I did not turn around, instead simply turning my face in Thomas's direction. If I were younger, I might have stuck my tongue out at him, but I was more mature than that...at least at the moment. I gave him a victorious and smug smile when he dropped his hand from my arm. I did not dare to rub the place where his hand had been; I was sure it was red, and the spot suddenly felt cold as the air hit it for the first time in a couple minutes. Instead, I temporarily let loose of Chelise's harness to grab both sides of my dress so I could curtsy in his direction. I was very careful not to spill my wine.
"I can't say it was a pleasure talking to you," I said. "Run along now before you get hurt."
He said nothing, but I heard his shirt rustling as he looked from me to the one who had spoken. With a scoffing sound in the back of his throat, he walked away, finally leaving me to turn toward my...savior. I hesitated to use the word, but it was a good descriptor at the moment. I doubted Thomas would have gone away otherwise.
"Thank you," I said, taking hold of Chelise's harness again.
"You're welcome," Thaddeus said.
I did not know what else to say, so I simply nodded my head.
"I can relate to him." He stepped closer to me so I could take his arm. After swallowing the rest of my wine, I put it on the tray of a passing waiter before slipping my arm through Thaddeus's, my hand resting lightly on the crook of his elbow.
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
"You've said that to me."
"Ah...yes." He started walking, and I tried my best to follow his long stride. "I'm still sorry about that. I was really rude and out of line."
I could tell his hand twitched only because I was holding his arm. He was in his business mode, which meant as little movement as necessary. Thaddeus was also terribly tense; I could tell he hated this whole party deal just as much as I did. While both of us could act well enough at these types of functions, I knew him better by this point. This was a necessary event to encourage continued good relations with all of Andino Incorporate's partners; that did not mean he had to enjoy being here. Lifting my fingers one by one on his arm, I moved them to the beat of the music being played by the quartet. My movements were so tiny, I doubted anyone could see them, but Thaddeus felt them. When the tension in his muscles decreased slightly, I squeezed him once then loosened my grip.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"To find Joe."
"What, tired of my company already?" I moved my eyes up toward his face. Perhaps I was making eye contact, or maybe I was looking at his nose. I would never know. "I don't know whether I should be offended or not."
"I'm unsure whether I could ever tire of your company," he said softly. It was so soft, I almost missed it.
But of course I had excellent hearing, which meant I did not miss it. Which meant it took everything in me to keep walking forward. I wanted to stop and gawk at him, but I knew better than to do that in public. I did squeeze his arm again, though somewhat unintentionally as I lost my footing in the three-inch heels I had on my feet. Wearing this particular pair had been Kat's idea, and I wanted to kill her. I usually carried myself perfectly fine in heels, but Thaddeus speaking whispers of truths in my ear was causing me to forget things which I previously could do so easily.
Like walking.
And breathing.
You know, the essentials.
"Are you going to give a speech?" I asked.
"Unfortunately."
"If you recognize me for my part in this, I swear I'll slap you," I said, only half-joking.
YOU ARE READING
Learning How to Bend
RomanceLiliana "Lily" Hamill is just your average working woman. 5'5" with wavy brown hair the color of milk chocolate and blue eyes, she's never been described by anyone as "a catch." She's pretty enough, what with her athletic frame and well-proportioned...