The two of us shook hands in that overly-effusive way women do when one is trying to set the other at ease. Then she turned back to Nick with a glowing smile.
“I hate to say it Nick, 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 so much nicer than all those trashy girls you’re usually with!” Evelyn continued, completely oblivious to the pained look that flashed across Nick’s face. “Honestly, I think she’s the only one who hasn’t tried to grab my husband to take a selfie!”
As Nick died a million deaths, the mayor chuckled softly and stepped forward to take my hand. “You’ll have to excuse my wife. Whenever there’s a development in Nick’s love life, she feels the need to share her uncensored opinion. No matter how inappropriate that might be.”
His wife lifted her hands apologetically, as he gave me a thoughtful frown.
“Abigail Wilder,” he repeated, trying to place the name in memory. “I think I’ve heard of a publicist by that name. Is there any relation?”
I was about to instinctively deny it, but my darling boyfriend quickly intervened.
“They’re one in the same. Abby was my publicist. Still runs a firm uptown.”
My heart skipped a beat, and I flashed Nick a quick look. I was surprised he was being so open about it. I would have thought he’d want to keep that piece of information to himself. Try to pass me off as some kind of heiress who was only working for the experience. Who didn’t really need the money, but was charmed by the novelty of the whole thing.
But Nick was staring at me with a peculiar little smile. One that I’d never seen before. He flashed me a wink when he saw me staring, then squeezed me closer with that same little grin. It was then that I realized something I would have never thought was possible.
He was proud to be seen with me. In this room full of congressmen, actresses, and kings—he felt as though I was the asset. I was the prize.
At a second glance, his smile looked adorably smug.
I dropped my eyes, blinking incredulously at the floor, while both the mayor and his wife exchanged a knowing smile. They’d seen Nick with women before. But never quite like this.
“Well the two of you make a lovely couple,” Evelyn murmured, giving my hand an extra squeeze as they made their goodbyes. “We’ll have to have you over to the estate sometime.”
“That would be wonderful,” I answered shyly. It was the first sentence I had managed since the two of them walked over. “It was such a pleasure meeting you both.”
“Likewise,” the mayor clapped Nick on the shoulder with a conspiratorial wink, “you did good, kid. We’ll see you soon.?
??
“Take care, George.”
They left to make the rounds and Nick turned his eyes back to the fight, but I was still frozen in place. I knew Nick 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.”
Nick 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.