He hooked his arm through hers, slowing his steps for her benefit. She’d spent an hour at home practicing in the stilettos and prayed she wouldn’t have to walk far by herself. If she took her time and didn’t lean, she could manage.
Thomas took her other arm. When they entered the country club she clung to Thomas while Tyler went to check in with the host in the foyer. She poked Tom so he tipped his head close.
“What happened with One?” She’d never outright asked before, knowing Tyler didn’t like to talk about it.
His face clouded. “Skank cheated on Ty. He came home and caught her in bed with the guy.”
“The guy she moved in with?”
Thomas nodded. “Tyler had to work with both of them for a couple of years until he finally quit.”
“Ouch.”
“Do me a favor, baby girl.”
“Anything.”
He leaned in closer and dropped his voice. “Make him look really good for me. Vamp it up, seriously.”
“You really hate her, don’t you?”
“If you get the chance to dance with him, knock ‘em dead.”
It moved her that he wanted vicarious revenge for his lover.
Then again, so did she.
Tyler finished and returned to them, offering Nevvie his arm. “All set, loves. Shall we?”
She smiled and carefully kissed his lips, not wanting to smudge her lipstick. “Let’s knock ‘em dead.”
Thomas knew a few of the people there. The irony that she had more in common with Thomas in this instance than she did with Tyler didn’t escape her. Tyler handled the introductions. The shocked looks were well worth the beating her feet took in the heels.
At one point Tyler was pulled away by an old colleague to meet the man’s wife, leaving Nevvie tottering on Thomas’ arm.
“How am I doing?” she whispered.
“Great.” He leaned in closer. “You realize you’re getting fucked when you get home, right? Dammit, you’re gorgeous.”
“I better get a foot rub before anything happens.”
“You got it, sugar. Uh oh.”
“What?”
“One at twelve o’clock.”
Nevvie watched an anorexic-looking woman and an older man walk toward them. “That’s her?”
“Yeah, and her sugar daddy.” The man looked at least thirty years older than the woman, with a beard and mustache, a few inches taller than Thomas.
“The professor?”
“Yep.” The couple approached, the woman pasting a false smile on her face.
“Well, hello, Thomas. How are you?” Nevvie didn’t miss the quizzical look shot her direction.
He tightened his grip on Nevvie’s arm. “I’m fine, Erin.” His voice sounded tight, strained. “Robert.”
The man forced a tense smile and tipped his head to Thomas.
“Where’s Tyler?” the woman asked.
That’s exactly what Nevvie wondered. This woman was approximately Tyler’s age, but looked at least ten years older.
She felt a gentle touch on her other arm. Tyler carried two glasses, one of punch, another of wine. “Here, loves. Ah, Erin. I wondered if you’d be here.”
Erin eyed Tyler, apparently not quite sure how to respond. Tyler handed Nevvie the glass of punch, Thomas the wine, and kissed them both. “Sweetheart, make sure the punch isn’t spiked, I didn’t sample it. If it is, I’ll get you something else.” He put his arm around Nevvie’s waist. “How is tenure treating you, Robert?”
The man looked even more uncomfortable, if it was possible. She’d left Tyler for this fugly dude?
“Fine. Um, congratulations on your writing career. I hear you’ve done well.”
“Yes, the public’s been rather kind to me. Forgive me, where the hell are my blasted manners? Nevvie, I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Erin, Robert, this is our wife, Nevvie.”
Nevvie smiled, not because she was pleased to meet them, but in response to their shocked expressions. That alone was worth her cramped toes. Nevvie released Thomas’ arm and shook hands. “Pleased to meet you.”
Tyler, knowing Nevvie wasn’t steady on her feet, kept his arm around her waist. She took a sip of punch, making sure the ring on her left hand was clearly visible.
Erin found her voice first. “Wife?”
Nevvie stepped on Tyler’s foot before he could answer. “We decided to make it permanent. The boys finally made an honest woman out of me.” She took another sip of punch to hide her smile.
Erin and Robert were again at a loss for words.
Thomas showed his evil streak. “Excuse me for a minute. I’ll be right back.” He kissed both Nevvie and Tyler on the lips, then headed down a hall toward the bathrooms.
The kisses once again confounded the other two, who exchanged a glance, not sure how to handle the situation.
Nevvie wasn’t letting this go. “What do you do, Erin?”
Erin was apparently still trying to wrap her mind around Nevvie’s “our wife” status. “Uh, I teach AmLit over at USF.”
“That must be very interesting. Oh!” She turned to Tyler. “Remind we when we get home, honey. I got an email this afternoon from your agent. He received a counter-offer on the movie rights to Damning Thoughts, but there’s nothing we can do about it until Monday anyway.”
He picked it up and his eyes bored into hers, crinkling at the corners. “Oh? Excellent. I wondered when we’d hear back from him about that. Thank you, pet.” He kissed her, pulling her tightly against him.
Erin cleared her throat. “Movie?”
“Yes, but you know how that goes,” Nevvie said. “Just because the rights get sold doesn’t guarantee they’ll make the movie. Hey, we still get paid regardless.” She looked at Tyler. “You promised me a trip to Paris once they sold,” she said in her best pouty—but not quite little slave girl—voice.
Tyler’s eyes never left hers and smoldered with amused humor barely held in check. “I thought you wanted a new Mustang. Did you change your mind again? You cheeky little thing. What am I going to do with you?” He playfully swatted her bum, but not hard enough to knock her off-balance.
“Thomas said he’d get me that for Christmas anyway,” she purred.
“Incorrigible.” He looked at Robert. “She has us totally wrapped around her finger.”
Curiosity got the better of Robert. “I…uh…thought you and Thomas were…uh…partners.”
“We are.” He met Nevvie’s eyes again. “This sweet angel fell in love with us poor blokes, and us with her. The more the merrier, right?”
Nevvie winked at Erin. “I’m a lucky girl. But you lived with him, so I don’t have to tell you that, do I?”
“You’re also very naughty, aren’t you, love?” Tyler teased. “Telling all our secrets.” He nuzzled her neck.
Erin had turned a lovely shade of crimson.
Thomas reappeared, his wine refilled and a glass of what Nevvie assumed was iced tea for Tyler. “Still chatting?” He kissed Nevvie. “Are you behaving or causing trouble?”
“What do you think?” she purred.
Erin and Robert looked on, speechless.
Tyler would not be outdone. “Thomas, love, did you promise Nevvie the Mustang for Christmas?”
He sipped his wine and slowly nodded, understanding something was going on and playing along. “Why?”
“Because now we have to take her to Paris, too. It looks like the movie rights will go next week after all. We’ve had a counter-offer.”
Nevvie met Thomas’ eyes and prayed that for once he was in tune with them. Bless his heart, he was.
He sipped his wine, buying himself a few seconds. “You promised her the trip, Ty. I promised her the car. We haven’t been to Paris in a while. Why can’t we do both?” He reached out and stroked Nevvie’s cheek.