Key Witness by Christy Barritt

forth between them. “You know.”
    “Don’t be. The past is the past.” And better a brief period of unhappiness than an entire lifetime. She couldn’t believe that she’d actually thought the two of them could have a future. She’d lost her sensibilities and vowed to never do that again. Which was why she needed to tamp down her attraction to Mark Denton. They were professionals who were forced to work together and nothing more. No repeat mistakes when it came to relationships.
    Preston’s eyes turned serious, and any hint of a smile disappeared. “I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
    “You don’t have to explain to me. Really.” In fact, please don’t. Especially not now.
    He stared at her another moment before nodding and shoving his hands into his pockets. “Okay then. I guess I’ll see you around?”
    Elle forced a smile. “Yeah, maybe.”
    As soon as he stepped away, Denton leaned toward her, close enough that they could talk without anyone else hearing. “You really dodged a bullet with him.”
    She blinked in surprise at his unexpected words. “What are you talking about?”
    “He defines smarmy. Not the marrying type. Not the type I would even trust in business, for that matter.”
    “You could tell that in the few minutes you heard him talking?”
    He stepped back and looked her in the eye. “I think he wanted you to look jealous or heartbroken, Elle. I don’t know who I feel sorrier for—him or his fiancée.”
    Elle grinned. “I like you, Mark Denton. My dad picked a great bodyguard.”
    Denton extended his arm. “Shall we mingle?”
    “If we must.”
    * * *
    Denton had spent the past hour perfecting the act of being the debonair escort of a senator’s daughter. He’d stayed by Elle’s side, ever the faithful bodyguard. As the night wore on, Elle seemed to relax and enjoy herself more.
    Funny, Denton felt the opposite. As the evening drew on, his worry grew.
    As Elle paused to talk with someone else, he scanned the area around them. He couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but something felt off. Was he missing something?
    His sweep of the room didn’t give him any answers. Everyone appeared normal as they nibbled on their food, sipped from their stemware and put on airs with each other. A string quartet played soothing strands in the corner. The smell of expensive perfumes mingled with the savory scent of meatballs and chicken teriyaki.
    He glanced down at Elle as she spoke, her hands flying through the air as she explained a story to the couple whose eyes were riveted on her. In the dim light, there was something about her that seemed softer than usual. She said she wasn’t in her element here, but she looked like a natural as she rubbed elbows with some of the state’s most elite citizens.
    “You never did introduce us.” The middle-aged redhead Elle spoke with glanced up at him with a grin. “Who’s this handsome gentleman?”
    Denton couldn’t be certain, but Elle’s cheeks may have reddened. Again. He was sure Elle considered blushing a curse, but he found it tantalizing. Her hand fluttered toward him, coming to rest on his forearm. They’d had this conversation several times already this evening, and Elle seemed more comfortable now with the script. “This is Mark Denton.”
    The woman’s eyes lit up, and her head twisted in exaggerated surprise. “It’s so good to see you dating again, Elle. I wasn’t sure you ever would after Preston.”
    Elle’s smile slipped, and she opened her mouth before quickly shutting it again.
    He slipped his arm around her waist. “Sometimes you have to go through a couple bad relationships to make you realize what a good one looks likes.” He winked. “Right, Elle?”
    Her cheeks definitely reddened this time before she forced a smile. “Right.” She cleared her throat. “Den—I mean, Mark, this is Annabelle Wentworth. She and her family are some of my dad’s biggest supporters.”
    “We just love Senator Philips. We think of him