Have you crossed ways there?”
The moment I blurted “No!”, Adrian said “Yes.”
I wanted to slap him.
Another very, very awkward silence ensued, and I looked anywhere but at Adrian, or my mother who was watching me suspiciously. Even Dad seemed puzzled by the strange interaction. I really didn’t want him to realize that Adrian had slept with me. I could feel Adrian's eyes on me, practically burning into my skull, but he didn't say anything. The right choice considering our company, not that I wanted to talk to him.
“Shouldn't you know if you've met or not?” asked Mom and her tone was a bit harder than usual. She was definitely suspicious, and that was never a good thing with her. She could follow a trail like a bloodhound.