irrelevant. You are by far and away the most gorgeous woman here tonight and I know you won’t believe it but you have the eyes of everyone attending this party on you. You’re in vintage designer—classier and striking. They can’t compete.’
How on Earth could Oscar know the fashion industry so well? Defensive and determined to fit in, Katy wanted to cry over her old designer labels even though she knew he’d complimented her. Standing out from the crowd wasn’t her intention—blending in and feeling at ease was.
Doing the rounds of the important people related to the charity, Oscar introduced Katy. going out of his way to include her in conversations. Social obligations fulfilled, he suggested they tuck into the barbeque. However delicious it was, however enormous her appetite after a day of sports, Katy refused. Oscar couldn’t disguise his shock.
‘Are you kidding? After all that pizza you pigged out on, you’re now claiming not to be hungry. Why? You said you loved the outdoors today and barbeque ribs were top of your menu. Why the change of heart?’
His rattling set her nerves on edge.
‘Oscar,’ she whispered in his ear, ‘If I hit the grill like a hog, it’s likely I’ll be bloated and tired. I’d rather save my energy for when we get home. I’ve always preferred desserts to mains anyway.’
It was a complete lie, but he took the line. Heaping his plate, Oscar surreptitiously told Katy he was consuming calories to burn off and expend some serious energy later.
Mingling effortlessly, the women were overly familiar as Hampton regulars. None of them ate. All were concerned about their figures and more so that an extra dollop of ketchup falling from a bun might spoil an outfit. Networking, the men stopped to introduce themselves to Oscar. Remaining friendly he made it clear he was off duty.
Oscar insisting on a toilet break before driving home, left Katy alone in the crowd of well meaning, flush charity supporters. As she inched towards the women, whether deliberate or not, they broke into cliques. Groups of two or three, with body language preventing anyone new from entering the conversations.
She hadn’t realized how stiff she was, until Oscar’s arm snaked round her hip.
‘Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t have a migraine? Your skin feels cold even though it’s warm.’
The frost off the army of ice queens had affected Katy.
‘No. I’m fine. I just want to be at home with you.’
That wasn’t a line to shut him up. It was exactly what she wanted and needed.
Traveling home was as silent as it had been driving over. Katy almost snorted at the irony that she’d been petrified of saying the wrong thing or clumsy in conversation with the deepest pockets and fattest wallets of the Hamptons. In reality at no point did a situation requiring her to converse solo with the attendants present itself.
Not for the want of trying. As she dissected the evening she realized, whatever label, whatever acting skills, money can’t buy you class . Everyone saw through her. It was only Oscar with his rose-colored spectacles who was unable to out Katy for what he already knew she was.
‘I hate seeing you in this state,’ whispered Oscar.
‘What state?’
Parking underneath the cabin, Katy stared straight ahead to prevent her eyes welling.
‘Hurt. Disappointed.’
‘Life can be like that sometimes. It’s a hard lesson to learn.’
‘It’s a hard to hear that from the mouth of someone who’s only twenty-three.’
‘Being young doesn’t mean I’m incapable of perceiving how society works, where we all sit or what our roles are. Fight it. Rail against it. You’ll never be able to remove the label placed on you at birth. No matter if you work hard and strive to get ahead, there will always be someone to remind you who and what you really are and where your place is.’
‘Did someone say something to you while I was in the bathroom?’
‘No. It was strange. I don’t know if
How on Earth could Oscar know the fashion industry so well? Defensive and determined to fit in, Katy wanted to cry over her old designer labels even though she knew he’d complimented her. Standing out from the crowd wasn’t her intention—blending in and feeling at ease was.
Doing the rounds of the important people related to the charity, Oscar introduced Katy. going out of his way to include her in conversations. Social obligations fulfilled, he suggested they tuck into the barbeque. However delicious it was, however enormous her appetite after a day of sports, Katy refused. Oscar couldn’t disguise his shock.
‘Are you kidding? After all that pizza you pigged out on, you’re now claiming not to be hungry. Why? You said you loved the outdoors today and barbeque ribs were top of your menu. Why the change of heart?’
His rattling set her nerves on edge.
‘Oscar,’ she whispered in his ear, ‘If I hit the grill like a hog, it’s likely I’ll be bloated and tired. I’d rather save my energy for when we get home. I’ve always preferred desserts to mains anyway.’
It was a complete lie, but he took the line. Heaping his plate, Oscar surreptitiously told Katy he was consuming calories to burn off and expend some serious energy later.
Mingling effortlessly, the women were overly familiar as Hampton regulars. None of them ate. All were concerned about their figures and more so that an extra dollop of ketchup falling from a bun might spoil an outfit. Networking, the men stopped to introduce themselves to Oscar. Remaining friendly he made it clear he was off duty.
Oscar insisting on a toilet break before driving home, left Katy alone in the crowd of well meaning, flush charity supporters. As she inched towards the women, whether deliberate or not, they broke into cliques. Groups of two or three, with body language preventing anyone new from entering the conversations.
She hadn’t realized how stiff she was, until Oscar’s arm snaked round her hip.
‘Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t have a migraine? Your skin feels cold even though it’s warm.’
The frost off the army of ice queens had affected Katy.
‘No. I’m fine. I just want to be at home with you.’
That wasn’t a line to shut him up. It was exactly what she wanted and needed.
Traveling home was as silent as it had been driving over. Katy almost snorted at the irony that she’d been petrified of saying the wrong thing or clumsy in conversation with the deepest pockets and fattest wallets of the Hamptons. In reality at no point did a situation requiring her to converse solo with the attendants present itself.
Not for the want of trying. As she dissected the evening she realized, whatever label, whatever acting skills, money can’t buy you class . Everyone saw through her. It was only Oscar with his rose-colored spectacles who was unable to out Katy for what he already knew she was.
‘I hate seeing you in this state,’ whispered Oscar.
‘What state?’
Parking underneath the cabin, Katy stared straight ahead to prevent her eyes welling.
‘Hurt. Disappointed.’
‘Life can be like that sometimes. It’s a hard lesson to learn.’
‘It’s a hard to hear that from the mouth of someone who’s only twenty-three.’
‘Being young doesn’t mean I’m incapable of perceiving how society works, where we all sit or what our roles are. Fight it. Rail against it. You’ll never be able to remove the label placed on you at birth. No matter if you work hard and strive to get ahead, there will always be someone to remind you who and what you really are and where your place is.’
‘Did someone say something to you while I was in the bathroom?’
‘No. It was strange. I don’t know if
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