That's How it Happens

9. Take on me

The party was a typical Drake event: over the top. Victoria always enjoyed showcasing what they could afford, and even a holiday engagement party couldn't be had without expensive champagne imported straight from France, the only true champagne and wines that she tasted and chose herself. They were elaborately planned down to the tiniest details, even the guest list. It should have been no surprise that Peter was standing amongst the crowd of guests; at least, it didn't seem that way to Ainsley. Leo stood staring at him from across the room, only partially listening to Ainsley speak to another couple about where she had been for the past five years and what she was doing now. She had answered that same question at least a dozen times. Leo was growing bored with it and the questions about why she wasn't married. Didn't these people have better things to do than judge her for wanting to be successful? What kind of era was this that they felt the need to marry everyone off? He was sure the girls came with dowries or something. He was starting to understand Ainsley's reluctance to come back and wondered if that was why she was so disconnected from her mother other than she was a little overbearing.

He heard Peter laugh, which dragged him back to his previous thoughts. What was this guy to Ainsley?

And...

What exactly was that schmuck doing at the Drake's party? Did he follow them there? Was he crashing it?

But he knew that wasn't the case. No, schmuck knew these people. He glided through the crowd with the same acknowledgment Ainsley had. These were their people, the ones they grew up around, and something about that made him grind his teeth.

"Are you okay?"

"What?"

Ainsley moved in front of him. If she were taller, she'd have blocked his view of the idiot, but she wasn't, and that meant he could keep his eye on him, which he had every intention of doing even if he had no reason whatsoever to do so. He looked down at her for a second.

"I asked if you're okay. You look..." Her brows furrowed, trying to find the right word. "Angry," she questioned, unsure. She had never seen him angry before - irritated, yes - Leo was one of those who rarely showed that emotion. Was he mad that she had to leave him alone while she got dressed in the tiny black cocktail dress her mother left? It wasn't anything she'd wear at home and clung to her, accentuating the curves that she hated. Leo had assured her several times that she looked fine, but he didn't count, nor was he paying attention. It was nothing like the reaction she had received the night of the gala, and something about that upset her, though she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the fact she felt ignored, but that made no sense to her either. "Did my mother say something to you?"

"What," he asked, not paying attention - it was back on the schmuk - watching him laugh pompously at someone. What did Ains see in this guy? He sounded like a hyena.

"If she did, I apologize. She's so..." Ainsley couldn't find the right word for her mother. Stuck up? Contemptuous? He looked down for a split second again and winced at the somber expression on her face, realizing he was creating it.

"Your mother is arrogant, but it's fine, Ains. She didn't say anything. She dropped me off in the corner with the help and left," he joked. He realized that was in poor taste and sighed. "It's fine, Ains. Parents aren't supposed to like their daughters'...you know. No worries, though. Bet is on, and I will make it happen."

Shaking her head, she pressed her lips together, trying not to smile - the bet was definitely not on.

"What? Don't think I can do it?"

"You can't even say it when it's fake," she mocked. He stared at her, one eyebrow raised. "Boyfriend?" He waved her away, and she laughed. "I'm starving," she said a few seconds later, sighing.