Chapter Twenty-Three

Riley

Small party my ass.

There are about a hundred people in this guest house, most of whom I don't recognize, though I can tell they're all members of the upper class judging from the watches glistening on the men's wrists and the gems on the women's necks and ears. Plus they're all wearing fake smiles and holding their shoulders in that all-important manner.

I can even see the flashes of some cameras--not phones but professional ones, which means there are members of the media present. I don't mind. I'm used to them. But Lena does.

She's been tense and trembling beside me, which is a pity because she looks stunning in her mint green layered lace dress. Her hair is swept in a bun at her nape with some strands braided over her head. Pure gold teardrop earrings dangle from her ears, giving off the same sheen as the golden band on her finger, the one I finally got her as a replacement for the one on the show.

After all, if this party is to introduce her as Mrs. Riley McAllister, then she should look the part.

I squeeze her hand. "Relax, Lena. Everything will be fine."

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one they're staring at or talking about."

I have noticed guests ogling her, and some not in a nice way. I've heard them murmuring, too.

"Well, it is your party," I point out.

"Are you sure it's not hers?" She glances in Mickey's direction.

She's clad in a royal blue jumpsuit with a V-neck that goes all the way down to her waist and cut sleeves that reach the floor. Her large diamond earrings glitter as she throws her head back laughing at what someone just said.

"Well, she does look like she's having fun," I agree.

Lena pouts. "I'm never believing another word she says. She said there would only be fifty guests but there's obviously more than that."

"Obviously."

"And she agreed there would be no members of the media but there are."

"I'm sure she has her reasons," I say. "Mainly that she wants to show off. Didn't I tell you that's her favorite thing to do?"

"No."

"Well, now you know."

"Thanks for the warning," Lena mutters sarcastically. "Seriously, your stepmother is just... nasty."

She lifts her fists and clenches them like she wants to either punch or strangle Mickey.

I chuckle because I feel the same way most of the time. "I guess this means all thoughts of getting along are going out the window."

"Sorry." She puts her fists down. "I know she's your stepmother."

I shake my head. "Oh, please don't stop on my account."

Lena lets out a sigh. "I don't even know anyone here."

How could she?

"Even I don't--"

I stop as I see a familiar face headed in my direction. My lips curve into a grin.

"Hey." I greet Jerry with a handshake. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Oh, you know I don't miss Mickey's parties," he answers before turning to Lena. "You must be Mrs. Riley Boyle McAllister."

"Please call me Lena," she says.

Jerry offers her his hand. "I'm Jeremiah Lawrence. You can call me Jerry."

Lena's eyes grow wide. "You're Riley's friend?"

He touches his chin. "I think I am. At least I was last time I checked."

I snort.

"And you're Judy's brother," Lena adds. She glances around. "Is she with you?"

"Nope. Sorry, but she couldn't make it."

"Oh."

I find it strange that she didn't come. Like Jerry, she usually doesn't miss Mickey's parties. But I don't press the issue. I don't think she and Lena should be friends anyway.

"You really are more stunning in person than on TV," Jeremiah tells Lena with a smile.

Lena blushes.

I send Jerry a frown. "Watch it, Lawrence."

He quickly puts his hands up. "Just paying the lady a compliment. You know I like to do that."

"Not this lady," I warn him as I put my arm around Lena.

He steps back. "Okay. Okay. I'll go find another lady to work my charms on."

"You do that," I tell him.

He leaves. Lena rubs my arm. "Hey. It's alright. He was just playing around."

"I know," I say. "Don't worry. He's fine. This is how we usually are."

"Oh."

On second thought, I'm not sure. I've never been in a serious relationship before, so we've never been in this exact situation. But I'm sure he's fine.

Lena and I head for the refreshments table but Mickey intercepts us on the way.

She grabs Lena's hand. "Come with me."

She pulls Lena away. Lena throws me a puzzled glance over her shoulder, but I just shrug as I follow the two women. They stop at the landing of the stairs.

Mickey claps her hands. "Everyone, your attention please."

Silence falls over the room.

Lena tenses. I move closer to her and whisper in her ear.

"Just breathe."

She draws a deep breath.

"Everyone, I want you to meet the person who I'm throwing this party for," Mickey says. "My stepdaughter-in-law, or let's just call her my daughter-in-law, shall we? Lena McAllister, the newest member of our family."

The crowd breaks into faint applause.

"Oh wait." Mickey puts a hand on her hip. "That's not right."

She glances at Lena. "Lena, would you like to tell them, or should I?"

Lena shakes her head. She looks too nervous to answer.

"Very well then." Mickey turns back to the crowd. "Everyone, Riley and Lena are expecting. That means the McAllister family is about to get even bigger."

Gasps and cheers erupt from the crowd. Cameras flash. Lena forces a smile.

Mickey pushes her forward. "Why don't you say a few words to our friends?"

"What?" Lena looks at her in horror.

I take Lena's hand and squeeze it. "You can do this."

But she doesn't look encouraged in the least. She just stands there, stiff as a board. Her mouth is open but no words come out. The crowd waits.

"Just say something," Mickey urges.

"I... I..." is all Lena manages to say.

The crowd begins to murmur. I frown and place my arm over her.

"What my wife would like to say is that she wants to thank everyone for coming," I say.

I squeeze Lena's shoulder as I glance at her.

"Yes, thank you," she repeats. "And thank you to Minnie, I mean Mickey..."

The crowd laughs.

"For planning this party," Lena continues nervously. "And to Riley's father, Ha... Ha..."

"Harold," Mickey supplies before I can. "Harold McAllister."

"Harold," Lena repeats. "Thank you."

Afterwards, she runs off. I follow her.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Lena McAllister," Mickey says behind me.

The crowd applauds again and some of them approach me to congratulate me but I ignore them as I go after Lena.

"Lena!"

She doesn't slow down.

"You're not supposed to be running!" I shout after her.

Still, she runs. The only time she stops is when she bumps into a guest, a woman in her fifties. The glass in her hand tilts and the champagne spills on her beaded white dress.

Lena gasps at the same time the woman does. The rest of the people around them follow.

I frown as I realize who she just bumped into--Carol Crewson, the senator's wife.

Fuck.

"I'm sorry," Lena mumbles before running off again.

"What the hell?" Carol's dismayed gaze follows her. "What kind of an apology is that? Come back here and clean up this mess!"

"In behalf of my wife, I apologize," I tell Carol as I hand her my handkerchief.

She looks at me. "Riley, what kind of woman is your wife? Doesn't she even have manners?"

"She's--"

"We're so sorry, Carol," Mickey says as she joins us. "Why don't you come with me and I'll help you clean up. I'll even lend you a new dress and pay you for that one."

"Thank you, Mickey."

She ushers Carol away from the crowd. I glance around for a sign of Lena as I ignore the whispers and the questions around me.

Where did she go?