AMB~she~OUS

FORTY ONE

"Do we have to host such events for me to finally get to see my own husband?"

"Now that I have so much free time, I'm realizing that there is a lot I've always wanted to do. I apologize, shall I set a dinner date next week?" He didn't sound very apologetic if you ask me.

"No no, it's alright. Alex and I have plans anyway." I shrugged, seemingly unbothered by how he was spending his free time, I wasn't in any position to judge.

"The Daniels. Katherine looking lovely as ever." Trevor spoke from behind us.

"You flatter me, Mr. Dawson." I laughed and nodded to the woman beside him. There was never any exchange of pleasantries between Erin and I, it was like an unspoken rule.

"I'm a pretty honest man Katherine. With that being said, allow me to congratulate you on the success of this new hotel, you worked really hard."

I felt a sense of pride fill me, he was the first person besides Craig to congratulate me personally.

"I told you she was worth the investment." Craig said with a laugh.

"Seems you were right."

"Katherine, could you join me? If we stand here any longer our ears will fall off from all the business talk." Erin said surprising all of us, it wasn't a secret that she wasn't my biggest fan.

"Umm okay?" I had never been alone with her, I wasn't sure what to expect.

"Gentlemen, if you excuse us." She said prompting me to follow her but not before I heard Trevor whisper to her to play nice.

"There are people I want you to meet." She said dryly.

"What brought this on?" I didn't bother to hide the fact that I found this suspicious.

"Maybe you are starting to grow on me." She shrugged off nonchalantly.

I doubted that very much but didn't say anything, I just tailed after her.

"Ladies." Erin called out to a group of women clustered around a small table, I had no doubt they were exchanging the latest gossip.

"Erin, how delightful of you to join us." An elderly woman turned towards us with a huge grin on her face. I recognized her, as a matter of fact, I knew all the ladies in that group.

"I wouldn't miss the gossip for the world. Have you met Mrs. Daniels?"

"Ah, she looks even prettier up close. Glad to finally meet you, Mrs. Daniels, I'm Harriet Johnson and this is Bianca Blanche and Yolanda Turner but I have a feeling you already knew that." She stepped forward offering her hand.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Johnson, your husband speaks highly of you."

"Oh? That old man is still a charmer." She giggled before pulling my hand and dragging me into the center of her little clique.

I gave myself a mental pat on the back, flattering her had been easier than I thought.

"So we finally get to meet Craig's new wife." Bianca spoke eyeing me up and down.

"Well she is a busy woman, she is part of the reason why this night turned out so exceptional." Erin spoke causing my jaw to drop. In the few years I had known her, this was the nicest thing she had ever said about me. I was immediately more suspicious.

"Mmm mmm seems so, Craig clearly has a type." Bianca snickered beside me.

"You are not wrong, it's always the ambition-hungry ones but ohh what trouble they are." Yolanda chimed in earning a nod of affirmation from Bianca.