That's How it Happens

18. Kiss

Leo took a deep breath and sighed. Like last night's party and the one before, he wasn't sure what this one was for. If he were to guess, this was just another night to tally up who was the wealthiest. It most certainly did not have to do with who was more fun.

These events were boring.

Listless, he decided to play one of Ainsley's cards and blend in with the walls. Typically, the pair would play their game of guessing what that pretentious so-and-so was saying, but he and Ainsley weren't exactly chatty. Surprisingly, though, things had been quiet between them for a few days, which probably had to do with the fact she was running off every chance she got. He wasn't thrilled about it, but at least they weren't fighting. He thought about throwing in the white flag to get things back to normal, but something was off with her more than her new usual self, whoever that may be at the moment. He thought he knew her well enough to know she was hiding something from him - a few weeks ago, he wouldn't have any doubts - but he knew she wasn't going wedding shopping like she told him; she hated shopping. But thinking about what he thought she was doing gave him indigestion. Just the guy's name made him want to yak.

Instead, he was left behind to play the fantastic brother-in-law, at which he was pretty good. He was getting a little tired of golf, though. Besides, as oblivious as he seemed, Ethan was quite the observant bastard when it came to him and Ainsley. He constantly encouraged him to apologize for whatever their argument was over, even when Leo insisted nothing was going on between them. They were just a very private couple - so private, they didn't even speak, but Ethan didn't need to know that part.

Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing tray, Leo winked at the waitress and smiled as she blushed and hurried away. At least other women still liked him.

Ainsley laughed, and Leo turned to look at her curiously; that was her fake laugh, and it was atrocious. Usually, he did most of the talking, but these were her people, and she was being forced to socialize, which he found oddly satisfying, if not humorous. Bemused, he watched as she stood awkwardly in the horrendous pantsuit he had tried to get her to toss months ago. Like most pantsuits for women, it did nothing for her figure, but good luck telling her that. He could see how uncomfortable she was, and it was probably due to the fact her top plunged so low he could almost see her belly button. What was she trying to do? Give all these old geezers a heart attack? Where was her jacket? Wearing a fake wide-toothed smile to match the cackle, she dodged questions about marriage and kids like a pro, turning the conversations around as fast as one could ask. He wasn't aware she even had that many teeth. Frankly, it was a little terrifying, and he wondered if Ainsley knew that but decided he wouldn't go in and save her. Her face would hurt later, and he found something gratifying about that, too.

Sipping his drink, he looked around the large room, wishing he had something stronger. Champagne and wine were not his cup of tea. Aunt Kate talked to a group of men and laughed ingratiatingly at everything they said. She must have ditched her date, or maybe he had grown some brain cells and snuck out. He had seen her staring at her wrist earlier in the evening, where she had drawn a name in black ink. She couldn't even remember the poor putz's name. He didn't think it mattered at the ripe old age of 27. Personally, he had age limits, but to each their own. How she could pull leg like that at her age was beyond him, and if she hadn't been so expressive, he might have asked her for pointers, but as it was, he already had a hard time getting her to understand he wasn't fair game. She had caught him staring, too, and he quickly solved that problem by waving at some random Joe behind her. He didn't want to deal with that tonight. Chuckling to himself, he looked to the left and saw Liv beaming as someone told her how beautiful of a bride she would be. Surprisingly, Ethan wasn't glued to her hip. He must have been fetching her a drink, he decided. She gave a melodic laugh and waved her hand as if to say, "Stop it," yet the words that left her mouth were, "I know." She was something else entirely. Not too far from her was Victoria, listening to someone else tell her how beautiful Liv was and how she always knew how to throw a great party.