Page 46 of The Artist

Peter removed his hand from over hers, grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and handed it to her.Then he snatched one up for himself before the waiter sauntered away.

Alexis took a sip of the champagne hoping it would calm her nerves.She was so afraid she would do something to embarrass Peter.She took another sip and looked up at him with widened eyes.“This is very good.It’s unlike any champagne I’ve had before.”

He laughed.“I should hope so.This is real champagne from France.I don’t even know how much I paid.”

“You paid for it?”

He nodded and smiled.“Yes, it’s part of my donation.I arrange for the ball every year and always start the donations off with one of my own.”

“Why?Why do you do all of this?”She waved her arm around to take in the entire room.

“Because I had a dear friend die from the disease.He admittedly didn’t take care of himself properly, but he shouldn’t have died.This disease is horrible because it’s silent.Too few people know they have it until a blood test confirms it and most people don’t get the blood test except at a physical and few actually get a physical every year.”

“I suppose that is true.I haven’t had one in years.”

His mouth flattened.“See what I mean?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s dance shall we?Doing so will get other couples to join us.”He chuckled.“No one wants to be the first to start dancing, in case they look silly.Since they know I can’t dance to save my life, they might take a chance.”He put an arm around her waist and began to sway, while still holding his champagne glass.

She placed her left hand around his neck, still holding her champagne glass in her right hand, and swayed with him.

A waiter walked up to them.“I think you’ll dance better with no glasses.”

“Very true.Thank you, young man,” said Peter.Then he wrapped both arms around her and pulled her flush with his body.“This is nice.I’ve wanted to have you in my arms for a while now.”

As shiver went down her spine as his words thrilled her.With both arms around his neck, she leaned back in his embrace, trusting he wouldn’t drop her.She looked up at him, his words hitting a spot in her heart she hadn’t felt beat in a long time.“You have?I would have helped you had I known.”

He chuckled.“We’re quite the pair.”

“That we are.”

They danced and drank champagne and danced some more until it was time for him to give a speech.

He walked to the front of the room to the podium on a raised platform.Then he tapped the microphone.“Is this on?”He saw everyone turn his way.“I want to thank you all for attending our little fundraiser for diabetes, tonight.I know I can count on you to all give generously.I had a dear friend, named Steve Colter.He had juvenile diabetes and passed away from it five years ago.That’s when I started this fundraiser.It’s so much more than just a reason to get dressed up.This money could be the money that funds the research leading to a breakthrough and a cure for this diabolical disease.I want to remind all of you to get checked every year for this silent killer.Now, get out those checkbooks and get to writing checks to support this research.Thank you.”

Peter returned to her side.

“That was a wonderful speech and I saw lots of people reaching for their checkbooks.I hope it’s a banner year for your ball.”

“Thank you.From your beautiful lips to God’s ears.”He put his arms around her waist.”I wish I could do more than just hold you and dance with you.

“Then what are we waiting for?Is there any reason you need to stay until the end?”

He shook his head.“No, there really isn’t.My treasurer is collecting the donations.I’m just window dressing now.”He grabbed her hand.“Let’s get out of here.”He placed a call to his driver and had him come around to the front of the Convention Center.

Before they could escape, a woman approached them.She was about thirty, based on her face, though she wore enough make-up for three people.

“Peter,” she lifted her hand to him.

He released Alexis to kiss the knuckles of the woman’s hand.“Valerie.I’m glad you could make it.Who did you manage to find to escort you?I know you’re not with Mike anymore.”

She lifted a brow.“Why I’m here with Zach Zaharius, your treasurer.But you must tell me who this little treat is beside you.I’ve never seen her in our circles before although she does look a little familiar.”

“This is Alexis Armstrong of the Armstrong Gallery in Aspen.”

“Ah, yes.I stopped in there last year and you waited on me.I didn’t buy anything.The art was just so…ordinary.”