Charming the Gaffans

I turn immediately to face Jessica, the natural instinct to never face your back to your enemy kicking in.

"So it looks like the second assistant was a little gold digger after all," she says to me, the focuses on Cass and says, "Are you regretting firing me now. I would have been a way better wife and my dad could have helped you. I mean look at her, where did she even find such a hideous dress."

I feel Cass move up a smidge and inhale, preparing to speak but I speak first, "This gown is Oscar de la Renta and it's flawless. Mr. Conti doesn't need your father's help, he's doing fine on his own and he doesn't need a wife either."

"Wow, so you admit to just being arm candy, how low class of you," she sneers.

I shrug and say tiredly, "I don't know if anything I say will make sense to you and nothing you think makes sense to me. How about we agree to never speak in the future."

"Fine by me," she says, rolling her eyes. Then she bates them at Cass and says, "Cass, baby, how about we get a drink for old times sake. No hard feelings about work okay. I know our relationship was not right for an office setting."

I can't hide my shock as my jaw drops open. The nerve of her to speak to him that way and to think it's okay has me impressed and scared for her.

Cass pulls me into his side with his arm around my shoulder like he did earlier and says in a lower, threateningly calm voice, "Alexa has ten times the class and good sense that you'll ever hope to achieve, if I was to get married she would be exactly what I want. You may call Mr. Conti in the future, though I prefer you not speak to me at all, and you will always be respectful towards Alexa otherwise there will be consequences."

I don't have a moment to let his words sink in before he turns me towards him, his hand cradling my cheek as he leans in for a kiss. The kiss is demanding and possessive giving me no choice but to go along with it. I feel protected and secure in his arms so I let him lead the kiss wherever he wants it to go. 

The kiss doesn't last long but he sneaks his tongue in for a quick swipe at the end and it blows my mind, leaving me caught off guard as he pulls away. Luckily, he's holding me so I don't trip and give away that this was our first kiss. I'm embarrassed that he seems to be aware of my reaction because he keeps me tucked against his chest so my face is slightly hidden from view.

"Go away now Jessica. I want to be alone with my date," he says dismissively.

She must leave because he loosens his arm and steps back. I must be red as a tomato but he doesn't say anything.

"I'm sorry if I overstepped. I know kissing wasn't part of the deal tonight but I didn't know how else to deal with her. I've made it clear on a ridiculous number of occasions that I have no interest in her," he says, seemingly completely unaffected by the kiss.

I just nod and joke, "It's fine, but now you might owe me a silent auction item."

I want him to laugh at my lame attempt at a joke because that would shake away the sexual tension I'm feeling from the kiss but instead he says, "Sure pick whichever and keep up with the bidding."

"Mr. Conti, I'm joking! You don't owe me anything for one kiss," I say, like he's crazy for making the offer.

"I don't ever owe people so come up with something and let me know," he says, getting distracted by someone he sees in the distance.

I look in the direction of his eyes and see an older couple by the bar. I look back to Cass and say, "Well, don't let me stop you. I'll find Annabelle while you go talk to them."

He looks frustrated and says, "I can't talk to them."

"Why not?"

"I've tried to talk to Mr. Gaffan in the past but he doesn't like some of the people I've worked with in the past and no matter how much I've cleaned up my act, he won't give me the time of day," he explains.

I look back at the couple and study them for a moment then turn back and ask Cass, "Do you mind if I try something?"

He looks at me unsure but says, "Sure, it's not like I have any ideas."

"Wow, thanks for your show of faith. I'll wave you over if it works, okay?" I say.

He nods and I walk off, hoping the single girls don't swallow him up whole while I'm away.

I approach the nearly empty bar and stand about a metre away from Mrs. Gaffan. I spend some time weighing my drink options before the waiter finally asks if I want anything.

I say, "I don't know, what's good?"

"Ma'am, I only make good drinks. Just pick one," he says impatiently.

"Umm... I look around like the answer will come to me when I pretend to notice Mrs. Gaffan and say, "I'm sorry to interrupt but your drink looks amazing, what is it?"

She looks a little surprised to be addressed by me but says, "It's a Grand Melon Ball Drop, sweety."

"Ooo that sounds fun," I say excitedly. I turn back to the waiter and say, "I'll have that."

He rolls his eyes and gets to work.

I turn to the woman and say, "Thank you for the inspiration. By the way, I love your necklace."

She smiles and touches the necklace instinctually, "My husband bought it for me and I insisted on wearing it even though it doesn't match my dress."

"Honey, I told you you didn't need to wear it. You could have saved it for another night," he says in exasperation.

She smiles at him sweetly and I ask, "Can I ask how long you've been married?"

"Twenty five years," she beams, smiling at her husband who smiles back so sweetly.

The bar tender interrupts saying, "Here's your drink ma'am, goodluck."

I take the drink and leave a tip then turn to the Gaffan's and say, "To twenty five years!"

They toast with me which I take as a win. They aren't telling me to leave at least. I make sure to be ready for the sweetness of the drink based on the smell. If I wince, this won't work well for me

"Wow, this is great. Thank you for the recommendation!" I exclaim.

Mrs. Gaffan beams and says, "Oh honey, you are sweet. Almost everyone in my book club makes fun of me for liking this drink. You're probably the only one in the ballroom willing to drink it alongside me so I don't feel so alone."

"It's my honour. My name is Alexa, by the way, "I say, offering my hand to shake.

She shakes my hand and says, "Elizabeth Gaffan, but you can call me Ellie. And this is my husband, Burt."

He shakes my hand and corrects his wife saying, "Mr. Gaffan."

"Nice to meet you Ellie and Mr. Gaffan."

"So Alexa, I've never seen you at one of these events. How did you find yourself here tonight," Ellie asks.

"I'm actually here as someone's date," I explain, making sure not to give away who I'm with. "Oh, I forgot I was supposed to be getting him a drink too. I guess he'll have to fend for himself!"

"Don't keep the poor man waiting. Wave him over, maybe he can keep Mr. Gaffan company while we chat," she says. She puts extra emphasis on the name Mr. Gaffan making it clear she thinks it's silly he corrected her when she introduced him by his first name.

I pretend to look around the room before finding Cass standing in the exact same spot I left him. I wave him over with a dopey, love sick grin on his face. He hands his hands in his pockets as he walks over and it's the first time I see him tense all night. He's used to everyone falling at his feet and now he's walking across the whole ballroom hoping he doesn't get rejected in front of everyone by a man that has rejected him a bunch of times.

When he gets close I reach out my hand and he grabs it. I turn back to the couple and say, "This is my date and the reason I'm at this beautiful event tonight. Cass this is Mr. and Mrs. Gaffan."