There was a time when going to parties seemed glamorous. Getting all dressed up, fancy cars, red carpet events, paparazzi, celebrities, and delicious food. However, the novelty of it all was beginning to wear off for me and John didn’t understand. It was his life ambition to hobnob with the elite for so long that he has eventually become one of them. It had been fun, at first. I mean who doesn’t want to become famous?
Well, after 6 months of being treated like I am about to spark a scandal or drag some starlet’s boyfriend away from them or am going to beg or bribe one of the many managers or agents into “discovering me”, I want to be done.
No matter how many times I denied it, the assumption and stigma was still there.
“Ellery, we are going to be late.” John griped from where he stood just inside my front door.
I grabbed my shoes off the dressing table and stuffed my phone into my sleek black clutch.
Walking out to the living room where John tapped his foot and glaring at the clock on the wall I spun in front of him.
“It’s no surprise that we are going to be late when you make me change my dress at the last minute.” There was a slight bite to my purposefully sweet tone.
“Ellery, you looked fat. You had to change.” He shrugged as he hurried out the door. “Let’s go.”
He didn’t stop to escort me. Instead, he was already halfway in his car by the time I made it out, teeth grinding.
He didn’t pause to breathe as he launched into a spiel about all of the people he needed to meet and impress. It was when he started lecturing about my role in his evening’s plans that I interrupted him.
“Are you implying that I am only going tonight to shop for a new boyfriend?”
He looked at me like I was stupid. “Why else would you be coming? It’s not like we are in a committed, long term arrangement. Right now, in my life, you are the perfect eye candy to bring along to these sort of events.”
“Well, up until a minute ago, I was coming as your supportive girlfriend.” I spat out, wishing I could slap him.
John didn’t respond but kept driving.
I crossed my arms and glowered in the silence. He didn’t even say anything as we arrived. Yet, ever aware of his image he whispered, “Don’t you dare open your door.”
I didn’t respond or move.
When he opened my door, I glared at him. “I’m going home.”
“After the party, yes. For now, you will stay on my arm and smile pretty.”
Again, John wasn’t looking at me, expecting to be obeyed without question. I flashed my best smile at the photographers.
“John, if you say one more unkind thing to me, I will make an even larger and more dramatic scene than you could ever have possibly thought I would. “
John’s eyes darted around to make sure no one was noticing our delay. “Deal. Get out of the car.”
Gracefully I stepped out and scanned the people around me for a familiar or friendly face. None.
However, there were two men off to the side, dressed up in their tuxes looking at me in an almost speculative way. It wasn’t a leer or I wouldn’t have dismissed them immediately from her mind. Instead I was left mulling over them.
They must be famous since they were here and dressed well but I didn’t recognize them from previous parties. The muscular blonde one had a familiar feeling about him though.
John cleared his throat loud, holding out his arm for me to take.
I had a feeling I was going to need a lot of deep breathing to get through the night without ripping his head off. The carpet and the pictures seemed to take even longer than usual. Maybe it was because I was purposefully hanging back and staying out of any shots with John.
I was surprised at how many of the photographers called me by name to have my picture taken, without John. That had earned a few glares from him but it had made my night.
Once they were inside I could feel my shoulders relax. And it wasn’t long before John was off making rounds without me, simply stating that there were some relationships best cultivated without my distracting presence. For the first time in our relationship I was more than happy to let him saunter off.
Within minutes of finding myself free of her now ex-boyfriend, the two men who I had noticed outside were by my side.
The man with short deep red curls bowed, his face lighting up with an almost boyish glint of mischief. “Pardon me. We couldn’t help but notice that your amor left you alone and we thought now would be the best time to introduce ourselves. I’m Connor. And this is my lookout Killian.”
The blonde half of the duo wasn’t looking at me as he scanned the room, yet he was still smiling.
I gave a laugh. “How fortuitous of you. And a pleasure to meet you.”
“Isn’t it?” Connor laughed.
Killian paused in his lookout duties to stun me with an intensity that had my arms prickle with awareness. “I may be forward in saying so but I can’t abide how your date treated you when you arrived.” He looked back out at the crowd. It was as if his subtle glares were keeping the crowds at bay.
I felt my skin heat. “You heard him?”
Connor gave me a side hug. “Maybe a little.”
“And you came to talk to me because of it?” My heart sank just a little.
Killian once again focused in on my face. “You don’t deserve to be spoken to in such a way.” His dark green eyes glittered almost black.
I put on my brightest smile and held firmly to Killian’ gaze. “And that is why I broke up with him.”
“You did?” Connor broke in, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“The two of you witnessed the end of it, where I agreed to attend this party and no more.” I nodded. Saying it aloud made it all seem so much more final.
“You are a strong woman, Miss …?” Killian said.
“Ellery Walker.”
It was Killian who snared my attention once again as he stepped toward. “Truly a pleasure to meet you, Miss Walker. I do hope it is not the last time we are together.”
I stared as the pair walked away, already deep in conversation. And I still couldn’t figure out why he looked so familiar.
