Joanne contd.
No matter how many events or parties I’ve attended with Hardy, the rush of anxiousness brought on by the onlookers always seems to get the best of me, and I always end myself wrapping my arms tightly around his.
Hardy looked down at me and then ag our linked arms, before breathing out a sigh.
“There’s nothing to feel nervous about,” Hardy said , a low grumble in his chest.
“Say that again but this time stare back at everyone gazing at us”
“Just breathe. Don’t be dramatic” Hardy pressed, making my eyebrows flinch at his words.
If this was Theodore or someone other than Hardy, they would have said something to make me feel better or any woman they were with at that moment, But hardy? Hardy is difficult, just like his name.
I don’t think I can ever believe Hardy was nice before Lisa’s death.
Someone like him can never be nice.
I didn’t realize I was glaring at him until he scoffed.
“Keep looking at me like that and you’ll ruin our reputation”
“The only reputation you have is being mean” I muttered very low he barely heard me.
The party seemed like any rich party, with low and almost fading music and chatters above it. You could hear the clinking of wine glasses and if you don’t squint, you might get blinded by these ladies dresses.
And I thought the silver dress on me was blinding.
A waiter passed us by offering us shots from his tray. And as much as I wanted one, I’d be dead if the baby in me died.
Hardy for some reason declined too and the waiter left.
The moment he left we were approached by two unfamiliar men.
Well unfamiliar to me but Hardy knew them.
And he looked like he would rather jump from a cliff than talk to these men.
Both of them looked like they just walked out of a fancy house from the 19th century and the tall one with glasses would look pretty cute if he didn’t have his squirrel tail mustache. The short one who wasn’t entirely short but compared to his friend will be considered short, is alright. His tie just looked like it had a wardrobe malfunction.
“And this must be Joanne, your fiancé…” The tall one began, and I almost ran out of the room thinking he fixed a squirrel on his face, but had to remind myself it was just his mustache.
“Do you expect me to hold another woman?” Hardy retorted rudely and goodness, He is tiring.
“I am just asking Hardy don’t be this way, I’ve heard so much about her from Ruby”
Oh Ruby, then I guess this must be Spenser who is engaged to her, the same guy that Sasha wanted.
I could see why they would fight over him, if he would lose that squirrel on his face. He is really nice looking.
“You must be Spenser” I beamed.
“Classic… looks like she’s heard of me too” Spenser beamed and we passed a warm handshake.
“You’re really pretty in person, beyond the descriptions Ruby laid down” He smiled.
Okay that was… nice.
“Thank you” I couldn’t help but blush.
“Take a picture it would last” Hardy chimed in and I almost wanted to take the heels on my shoes and smack those soft lips of his.
“I’m not really that famous, but I’m sure you’ve heard of me, I’m Xavier” He pushed his hand forward for a handshake.
Chloe’s husband.
“Of course I have” I took his hand and our shake ended the moment it began.
So clearly Ruby and Chloe are here, Hardy mentioned three of the ladies from the gazebo will be here, I know it’s not Aneesa , cause Jeff would have caged Hardy. Whoever it is, I don’t want to meet any of the ladies here tonight, if it is not the gazebo.
Spenser and Xavier left after trying to force conversations with Hardy which died down immediately, so they had no choice but to leave, knowing how impossible Hardy could be.
“I should go say Hello to the host, he’s a good friend of mine” Hardy cleared his throat unlinking our arms.
“You have friends?” I snorted and got a glare from him.
“Yes, the Type that is not dramatic” He snarled.
I rolled my eyes knowing he was referring to me.
“I feel sorry for your friends already” I shook my head.
He didn’t say anything but just continued to give me his dark glare .
“Anyways go help yourself out with anything, parties like this are so lame” He sighed, adjusting his tie.
“You can’t leave me alone the stares from th-
“I’ll be back before you know it. Drama queen” He interrupted me before walking away, leaving me completely speechless
Oh boy,
How I wanted to really take off the billion dollar heels he got me and shove both pair into his mouth.
Standing alone, I decided not to give myself crazy attention and immediately moved to a table filled With all sorts of pastries and vegetables. Who the hell eats vegetables at a party?
And with the huge carrot on the table, dangerously staring at me, I could feel my skin bringing out furs and bunny teeth.
I moved completely to the pastries section which was at the end of the table and started to help myself with some cream buns .
And my gosh it tasted so good.
My ears twitched when I heard Hardy’s name over the low music and I stopped chewing to eavesdrop on whoever was speaking behind me.
-“Hardy?”
-“Yes Hardy bensimon, he is rude as fuck”
I nodded to myself agreeing with the poor ladies behind. But I didn’t stop listening.
-“He’s rude, but being among the richest here he is highly respected and his money literally runs his ego”
-“just because he’s rich and good looking doesn’t mean he has to be rude”
-“But let’s be honest, that side of him is a bit charming. I think I’m broken but I find cold hearted guys charming”
I almost spitted out the cream bun in my mouth.
Poor girls.
-“If I had bumped into him like you did, I would have done something, touch his face, body anything”
They both laughed
-“You’re married, Lydia. Get real; I heard he brought his fiancé here tonight. ”
I jolted up at their words, completely backing them as neatly as possible, and then stuffing my face with the next cream bun in my hand and a vanilla ice cream cake.
-“way to go, I don’t know who she is… but I feel sorry for her, I heard she’s just acting like a rebound because he’s not entirely over Lisa, his ex wife”
-“I don’t blame him, loneliness would have haunted him so bad, and I guess his new fiancé must have spread her legs and opened her darn mouth when Hardy approached her, he’s so good looking and wealthy, no woman would be picky when it comes to him”
Okay they’re going a bit too far.
Open my darn legs and mouth? I should probably turn around and throw a cake on their pretty faces.
“You emptied the cream-bun’s tray”
I heard an unfamiliar thick masculine voice that caught me off guard.
I looked up and took in a tall man with the perfect jaw and hair staring down at his perfect teeth and chestnut eyes.
“What?” I muffled, with cake in my hand still a bit confused.
“I was hoping I’d get the cream buns before anyone would, but looks like you ate them all and I’m too late”
He looked like he would genuinely cry because I finished the cream buns.
What was I supposed to do? They were really tasty and there were just three of them.
He’s saying I finished it like I ate a hundred.
I forced-swallowed the cake in my mouth and breathed out an apology.
“Sorry, there was just one left, I couldn’t help it. Cream buns are one of my most favorite things in the world” I grabbed a tiny piece of cake.
He smiled, a soft smile that displayed his pearly teeth.
“It’s okay, I understand and second to the fact that they’re really tasty. I love it too”
“Would you like to have cake then, it’s good”
I picked a small tray up, offering it to him.
“Not a fan of cake, maybe carrot cake but no… I’ll pass”
“Carrot cake? I don’t mean to sound rude but eww” I shuddered, dropping the tray of cake.
He laughed.
“I get that a lot”
“Well, you can help yourself out at the other end of the table with those huge carrots, you have pretty good teeth. One bite and I promise it’ll feel just like cake” I winked at him, getting tired of eating already.
He bursted out laughing, this time his laugh filled the air that it got a few attention.
“I’m sorry what?” He gawked at me, still trying to contain his laugh
“I was joking,” I added.
“I know, you’re pretty funny, you know that.?”
I shrugged.
“Hey, I’m Kaleb with a K. How come I don’t see you around. Are you new to the city?”
I shook my head.
“Joanne with a J and yes I am Kind of new” I nodded.
“That explains it, everyone in this city has a dead sense of humor, it’s nice to see someone different” He beamed.
I laughed. “Tell me about it”
“And you kinda have uh… cream at the corner of your lips” He gestured with his hand.
“Oh,” was all I could say as I tried to reach for it but he beat me to it, wiping my mouth with his thumb.
“Oh, thanks” I said , a little too awkwardly.
“It’s nothing,” He nodded.
“And what the fuck was that?” Hardy’s voice made me flinch and when I snapped my head, I saw him standing in front of Kaleb and I, and he was not looking happy.
.
.
*