Like Jazz by Heather Blackmore Page A

nodded and continued on his way.
    Preston held out a glass of champagne to me. “For you, my dear.”
    “No, thank you.” It would be just my luck to have the police storm the place at that very moment and ruin the entire event because they inadvertently served alcohol to a minor. That would be a great start to meeting Sarah’s father and patching things up with her.
    “Please.” Preston pressed. He was aptly named.
    I shook my head and crossed my arms in front of my waist to thwart any attempt by him at forcing a glass into my hand. “I don’t drink.”
    “Of course. My apologies.” Preston bowed his head slightly and placed the drinks on a nearby table.
    To avoid further interaction, I took the opportunity of his finally being out of my personal space to make my move. As he re-approached, I nodded and pivoted away from him.
    “It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Butterfield, but if you’ll excuse me, I—”
    Instead of allowing me to slip by, Preston grabbed my hand. He placed his arm around my waist and steered me away from the dining tables toward one of the balconies overlooking the city.
    “Please, Cassidy. Call me Preston. I’d be honored if you would allow me to be your escort this evening, at least until you find your date.”
    I stopped allowing myself to be pushed toward the window. He wasn’t making it easy. I had to literally twist my body to move out of his grip in order to stop our momentum.
    “Preston, that’s very kind of you, but I really do need to find my friend. She’s expecting me.” I’m sure the smile I’d plastered on my face appeared as fake as it felt.
    He didn’t seem to notice. Rather, his face lit up at the pronoun. He placed his hands in front of him, palms up and toward me, in a gesture of mock defeat. “Tell you what.” He dropped his hands. “Describe her to me, and we’ll search for her together.”
    The idea of describing Sarah to this asshole held no appeal. Even the thought of him seeing her made me slightly nauseous. If he purported to be this interested in me, he’d surely need the handkerchief from his tuxedo jacket pocket to capture the drool he’d manufacture upon seeing Sarah in whatever dress she was wearing tonight.
    “I’m sure I’ll find her, but thank you.”
    Preston slid his arm around my waist and once again tried to steer me forward. “Nonsense. It’s the least I can do.”
    No. The least you could do is keep your damned hands to yourself.
    I stopped our forward progress. “No. Thank you.” There was an unfamiliar edge to my voice. I pushed his arm off me. I wasn’t smiling even fake smiles anymore.
    I heard a man bellow from a few yards away. “Ah, there you are, Preston!” Preston and I turned to face the newcomer. In step behind the approaching, extremely handsome, dark-haired man was Sarah. The man grabbed Preston’s hand in a firm, double-handed shake and forced Preston’s attention to him. “Your father swore you were milling about. Come, we were just talking about you.”
    As my good-looking savior physically pushed Preston into the crowd, behind Preston’s back he surreptitiously gestured the cut-off sign at his neck while rolling his eyes at me, finally waving to me in a manner that said he’d ensure I’d be safe from Preston hereafter. As they departed, Sarah slid up next to me and purposefully led me into the ladies’ room. We entered a makeup and lounge area that was separated from the stalls and sinks.
    “Are you all right?” Sarah turned me around and eyed me with concern.
    I was not all right. I was in a mild state of shock. Seeing Sarah brought about a wave of relief and anger. She’d purposefully put me in a position she knew I’d be uncomfortable with, yet she’d not only forewarned me about the possibility of a Preston-like encounter, she’d saved me from it. Well, she and that man who’d whisked Preston away. I didn’t know whether to yell at her or hug her.
    To further befuddle me, she looked like a