Chapter 8
Emma tried very hard not to be nervous. She failed utterly, but she did try. Her black cocktail dress fit her snugly and showed off her legs nicely. She knew she looked good and Nikos’ look of appreciation hadn’t been lost on her. It wasn’t going to the party that made her stomach writh like she had swallowed a barrel of snakes. It was leaving her stash behind since there was no place in her little black dress and matching clutch for the wad of cash.
You’ll be fine. It’s just a fancy party. There aren’t any boogie men hiding in the closet, she reminded herself silently, holding fiercely to Nikos’ arm as they joined the throng of people entering the brightly lit room. Emma couldn’t stifle the small gasp as they made their way into the enormous ballroom at the Hotel Grand Bretagne. The historic building oozed luxury and opulence. She couldn’t help but feel a little burble of excitement at being in a room like this in her designer gown with a man she adored.
Nikos led her around the room, introducing her as they went. He felt a primal surge of pride at having Emma next to him. He enjoyed the admiring glances and whispers even though he gave no sign of noticing them. He hadn’t had a date for any of the official functions for years- not since Cassandra.
As if he had conjured her, Cassandra, on Dimitris’ arm, appeared in front of them. He felt Emma’s grip tighten ever so slightly on his arm but her bright smile stayed in place.
Cassandra was dressed in a barely there gown of deep blue. Her breasts spilled out of the top and her ass was only one slight breeze away from being on display. She looked like she just walked off the runway and utterly comfortable with the glances and stares she was receiving from men and women alike. Emma wondered why she felt the need for the attention.
Nikos did the introductions for Dimitris’ sake and they stood in a small group talking of nothing and watching other people mill about. The men soon lapsed into talking shop, and Cassandra maneuvered her way closer to Emma.
“How do you like Athens,” Cassandra asked leaning in close and speaking so quietly that Emma barely caught the words.
“Oh, it’s lovely. Very metropolitan,” Emma replied in a normal tone and tried to reestablish some personal space between them. She hated being crowded and wondered how she could get Nikos moving again. There was something that she decidedly did not like about Cassandra.
Cassandra either didn’t take the hint or didn’t care. She pressed closer to her and breathed into her ear, “You must be glad to be away from all the grime and dust at the vineyard. I always told Nikos that he couldn’t expect me to stay beautiful if all I had to work with was dirt and grape juice. I can suggest a spa if you like. It looks like it would be just the thing for you.”
Emma schooled her features into a mask of indifference. Cassandra was deliberately trying to push her buttons. She, of course, was succeeding, and Emma had a fleeting glimpse of punching the luscious beauty in the nose. Instead, she smiled faintly. “How very kind of you, Cassie.” She flicked a glance over Cassandra’s scrap of fabric that was claiming to be a dress. She leaned in just slightly, using Cassandra’s own tactic. “If you need the name of someone who can finish that dress, just let me know. I came across a brilliant tailor yesterday. Be careful, dear. One wrong move and everything will be on display. Not that they haven’t all seen it before.” Emma gave a slight shrug of her shoulder and slid in beside Nikos, threading her arm through his.
“Let’s go see the gardens and grab a drink.” Nikos looked down at her and gave her a grin that made her stomach flip. She couldn’t help but grin back. He was in high spirits tonight and it was infectious.
“Alright. It is a bit hot in here. Dimitris, do…”
Emma cut across him before he could extend the invitation to the other couple. “I am sure Cassandra will find the gardens too drafty,” she paused and flicked another glance over the scantily clad Cassandra. “It was a pleasure meeting you Dimitris.” She gave Nikos’ cousin a sunny smile and walked off, towing Nikos by the hand. She heard his low rumble of laughter as they wove their way through the crowd toward the huge French doors that opened onto a sprawling green lawn.