Chapter 84
711words
'I hate to say it Nicholas, but she's too pretty. Even for you."
He flashed her a grin, before slipping his arm around my waist.
'Oh—I'm well aware."
"And much nicer than all those trashy girls you're usually with!" Evelyn continued, oblivious to the pained look that flashed across Nicholas's face. "Honestly, I think she's the only one who hasn't tried to grab my husband to take a selfie!"
Nicholas endured the comment with a thousand-yard stare, while the mayor chuckled softly and stepped forward to take my hand. "You'll have to excuse my wife. Whenever there's a development in Nicholas's love life, she feels the need to share her uncensored opinion, no matter how inappropriate."
His wife raised her hands apologetically as the mayor gave me a thoughtful frown. "Avery Winchester," he repeated, trying to place the name. "I think I've heard of a publicist by that name. Any relation?"
I was about to instinctively deny it, but Nicholas swiftly intervened. "They're one and the same. Avy was my publicist. She still runs a firm uptown."
My heart skipped a beat, and I shot Nicholas a quick look. I was surprised he was being so open about our connection. I had expected him to downplay it, to suggest I was an heiress dabbling in public relations as a hobby. But Nicholas stared back at me with an unfamiliar smile, one that was oddly proud. He winked when he noticed me staring and pulled me closer with that same grin. It was then that I realized something I never thought possible—he was proud to be seen with me. In this room of congressmen, actresses, and royalty, he considered me the prize.
On closer inspection, his smile seemed delightfully smug. I dropped my gaze, blinking incredulously at the floor, while both the mayor and his wife exchanged a knowing smile. They had seen Nicholas with women before, but never like this.
"Well, the two of you make a lovely couple," Evelyn murmured, giving my hand an affectionate squeeze as they prepared to leave. "We'll have to invite you over to the estate sometime."
"That would be wonderful," I replied shyly, managing my first coherent sentence since their arrival. "It was such a pleasure meeting you both."
"Likewise," the mayor said, clapping Nicholas on the shoulder with a wink. "You did good, kid. We'll see you soon."
'Take care, George."
They left to make the rounds and Nicholas turned his eyes back to the fight, but I was still frozen in place. I knew Nicholas saw me staring at him, but he refused to make eye contact until I actually stomped down upon his foot.
'Ow—shit! What did I tell you about breaking my toes?"
I said nothing. Merely folded my arms across my chest and waited. It only took a second for him to crack. The tops of his cheekbones flushed pink, and he shifted self-consciously.
'Those two have always been a little over-enthusiastic. Blame it on winning the election by eighty-seven percent. Feel free to ignore everything they said. Especially Evelyn."
I rolled my eyes with a grin.
'You think I don't know every person on your long list of conquests? I'm your publicist, remember? I probably know them better than you."
Nicholas squirmed uncomfortably.
'Then why are you looking at me like—"
'You told them I worked in public relations?" Even as I said the words, I still couldn't believe they were true. 'You told them I had a firm uptown? Why would you do that?"
He blinked down in surprise, before his lips twisted up in an incredulous smile.
'Avy, you realize that of all the people in this room, some of the most powerful people in the world, you're the only one who's discovered how to make an honest living?"
I glanced around, trying to absorb the rather massive implication of that remark.
'No..." I began doubtfully.
'Yes."
I blinked again, taking stock.
'That's the First Minister of Wales, that's the Chairman of the FCC..."
His lips turned up with a smirk. 'That's what I'm saying..."
